SABF News

sunday, march 7, 2010

The original rhondels bring back the 60s/70s frat party scene As they headline the revamped Humana oldies rock ‘n’ roll dance

So, where were you when you heard Bill Deal and the Rhondels the first time? At a kegger on Rugby Road in Charlottesville? At a frat party on Roanoke Street in Blacksburg? Or, maybe at the legendary Peppermint Beach Club in Virginia Beach? As the comfortable calm of the Post War Era drew to a close with the end of the “black-and-white” 1950s, the Swingin’ Sixties burst upon us as a dazzling, full-color montage of race and politics; of war and peace; of triumph and tragedy. Played out against this chaotic background was an absolute explosion of new life styles, new entertainment styles, new clothing and art and music. There were scenes for all tastes; and, at college fraternities and block parties and beach clubs all up and down the east coast, Virginia Beach’s own Bill Deal and the Rhondels were a dominant force in the new era. They played a diverse style of frat party and beach music mixed liberally with horn-oriented R&B and blue-eyed soul that played out well for laid-back crowds of revelers not into mind-bending English rock or the pseudo-politics of California pop.

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Elaine Aikens, is proud to announce that the Original Rhondels will headline the 2010 Humana Oldies Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance presented by Omps Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Formed in 1965, Bill Deal and the Rhondels began a recording career in 1969 that would take them to Madison Square Garden and across the country. With three Top Ten hits, “May I”, “I’ve Been Hurt”, and, “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am”, the band hit the road, delighting their audiences with outstanding vocals, powerful brass, and exciting showmanship. These hits also topped charts in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Germany and Mexico, giving the band a legitimate claim to a worldwide audience.

The unexpected passing of the band’s founder and leader, Bill Deal, in December of 2003 was a great loss to the music industry; however, the Original Rhondels continue to perform the great music that earned them a star on the Legends Walk of Fame. They have performed their hit recordings in almost every major city in the United States. Performing across the south from Orlando and Tampa and Montgomery to Charleston and Myrtle Beach to Washington, D.C., the Original Rhondels continue to delight their audiences at corporate and family events, as well as at festivals and concerts. With Brian Bleakley on vocals and trumpet, Peter Pope on keyboards and vocals, Steve Ambrose on sax and vocals, Dean Englert on trombone and vocals, Gary Hardy and Rollie Ligart on trumpet and vocals, Bruce Harlow on guitar and vocals, Wayne Kessinger on baritone sax and vocals, and Sonny Morris on drums and vocals, the Original Rhondels are stronger than ever. Their latest CD is titled “Live”.

The Humana Oldies Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance presented by Omps Funeral Home and Cremation Center will be held on Saturday night, May 1st, at 8:00pm, in the Ballroom at the Lee-Jackson Best Western. Tickets will go on sale at the Festival’s Official Souvenir Store and Ticket Outlet in the “Big Blue Box” at 2625 Valley Avenue [same location as last year] on Friday morning, March 19th, 2010, at 10:00am. The Original Rhondels already have a highly motivated local following. The seating capacity at this event is much more limited than that at Festival events at the Sprint Tent. Where Sprint Tent events can sell nearly 1500 tickets, sales at this event will be cut off at less than 500 tickets. A Festival Insider’s Tip: don’t wait too long to buy tickets to this event. With the Original Rhondels headlining, this event will more than likely sell out!

James otto to headline the 2010 bud light country music party; Special guest, bomshel, to open the “New look” event

At one time, the country music genre was famous for keeping its stage performance prices well below the pop and rock genres; but, those days appear to have passed. Country and country rock acts now demand and get top dollar and play huge stadiums and arenas. Small-venue clubs, fairs and festivals have struggled to keep pace. Many have chosen the tried-and-true route of booking classic acts whose prices are still within their range. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® looked at this path; but, decided to go in another direction. The Festival decided this past fall to take the opposite approach and bring the best of the hot, up-and-coming acts to the area; the riskier bands working for their big break; the bands that know how to rock a party!

It is therefore with a great deal of pleasure that Festival President, Elaine Aikens, announces that James “Sunset Man” Otto will headline the 2010 Bud Light Country Music Party presented by Q102 Radio. From his Official Bio: “Standing an easy 6’5” tall with a frame more akin to an NFL lineman than an entertainer, his mere presence is enough to garner your attention. And his voice? Maybe bigger. John Rich, of the country duo of Big and Rich, often introduces Otto as “The Biggest Voice in Country Music,” a claim few refute upon hearing him sing.” James is best known for his #1 hit, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You”; and, for co-writing Jamey Johnson’s smash, “In Color.” His new single, “Groovy Little Summer Song” is set to hit the airwaves this month.

In another nod to “kicking things up a notch”, the Festival has chosen possibly the hottest girl-act in country music at the moment, Bomshel, to open the show as its Special Guest. Stage appearances by female country acts have been very rare in Festival history; and, Organizers reckon that this is only the second time that a female country act has graced the stage at the Bud Light Country Music Party [the first: Kathy Mattea].

The 2010 Bud Light Country Music Party presented by Q102 Radio will be held in the new Sprint Tent on Saturday night, May 1st, at 8:00pm. The old rope-and-pole tent will be replaced by a spacious new clear span building, with no interior supports, soaring gable ends and improved sight lines. Improvements to staging and the dance floor are also planned. The variety of adult beverages has also been improved with the addition of margaritas and other surprises. The Festival’s plan is to continue to work away from the concept of the event as a simple “Concert”; and, to continue to embrace the concept of the event as a “Party with a Country Music Theme” along the lines of the wildly successful Thursday Night Fever and Friday’s Beach House on the Bloom.

A Special Pre-Sale of tickets to the event will be held at the Glory Days Grill on Featherbed Lane from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Friday, March 12th. Event Co-Chair, Theresa Gaines, has announced that the Festival has secured 15 to 20 keepsake items [clothing, CDs; some autographed] from James Otto and Bomshel that will be given out as door prizes at the Pre-Sale event. All adults who attend the Pre-Sale event can sign up to win [one entry per person; no purchase necessary; must be 18 years of age; need not be present to win]. The drawing will take place at 6:00pm and winners not present will be notified. Any unsold tickets after the Pre-Sale event will be offered for sale at the Official Festival Souvenir Store and Ticket Outlet in the “Big Blue Box” at 2625 Valley Avenue [same location as last year]. The Store opens on Friday, March 19th, at 10:00am.

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