ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH KENNY SEYMOUR 

Being on the road and performing is something we’ve done all our lives but once in awhile, you have a special engagement that is so rewarding (and I’m not talking monetarily) – emotionally rewarding. Well, Tanner Park in LI was one of those. 

Do you remember a fellow I talked about in previous columns – Kenny Seymour? Well, when we last saw Kenny he was so happy to see us and he was trying to get healthy. He surprised us with a visit to one of our concerts last Friday, Babylon, L.I. – Tanner Park. Kenny is confined to a wheelchair and still suffers the effects of a devastating stroke he had several years back. It did not stop him though and we love him for it. 

Kenny, his former wife, his son and their grandchild were in attendance and we were so delighted to see Kenny at the gig. I wanted to specially thank the Medivac unit for transporting Kenny and without their able-bodied assistance Kenny would not have been able to navigate the crowds and the rough terrain of the park itself.  

We love Kenny and seeing him at one of our shows again was profusely touching. Even more touching was to see Kenny smile – that is a priceless thing, man. Months and months ago we went to visit Kenny in the assisted care center and we were told he was non-responsive. The medical attendants were knocked on their rumps when Kenny forced himself to talk upon seeing us standing there. Kenny thought we had forgotten him and when he realized we were there, his faith was restored. 

Bravo Kenny and thank you for coming to see us. We know that it took a lot and we will always love you. On top of that, The Imperials and I will always proclaim how much you contributed of your musical genius to the successful career of LA&TIs.  

I, for one, would have never known how to execute musically the use of the four-part-harmony notes if it were not for your teaching and direction. Bravo Kenny again! I pray that Kenny received as much from that visit as much as we did Kenny. Kenny, you did so much for us and we’ll be there for you, man – please know that. 

LITTLE ANTHONY IN THE PARK – 12,000 AND COUNTING  

The Imperials and I love that our group is a “people’s group”. Everywhere we go we have long-time friends and they help us at our concerts. We particularly like doing “free concerts” and although the weather is a looming factor, a live free concert is a guaranteed good time for the audience and in our case, the group. This past weekend (Friday and Saturday) we performed in front of approximately 12,000 people: 4000 at Tanner Park in Babylon, L.I. and then over 8000 people at the town park in Lyndhurst, NJ.  

Let’s face, things are still tough out there with unemployment high and foreclosures hanging over our heads, a free concert can clear the air for a little while, anyway. We prefer to do shows like these when we can because they put you back in touch with your audience. Maybe it is a summer thing but whatever it is, I don’t recall LA&TIs drawing that many people in some time. We must be doing something right.  

To all those who attended Tanner Park and Lyndhurst, thank you for being there for us. I still can’t get over it – 12,000 people. I can still hear the thunderous applause and my hand hurts from all those after-show autographs. It was a hurt though that put a smile on my face and that lasted as we flew home to Vegas. 

THE INCOMPARABLE DENIECE WILLIAMS 

There we all were sitting in a hotel near Newark Airport and we were in the midst of a pre-production meeting to finalize the upcoming “You’ll Never Know Tour” with our special guest Deniece Williams. Now, I have to give the promoter credit. He flew in Deniece, Clarence, me, lighting people, sound and stage managers so we could all brain-storm. This very rarely happens and half the time in meeting like this, they expect you to wing it. Wrong. Today, you have to plan everything and promote it accordingly. 

Deniece, like me, is a perfectionist and I like her style. She speaks her mind and her input was immensely valued. It was one of the best production meetings I’ve had and we were able to lay out the whole concert production in a day’s time. The “You’ll Never Know Tour” with our special guest Deniece Williams begins in Charlotte, NC on Sept. 4^th.  

These meetings also allowed me a creative gateway with which I could express my musical dreams. I see Little Anthony & The Imperials and a new beginning for us. It excites me and I can see how we are passing through a star-gate – in previous columns I referred to it as a “portal”. You see the plan is to have Deniece perform and then invite me to join her. Then when The Imperials and I are on stage, Deniece will join us. Our duets will be show-stoppers man – you wait and see. 

The whole process of this production is like waking from a deep creative sleep. We are moving away from oldies gigs and doo wop shows on purpose. The Imperials and I want to do our shows the way real entertainers do, in my opinion. Sitting there in the meeting next to Deniece, I realized she was looking to do the same. You gotta give them a show to remember and that is what we are aiming to do. 

I was stimulated by the meeting and the more we all talked, the more nailed down it became. As Deniece and I discussed plans for our songs, the lighting, sound, staging, etc. with Peter Gallo, I realized just how creative Deniece is. It’s a show only creative artists could create. Now, it is challenging to put a show like this together. It’s a big production but that is what it is all about. Deniece was right on target and her input made me realize, it is now a growing reality (and a whole lot of fun). 

The “You’ll Never Know Tour” is a large production composed of a 25 piece orchestra, stage people, trucks, buses, roadies and an ancillary crew. Now you all know I love tour buses and we have 3 of the best all lined up. There is talk of us going to Europe and Australia. Well, that maybe but right now, going down South is first and foremost. Once we do a concert or two, we can fine-tune it to our specifications. We’re on a roll……. 

AN NEWS ICON NAMED WALTER CRONKITE 

Like everyone, I was saddened to hear the death of Walter Cronkite. This guy was the best TV journalist ever and his credibility, to the day he died, was immense. He, at one point, was the “most trusted name in TV news”. For me, he personified the glory days of CBS News and without a doubt set the benchmark for TV new journalists (along with Edward R. Morrow). Today’s newscasters are pale by comparison. 

I could go on naming his accomplishments. I can say how I vividly remember how Mr. Cronkite cried on TV upon confirming the death of President Kennedy. I still recall the rebroadcast of the newsreels showing Walter on the beach at D-Day. I can still hear his distinctive voice saying “that’s the way it was”. Or how horrified Washington was when Cronkite declared Viet Nam as a loss during one particularly poignant newscast.  

Walter Cronkite brought the news into our homes and we trusted him. Cronkite avoided the celeb nonsense and felt he had the duty to report the news fairly. His newscasts were by the people and for the people. There will never be another “Walter Cronkite”.  

In fact, a distinguished journalist like Walter just might have a tough time with 21^st century news programming and its desire to be “TV voyeurs”. Walter’s TV reality though helped us shape our morality and furthered our standing views towards free speech. Walter was the most respected newsman of his generation and his cryptic yet home-style commentaries paved worldly paths we tried to follow.  

Good night Mr. Cronkite and good luck, as Edward R Morrow might say. And if I can add one thing, thank you Walter for enlightening us. You were there daily in our living rooms night after night and “the silence” now is out of respect and admiration.  

UNC-TV TO FILM DENIECE AND LITTLE ANTHONY LIVE 

The word has already leaked out so why shouldn’t I do so too? Deneice Williams and Little Anthony & The Imperials are filming their concert when it stops over in Myrtle Beach, SC. Sunday Sept. 13^th (Sunday) at the Palace Theatre. UNC-TV is filming our “You’ll Never Know” concert and sending it on to PBS later this year.  

I know that a number of our fans are disappointed the concert dates are all down South. So, we worked out a deal where the show will be broadcast and on DVD. Wait and see.