February '10 Entertainment—Little Anthony's This and That Column

A Salute To All Distinguished Gentleman And Vets

T
he Imperials and I had a very rewarding experience over the Valentine’s Day weekend. A couple of years ago, we started performing concerts for a volunteer group affiliated with the Veterans Administration. I have mentioned this group before but now that we just did another concert for them, I cannot help but talk about them again. The group is the Volunteer Hospitalized Veterans organization and the concert series is an initiative in progress headed up by Frank Cimorelli. This year there were 11 free concerts open to hospitalized vets and their respective families—“Valentines For Veterans.”

There we were on Valentine’s Day in snowy Baltimore, MD—the concert, “Valentines for Veterans”—Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Like the song “Let It Snow” says, “the weather outside was frightful” but inside, there was a loving feeling one that lifted the audience in a music and social delight. What really surprised me, most of all, was the sincere gratitude the wounded veterans displayed toward us. It warmed my heart, but I don’t know if vets realized how deeply it touched The Imperials and me.

I speak for The Imperials when I say this: you see, as we usually do, we have a “meet and greet” after the show where we have our CDs, sign autographs, sell our new tour booklet, T-shirts, etc.—all set up on a table. I used to think this was “so un-cool to do” but I was so wrong thinking that. It is an ideal way for us to meet our audience, chat a bit, autograph things, share memories and above all, be up close and personal. So, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a bunch of wounded veterans waiting to shake our hands most of them in wheelchairs. They were lined up waiting for us.

These vets had every kind of wound that a war can inflict on someone. As I passed them, I just had to stop there first before heading to the signing table. Sure there was a line of other people, not wounded, who were waiting patiently too. It dawned on me that I had to meet the wheelchair bound vets first, before anything. They were immediately important to me—more than some of the Washington dignitaries or representatives of the VA. I wanted the wounded vets to know they were “numero uno.”

These vets have given so much. Their injuries have changed their lives and being in a VA hospital can be an ongoing saga that may never end. Their sacrifices have allowed me and you the freedom to do what comes naturally. They gave their bodies to protect what we call “American.” I had to salute them and the purpose of this particular column item, is exactly that. It’s all about the hospitalized veterans and their supporters.

One of band members, Larry Puentes (our sax player) said something very profound and I want to share it with you. He said, “When you learn to read and write, you thank the teachers. When you read and write English, you thank a veteran.” Larry, I could not have said it better and since his sons are in Iraq and Afghanistan, he was speaking from his heart and his soul. So, to veterans countrywide (and to Larry’s sons), we salute you.

Volunteer Hospitalized Veterans Concert Initiative

To give you some history on the VHV, we started doing concerts for them over two years ago. Back then, the concert was in Prescott, AZ. I, for one, did not know (previously) of their organization and the great work they do voluntarily. I have immense respect and admiration for their volunteers and as I toured the VA hospital facility, my respect and admiration grew exponentially. They had me. I will do anything possible to help the VHV and the vets they take care of on any given day.

Now, two years later, they have not only befriended us, but they honored us with calling Little Anthony & The Imperials their founding group. Now, you must understand that the groups they book have to be R&B. The Chi-Lites, The Spinners and a bunch of other groups have all stepped up to the plate to perform. The concert initiative that started back then has grown and in 2011 there will be 15 concerts. I can tell you here and now, the guys and I plan on doing at least two of the V4V concerts, maybe three. Sure, all the groups are paid, but the real reward comes from giving those unheralded vets an entertainment break—a brief interlude they more than earned.
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

So along with saluting the hospitalized vets, I also salute the Volunteer Hospitalized Veterans organization. The Valentine’s Day afternoon concert in Baltimore was the best yet. Praise also has to be directed toward the work the VA Maryland Healthcare Systems accomplished. I know many knock the VA, but from my personal experience, they have hit a bulls-eye with their “V4V concerts.” Little Anthony & The Imperials are more than proud to lend our name and our talent to V4V for years to come.

In closing, we were able to get the VA concert initiative its first national news break. Our friend Mike McCann, CBS Radio did a great item for his “Hot Wax Fax” column on the concert series. The people at the VA could not thank us enough. I was stunned that their concerts were not covered by the media on a national level yet. You see, that is where we can help them as well. A little PR goes a long way in the world we live in and wait until next Valentine’s Day (and the concerts they are planning). I think I will contact our friends at CBS Sunday Morning and see if they will do a feature on the “V4V concerts” and their hospital volunteers.

On The Road Again (In Canada) 2010

Adlai Stevenson once said, “Saskatchewan is much like Texas—except it’s more friendly to the United States.” Things have changed since Adlai quipped on Canada. Canada has quietly stood its own ground. As an American, I might not like the cold Canadian winds of winter. But I sure like the people of Canada and to our fans, Little Anthony & The Imperials are heading back to Canada in April.

The Canadian mini-tour was organized by our manager Selwyn Miller and it is interesting to note: we are performing at some of the best performance rooms Canada has to offer. We are all in our late sixties—meaning Ernest, Clarence and me. Robert is younger but he sees it too. It’s sweet—I tell ya.

