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

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Oh Canada—Mixing The Good News With The Bad

W

hen I say “Oh Canada” I mean it two ways: (1) the taxes there are huge (2) it is one of the most beautiful countries I have even been to.

The Imperials and I were doing a number of concerts and we crossed Canada man. We started at Niagara Falls and wound up in Vancouver a week and half later.

I don’t think in the whole world as we know, will you ever find better lakes and streams. They are pristine and sparkling and that sticks with you. There are mountains everywhere, man. Canada is one long 3-D picture postcard in real life.

I grew up in Brooklyn and Brooklyn was big to me (when I was say 12–13 years old), but the mountains in Canada are not only big, they are massive. The Empire State or the Brooklyn Bridge are lessened when you see, say the Canadian Rockies. Keep that painted vision of Canada because that is the good news.

The bad news is Canada has one of the highest tax rates. We’re getting paid to perform and it spells out to “income” in a country where taxes are 15%. “That ain’t no chicken feed.” It almost isn’t economically smart to tour Canada unfortunately. Live and learn, man, I love playing the Canadian casinos. We do not like turning down dates and disappointing our Canadian fans either. We just have to plan and route it a little better next year.

Here’s a little more bad news and what I say in this column, stays in this column. OK? I really enjoyed performing at all the casino shows except Moose Jaw—yes, you heard me, Moose Jaw. The name is like a “red flag” and that is a shame. I loved Bob Hope and Bing Crosby’s “Road To Utopia” and all their references to “Moose Jaw.” Not any more.

Casino Moose Jaw

When we booked the date that “red flag” should have been shaking in our faces. If it was, we didn’t see. It just goes to show you what a person trying to earn a buck will do nowadays. Moose Jaw was half attended and it rained on the “middle” of our parade.

We start with sell out nights at the Fallsview Casino—Canadian side of Niagara Falls. So the whole Canadian mini-tour jumps off on a real high note. The band and The Imperials and I were all feeling great—Moose Jaw was a “glitch” in the middle.

The mini-tour ended in Vancouver/Red Robinson Theater and it was just like Niagara Falls. Both venues were packed and we had standing ovations. It reminded me of what Sammy Davis Jr. used to say, “Start off big and end big—let the middle take care of itself.” It’s a better way but in this case, Moose Jaw was a bitter pill to swallow.

Red Robinson Theater

It took 10 days coast-to-coast: by plane, tour bus, rental cars and taxes. Now I know why Canadian healthcare is free. It is because their unemployment is through the roof and they’re taxed to the hilt. Maybe America could learn from Canada—you think?

Grandfather, Grandfather And The Las Vegas Hilton

I have two beautiful grand-daughters and I am glad that they are coming to visit Linda and me. This is a big week and I’m delighted they are here. You see, Little Anthony & The Imperials have never headlined the Las Vegas Hilton and I really don’t mean to go on about it. It is a milestone for me and the guys and a dream come true for me. I always wanted to headline the Las Vegas Hilton and on Friday April 30th it is a reality.

Ok, so I sound like a proud grandfather when I say the girls are gorgeous and so much fun to be around. It warms my heart. So, here they come and there are billboards all over Las Vegas featuring LA&TIs. If that doesn’t help my role-model status, nothing will. This is just great and once again, this is a first for the guys and me. The audiences we are drawing and a fairly bright touring season (in a depressed economy) is something I am thankful for in 2010.

So, here I am “Grandpa” and at the same time, we are the stars of Las Vegas this week. I can’t thank the Hiltons’ Rick Wright and the staff of the Hilton for being so accommodating and their fantastic hospitality. They are even giving out band members VIP treatment and maybe some people in the business, take that for granted, Little Anthony & The Imperials cannot thank you enough.

Baby Let Me Take You On A Sea Cruise—May 13th

Malt Shop Memories Cruise

My wife Linda and I are going on a sea cruise on the 13th of May—one of the Carnival Cruise Line ships—The Inspiration. OK, I have to sing, too and those passengers on the “Malt Shop Cruise” are in for a real treat. You see I get to rest and perform on stage. One benefits the other. I’m also gonna participate in maybe, I’ll host one of the shows and or assist as a couple “exchange their vows.”

My wife Linda is a sweetie and a romantic—I love that about her. So, when the tour company asked if we would participate in an “exchange of vows’ ceremony, Linda said, “Can we—I’d love that.” How can I refuse?

The real cruise benefit though is that Linda and I will get some personal time. There is nothing better than a cruise that stops in the Florida Keys and proceeds to Cozumel, Mexico. Add to it, you are with someone you want to be with—yeah, man.

We return on the 17th and let’s not forget performances by Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Lesley Gore, Lou Christie, The Platters and the Original Drifters, LA&TIs are in the right place and at the right time. Join us if you can—like I mentioned it is leaving Tampa on the 13th of May. If you’ve never taken a cruise you are doing yourself an injustice. Give it some thought and join us—as the announcer used to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, memories are made of this.”

Some Spring Dates

There is a standing joke with our band. They all read this column and they kid me that if it weren’t for my column they wouldn’t know where we were playing. You see, at one point a couple of year back, we would get late notices from our booking agent. We would have to scramble to get everyone airline tickets, hotels, transportation, the works. Things are different now but the joke is one we still laugh at. With that in mind, here are some upcoming concerts and yes, we are heading back East (our second home):

May 22 (Saturday) TD Bank Arts Centre, Sewell, NJ* (near Glassboro)

June 5 (Saturday) Performing Arts Center, Shippensburg, PA
June 11 (Friday) Tioga Downs, Nichols, NY

* across the river from Philadelphia

Rock Con: Weekend Of A Hundred Rock Stars

Clarence Collins and I were invited to join Rock Con: “Weekend Of A 100 Rock Stars” which will be held at the Sheraton Meadowlands in E. Rutherford, NJ. The “fan fest’ will begin on Friday, the 30th of July and run through to Sunday, Aug. 1st. Like I said, we’re coming back East and this particular event has grown since the tickets went on sale April 15th.

When we signed on (pardon the pun)—you know, autographs—a couple of groups we know were announced. Since then it has grown and some of the other “rock guests attending” include: Johnny Winter, Terry Sylvester of The Hollies, Marty Balin of The Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Jane Weidlin of The Go-Gos, Vince Martel of the Vanilla Fudge, Gene Cornish of The Rascals, Charlie Gracie, Tommy James, legendary promoter Sid Bernstein and our old buddy Clay Cole to name a few.

There will be meet-and-greets, photos, autographs, special performances, a rock market-place and a fun weekend for all attending. Sounds like a good way to spend a “day-cation” this summer.

The Imperials and I do autograph signings and meet-and-greets all the time but we have never spent a weekend doing so. It’s a special event and much more leisurely. To be with other “rock greats” is something I am looking forward to. We don’t get a chance to mix and mingle and having the fans join us, how great is that? Country stars do this regularly and it is long overdue rock stars did the same.

If you want more information click on NationalRockCon.com for details—tickets are reasonably priced I might add. Mark your calendar and we’ll see you there.