Breaking News from The Royal Teens! They have released the single, Party Down the Jersey Shore! The song was written by Royal Teens’ co-founder Tom Austin, Charlie Calello, and Lenny Trerotola.
It is getting quite a bit of airplay and DJs are adding it to their rotation lists! This record could go right to the TOP of the charts!
As you all know from yesterday’s JB Blog Facebook and Twitter posts, longtime Four Seasons member, phenomenal bassist and vocalist Joe Long passed away earlier this week. Truth be told, it has been rather difficult to reflect on what an awesome gentleman Joe was and how memorable it was to hear his stories! A tribute to such a great musician and kind man will be coming soon to JB Blog. Until then, please enjoy some photo coverage of Joe over the last 50-plus years.
CHICAGO’S THE FOUR C NOTES TO PREMIERE – VIRTUAL CONCERT ALONG WITH THE PLAYHOUSE. (Somewhere, US) November 10, 2020 –
THE FOUR C NOTES, the Midwest’s only tribute group recreating the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, will debut the world premiere of their virtual concert in partnership with The Playhouse in Somewhere, US on Sunday, November 15th, at 7:00 PM, EST.
THE FOUR C NOTES were created by John Michael Coppola, most notably of the Chicago production of the Broadway smash Jersey Boys. The concert features many of the world wide hits that made the group a household name , including “Oh what A Night”, “Sherry”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”, “Let’s Hang On”, “Workin’ My Way Back to You” and many, many more!
“The group was born out of a request I received to create a 30 minute tribute for a wedding reception. I hired 3 friends of mine from the Chicago theater and music scene, and it sort of took off from there,” says Coppola. “It was as if the universe said ‘Yes! Go with that instinct’. That was in 2013, and since then, the show has grown to a full 90 minutes, and we’ve been busy ever since.”
Coppola is partnering with various venues around the country, to help boost their revenues while they largely remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “With the temporary absence of live performances, producing our full length concert in digital form was a way to keep the music alive for our fans and co-presenting it with partner venues across the country offered us away to support their long term viability.”
The concert will premiere on BroadwayWorld.com as a live stream, on Sunday, November 15th at 7:00 PM EST, and then be made available on demand from Sunday, November 15th until Sunday, November 22nd. All tickets are $25.00, including fees, and 50% of all proceeds will go directly to partner venue
throughout the United States.
LISTING INFORMATION
THE FOUR C NOTES Virtual Concert
Presented by BroadwayWorld.
World Premiere Livestream: Sunday, November 15, 2020, 7:00 PM EST
Available On Demand: Sunday, November 15, 2020 through Sunday, November 15, 2020
Live Stream and On Demand presented by BroadwayWorld.com.
Proceeds benefit regional venue partner throughout the US.
For tickets and info, visit thefourcnotes.com
For more information, please call: (917)568-5330.
The Path Fund Inc.® & MAC are pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 27th Annual ROCKERS ON BROADWAY benefit rock concert. ROCKERS ON BROADWAY: BAND TOGETHER will be streamed for one night only on Monday November 9th, 2020 at 7pm on Broadway On Demand.
This special virtual presentation of ROCKERS ON BROADWAY® will honor EMMY, GRAMMY and TONY Award-winner – BILLY PORTER (Pose, Kinky Boots). The show brings Broadway & Music stars together in a celebration of our Community paying tribute to the perseverance and strength of Performing Artists!
The high energy streamed rock concert will feature performances by:
Hosted by: Ben Cameron – Broadway Sessions, Wicked
Honoree: Billy Porter – (EMMY, GRAMMY & TONY Award Winner) Pose; Kinky Boots
Michael Cerveris – (TONY Award Winner) Fun Home; Assassins; with his band Loose Cattle
LaChanze – (TONY Award Winner) The Color Purple
Lilli Cooper – (TONY Award Nominee) Tootsie, Spring Awakening, Wicked
Constantine Maroulis – (TONY Award Nominee) Spring Awakening, Rock Of Ages
Adam Pascal – (TONY Award Nominee) Rent, Disaster!, Something Rotten J. Robert Spencer – (TONY Award Nominee) Next To Normal, Jersey Boys
Rick Negron – Hamilton, In The Heights
Morgan James – EPIC Records, Motown The Musical, Godspell
Jen Perry – Kinky Boots, Mama Mia! Donnie Kehr – Jersey Boys; The Who’s Tommy
Ryan Peete Meet the Peets, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children’s
Ryann Redmond – Frozen, If/Then
and rising star: Isabel Gottfried – Developing Artist, Singer / SongwriterFeaturing Special Guests:
Alexa Ray Joel – Singer / Songwriter
Ginger Minj – Rupal’s Drag Race
Julie Halston – Tootsie; On The Town
Jerry Mitchell – Director/Choreographer,
Randy Rainbow – Comedian
With a special appearance by Cyndi Lauper
ROCKERS ON BROADWAY® is the original Broadway rock concert series that is a fun, unique charity event that features Rock Musicians and Broadway’s best rockin’ out for a great cause. The creative team is led by director Donnie Kehr; executive producers Cori Gardner and Y.Dolly Fox; with music supervision by Henry Aronson and producers Michael T. Clarkston and Jessica Carollo filling out the team.