The guys and I know it is thanks to our performances on TV. The power and promotional ability of a TV performance like Letterman or “25th Anniversary of the Rock HOF” on HBO (and now DVD) is amazing to me and the guys. It is just great. For it to happen now—over 50 years later—how sweet it is.

Sure, we have performed in Canada for years, but now in 2010 our audiences and shows are new and old school combined. It is a blessing I have long prayed for—thank you all and to our fans in Canada, come see us.

The Canadian dates are as follows:

April
9–10—Niagara Fallsview Niagara Falls, ON

12—McPhillip Street Casino Winnipeg, ON

13—Mae Wilson Theatre Moose Jaw, SK

15—Casino Regina Regina, SK

16—Boulevard Casino Coquitlam, BC

Gimme Part Time Sympathy For The Economy—Please
The Rolling Stonesl

The Rolling Stones became really legendary after they recorded “Sympathy For The Devil.&rdquo It was controversial and eye-opening literary rock. “What is confusing you is the nature of my name—woo- woo”—is a lyric line that sticks with you. It made me think, that song is like the US economy—it is “in need of sympathy and it is confusing me.”

We are all feeling the sting of the economy—my family included. The future is looking bright and the guys and I can attest to that. However, there are too many people out of work—just too many. You can’t grow a civil population without jobs. You are losing Middle America and that is risky at best.

The economic wallop hit my home—two of my children Sarah and Daniel are both looking for a job. They want to further their careers here in Las Vegas. The job opportunities are slim or they’re who-you-know jobs.

Lots of people are trying to hold on or get a foothold taking part-time jobs. Daniel joined the Air Force Reserves where he is there weekends. I am proud of him. I am proud of Sarah and Daniel both for pursuing their American dreams. But the way the economy is now, and the way it is managed, the prospects seem to be—“ain’t ’nuff to go round.”

Las Vegas used to be “job abundant”—land of opportunityit’s not in 2010. I could not believe my ears when I heard President Obama state, “don’t spend your money vacationing and gambling in Las Vegas.” I know he was encouraging Americans to save, but without a growing and glowing Las Vegas, the whole country gets a little dimmer.

The Air Force reserve is a start in the right direction for Daniel and Sarah has taken a job as a baby-sitter. It is part-time, but it is moving in the direction they need to go. America is trying it part time, too, I think…I said this probably one too many times, “There is no shame in working at something that is not your career. The real shame is to be out of work.”

I believe that our economy will get better and Las Vegas will bounce back. I can see it starting to happen, but it is moving slowly. Financial institutions were saved first. Maybe that was necessary, but it has to trickle down to the guy on the street. So, it is jobs and they are still in “the lost-not-found column.” Las Vegas unemployment is over 13%.

Daniel and Sarah are both looking for jobs, and if there is an opening you might think they could step into, contact the editor at VCO or my email box on the VCO site.

Thanks for any job responses—it is appreciated. Sarah and Daniel are articulate, highly schooled, qualified and they are, son and daughter—interview either one of them and see for yourself. I’d like to help with the job problem here in Las Vegas and I thought I would start to help with “jobs begin at home”—if you know what I mean.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich Calling—Snow Dazed in DC

The Imperials and I are veterans too—still singing our asses off—and we have stories that would rival Tiger Woods, Bob Marley and Little Richard exploits. I’ll leave that right there—well until I have a book deal—shameless promotion—hardly.

Tiger Woods, Bob Marley, Little Richard

I don’t want to get off topic though—the point is The Imperials and I are all now family guys—fathers and grandfathers. As you get older, you think your peers have passed you by. Then it happens—the accolades (and audiences) we are getting in the last two or three years, are astounding. It is nice to be appreciated and applauded—we worked for it.

Last year we met Congressman Dennis Kucinich at the Agora and Rock HOF induction. He is big fan of LA&TIs—how cool is that? Politically, Congressman Kucinich and I might debate the issues. He is a fan though—for real, it surprised us. He contacted us backstage at Madison Square Garden to offer his congratulations again.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio

We had invited the Congressman to attend the “Valentine’s 4 Veterans” concert in Baltimore, but due to the snow, he was back in Cleveland. While Washington was snowed out and closed, Congressman Kucinich was back in Ohio working. So, we are working to reschedule something. It is part of our kinship to Cleveland and to almost all of Ohio.

We’re back in Cleveland soon—the historic Moon Dog concert is “a Cleveland event” we love doing. It’s more of a party than a concert. I love performing in Cleveland—always did. We used to perform at the legendary Casino with greats like Marvin Gaye and Smokey and then, the 2009 concert at the Agora was just great. The hospitality we receive in Cleveland is only rivaled by our fans in Las Vegas and New York.

We’ll catch up with Dennis (Congressman Kucinich) and let me tell you, scheduling can be problematical. We’re working on it and I’ll keep you posted.

Who would have ever thought DC and Baltimore would be snowed dazed? 48 inches is a lot of snow especially when you don’t have the equipment or the manpower to get it off the streets. Washington’s mayor is responsible, ultimately, but this too will melt.

I hope The Imperials and I brought our unique get-away R&B and comedy to the “Valentines 4 Veterans” concert in Baltimore. It is one of the things Little Anthony & The Imperials do best and the best is yet to come.