Dave Mason, Tony Orlando and John Waite are just some of the performers Oyster Bay Town residents will be able to enjoy during the second week of the 2009 Music Under the Stars concert series, according to Supervisor John Venditto.
Kicking off the week on Monday, July 13, will be a performance by the Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot at Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Heisser Lane, Farmingdale, beginning at 8 p.m. The performance is being co-sponsored by State Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino.
“Big Shot is the premier Billy Joel tribute act,” Venditto said. “Based right here on Long Island, and fronted by renowned vocalist/pianist Michael Delguidice, the band creates a sound and stage presence as excitingly close to an actual Billy Joel performance as you will ever experience. After seeing the band perform, Billy Joel himself said, ‘They had a hard time convincing me that it wasn’t me.’ For this performance, the band is being joined by original Billy Joel band member saxophonist Richie Cannata. Cannata was a member of the Billy Joel band from 1972 to 1982 and was reunited with Billy on his 2006 tour. Cannata performed on many Billy Joel albums and has also worked with such artists as Elton John, Brian Wilson, Cheap Trick and Charlie Daniels.”
On Tuesday, July 14, Tobay Beach, Ocean Parkway, Massapequa will rock with the sound of John Waite beginning at 8 p.m.
“John Waite first came to the public’s attention as the lead singer and bassist of The Babys,” Venditto said. “When the group broke up, Waite launched his solo career. His albums produced a number of hit singles, including Change, Tears and Missing You, which went to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. In 1988, Waite joined former band mates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips along with Neal Schon from Journey and drummer Deen Castronovo to form the group Bad English, which released two albums, including a number one single When I See You Smile, before disbanding. Resuming his solo career, Waite began producing albums that showcased his songwriting. Equally at home performing ballads, rock and blues, Waite’s versatility brought him to the attention of country star Allison Krauss, with whom he recorded what the Seattle Post-Intelligencer called ‘a killer duet’ of Missing You.”
Dave Mason & The Dave Mason Band will take center stage at the Hicksville High School Field, Newbridge Road, on Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 8 p.m. The performance is being co-sponsored by the Ridgewood Savings Bank.
“Dave Mason’s career spans more than 37 years and has encompassed producing, performing and songwriting, not to mention being one of rock’s great guitarists,” Venditto said. “He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of Traffic and launched a successful electric guitar company in Anaheim, CA. He has played with such luminaries as The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix. In 1993, Mason joined the legendary rock group Fleetwood Mac and toured with them for two years. Dave Mason and the Dave Mason Band have been busy traveling all across the country, very much in demand, and still rocking and rolling, bringing crowds to their feet wherever they perform.”
On Friday, July 17, Tappen Beach, Shore Road, Glenwood Landing, will provide the perfect backdrop for singer-actress Lainie Kazan beginning at 8 p.m.
“Lainie Kazan is the embodiment of the word ‘entertainer,’ having reached the pinnacle in virtually every area of performance,” Venditto said. “From being Barbra Streisand’s Broadway understudy in ‘Funny Girl,’ her electrifying talent brought her to the attention of variety and talk show producers, as well as nightclub owners. She has been a guest on virtually every variety show on television and hosted her own variety show. Her bluesy voice and sassy personality attracted the attention of Francis Ford Coppola, who quickly offered her a plum role in One From the Heart. That led to more film roles, including My Favorite Year, for which she won a Golden Globe nomination, Delta Force, Beaches, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which won her a People’s Choice Award. She has also graced the small screen in such hit shows as St. Elsewhere, Will and Grace, and Touched by an Angel. Some her recent nightclub appearances include Harrah’s and Trump’s Casinos and Resorts in Vegas and Atlantic City. Her credits also include performing symphonic concerts with such orchestras as The Boston Pops, The Palm Beach Pops and The Cleveland Symphony.”
Rounding out the second week will be none other than one of America’s most endearing and enduring stars, Tony Orlando. The performance, which is being co-sponsored by King Kullen and State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., will take place at John J. Burns Town Park, Merrick Road, Massapequa, beginning at 8 p.m.
“Few entertainers can move and excite an audience like Tony Orlando,” Venditto said. “From million selling records, a popular variety television series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe’s Café), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business. He made his first recording at age 16 singing Carole King’s Halfway to Paradise, which was followed by another King composition, Bless You. When the record label with which he had signed was sold and showed little interest in him as a singer, he took a job with the new company’s promotional department. Lending his voice to a song called Candida was Tony’s unintended first big break. While he was serving as one of the youngest vice presidents of CBS Records, he was coaxed into recording a demo record for a song called Candida, which climbed to number one on the charts and became his unintended first big break. He followed that success with Knock Three Times, which not only became number one, but was the top song of 1971, selling more than six million copies worldwide. Teaming up with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, who became known as Dawn, he went on to record a string of hits, including Sweet Gypsy Rose, He Don’t Love You, Who’s In the Strawberry Patch with Sally, Cupid, Steppin’ Out, Mornin’ Beautiful and what has become his theme song, Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree. Tony has a string of awards, including three American Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as being named Branson’s Entertainer and Vocalist of the Year.”
The 2009 Music Under the Stars summer concert series takes place over 26 nights throughout July and August at various locations throughout the Town of Oyster Bay. Shows are free to town residents and begin at 8 p.m. on most evenings. For more information about the “Music Under the Stars” program, visit the Town of Oyster Bay website at www.oysterbaytown.com or call the Department of Community and Youth Services at 797-7900. So, just bring along a lawn chair or blanket and prepare to have a great time.