ROCKERS ON BROADWAY: Band Together is made possible thanks to our generous sponsors MAC, Y.D. Fox Entertainment, Evolving Voice, J. Barry & Connie Howell, Paris Campbell, Elizabeth Wilson Legacy Project, The Schoch Foundation, Bellissima Prosecco, The Fuel Stop, and Shure.
Proceeds to benefit Broadway Bound Kids, The Felix Organization and Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Proceeds will also benefit PATH Fund’s Community Relief Grant Program which launched on Aug 1, 2020 to help artists with much needed financial assistance during the continued shutdown of live entertainment. To date, the grant program has issued 33 grants to artists with hundreds more on the waitlist.
The PATH Fund, Inc.® is 501c3 a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts education and the entertainment community. PATH = Performing Artists That Help — We are a community of artists, writers, musicians, designers, crew, producers, directors and fans coming together as one, promoting a good cause, sharing in a common goal. We support pre-professional training organizations with scholarships and program funding. Additionally, we work with aspiring writers to develop new works of music and theater. In times of great need we have allied ourselves and supported notable causes including Disaster Relief, Racial Injustice and Community Need. For more information go to rockersonbroadway.com.
Ken Davenport will present The Doo Wop Project: Live In Your Living Room, a virtual theatrical concert, broadcast live from Shubert Studios, on Sunday, October 25th at 7:00PM EST. Tickets prices, starting at $25, and can be purchased by visiting www.TheDooWopProject.com.
The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. The theatrical concert takes audiences on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts, and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to “Doo-Wopified” versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, and Maroon 5.
Featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate-and in some cases entirely reimagine-some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
Since 2011, the NF Hope® Concerts have brought people together in Las Vegas, Chicago and New York to help the 128,000 living with the neurological disorder, Neurofibromatosis.
On Sunday, October 18 at 5:00 PM PDT, we are proud to present Las Vegas’ 10th Annual NF Hope Concert.
WATCH THE CONCERT HERE ON SUNDAY: https://www.facebook.com/nfhopeconcert/posts/4905422722808719
The show will be streamed live from our broadcast studio theater in Las Vegas and will include performances by:
- Gillian Anderson
- Daniel Emmet
- Clint Holmes
- Kelly Clinton
- Jasmine Trias
- Ben Stone
- Ashley Fuller
- Elly Brown
- John Bayless
- Travis Cloer and Christian Hoff
- Juliana Hansen (with Gregg Sherman, son of Richard Sherman)
- and some big surprises!
HOSTED BY Chet Buchanan
The organization is on the precipice of breaking the $1 Million mark for funds raised by the concerts. You can help now and find out about fun ways to upgrade your concert experience with Watch Party Packages by visiting: http://10yearsofhope.givesmart.com
Let’s all join them for this unforgettable evening celebrating ten years of The NF Hope Concert!
Over a million people around the world have fallen in love with The Doo Wop Project and now you can too, right from your living room.
Ken Davenport presents The Doo Wop Project: Live In Your Living Room, a virtual theatrical concert, broadcast live from Shubert Studios, on Sunday, October 25th at 7:00PM. Tickets prices, starting at $25, and can be purchased by visiting www.TheDooWopProject.com.
The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. The theatrical concert takes audiences on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts, and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to “Doo-Wopified” versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, and Maroon 5.
Featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate-and in some cases entirely reimagine-some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
The last five years have seen sold-out shows across the country and performances with everyone from Katy Perry to Jon Bon Jovi to Jay Leno.
The Doo Wop Project has been seen in theaters across the country from Minnesota and Maryland to California and New Jersey. Their popular Symphonic Pops show has been performed with dozens of symphonies including Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Omaha, Vancouver, Detroit, and more.
The cast of The Doo Wop Project includes: Charl Brown (Motown: The Musical), Dwayne Cooper (Smokey Joe’s Café),John Michael Dias (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Russell Fischer (Jersey Boys), Dominic Nolfi (Jersey Boys), and Santino Paladino (Pippin).
Critics are raving about The Doo Wop Project. The Chautauquan Daily said, “Doo Wop Project is street corner music for a new generation” and The Omaha World-Herald cheered, “Refreshing pop flavor… a rowdy standing ovation!” Nuvo Indianapolis applauded “lush orchestral arrangements,” and Maryland Theatre Guide praised the show saying, “The joy of the group’s performance was infectious and it was clear the guys were having as much fun as the audience.”
“They say that music has the power to heal and I think we all could use a little healing right now,” said producer Ken Davenport. “The Doo Wop Project is more than just a concert though – it’s a theatrical exploration through some of the best tunes ever written. We look forward to having audiences experience the show virtually, in the comfort of their own homes, and we think the intimate Shubert Studios is the perfect venue to highlight this unique group.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with each other AND with The Doo Wop Project via a live chat, which will appear next to the video stream. Attendees can request songs to The Doo Wop Project in the chat.
The Doo Wop Project also invites attendees to host their own dance parties in their living rooms and even sing along with the group.
Tickets, ranging from $25-$75, can be purchased by visiting: www.TheDooWopProject.com.
Ticket prices are as follows:
General Admission ($25) – Audience members will enjoy the Doo Wop classics with a modern twist.
VIP Stream Pass ($50) – Audience members will receive a signed photo of The Doo Wop Project from an exclusive photo shoot taken on October 25th at the Studio as well as a Doo Wop branded mask!
VIP Stream Pass WITH a Meet-&-Greet ticket ($75) – Audience members will receive all the above plus an invitation to join the guys post-show for an After Party Meet & Greet on Zoom. Link will be provided to attendees at this level the day before the event. Read the rest of this entry »
Since the sad news broke about Tommy DeVito’s passing, tributes from all over the globe have appeared online and in local newspapers here in Vegas, where Tommy had lived for 50 years.
As the co-founder of The Four Seasons, Tommy and his bandmates brought the world such joy with their music that will live on forever! Meeting Mr. DeVito at various JERSEY BOYS events ranks up there with some of my fondest JERSEY BOYS-related memories with his warm greetings and brief chats.
Back in December 2006, JBB had the honor of interviewing Tommy after he released a new CD of Italian folk songs. I was pinching myself at the beginning of this call–rather shocked that I was on the phone with the legendary Tommy DeVito! This is the kind of stuff a nutty kid like myself was dreaming about doing, as I looked at their albums that I played non-stop, long after Tommy had left the group. Who knew that my rather wild dreams about interviewing members of The Four Seasons as a kid would come true?
I’d like to share the JBB Exclusive Interview below–and how Tommy reflected on his legacy: “How do I want to be remembered? First, I’d want people to remember all of the great music the Four Seasons did together. Then, I’d also want people to know that everyone makes mistakes-nobody’s perfect. I’m not ashamed to admit it-I’ve been punished; did some jail time; and I’ve paid my dues.”
JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Tommy DeVito! (12/23/2006)
Tommy DeVito is one of the main characters in Jersey Boys and gets the show off with a bang right after the opening musical number “Ces Soirees-La,” but he isn’t just a character in Jersey Boys, he’s a real live person that lived the rock star life portrayed on stage by Tony Award Winner, Christian Hoff.
Tommy was born on June 19, 1928 in Belleville, New Jersey. His musical career began in the early 1950?s with his brother Nick and Hank Majewski as the Variety Trio. They were performing in nightclubs when Frank Castelluccio (later known as Frankie Valli) joined the band. They renamed themselves the Four Lovers and had a minor hit in 1956 with “Apple of My Eye” and appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”
After changing their name again, this time to the Four Seasons (singer/guitarist Tommy DeVito, keyboardist and songwriter Bob Gaudio, bass vocalist/vocal arranger Nick Massi, and lead singer Frankie Valli), the group struck gold with a string of hits beginning with “Sherry,” which remained in the Number One position on the Billboard charts for five consecutive weeks in 1962.
DeVito left the band in 1970 and currently lives in Las Vegas. His new CD of Italian folk and similar-style songs entitled “A Man for All Seasons, 1st Season Summer,” has just been released!
Jersey Boys Blog recently had the privilege of talking to original Four Seasons member and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Tommy DeVito. Tommy spoke about his new CD; his early years; his chart-topping years with the Four Seasons; and the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys.
JBB: Congratulations on your new CD! How did it come about? When was it recorded? Why did you decide to do Italian folk songs?
TD: Thank you. It took me about two and a half years to record it since I played all the instruments myself. I recorded it in New Jersey. At first, I decided to make the recording for my friends. Lots of my friends had been asking me to record the Italian folk songs for a long time. These were the songs I used to play years ago, before we became famous as the 4 Seasons.
JBB: Two songs that really stand out to me on the new CD are “Come Si Bella” and “Ginger’s Theme.” Could you fill us in on those two?
TD: Carmine DePalma, who lived in Frankie Valli’s neighborhood, created “Come Si Bella”. Carmine had cerebral palsy, and he really enjoyed writing music. He teamed up with Charlie Calello for this song. It’s a really great one.
Joe Pesci wrote “Ginger’s Theme.” I think it would be a great theme for a movie.
JBB: How did it all begin for you? Was it always your dream to have a band, or did life take you in that direction? What led you to playing guitar?
TD: I started playing my older brother’s guitar when I was about eight or nine years old. My folks were very poor; it was during the Depression, so we didn’t have money for my own guitar. My brother’s guitar was very big, so I had to lean over it to play. Yeah, my brother used to hit me every time he caught me playing it, but I kept playing. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes in school, my teacher would tell me to bring my guitar in the classroom to play for the kids. I grew up with it and really enjoyed it. Early on, I got into playing with some country music bands.
JBB: After so many years of struggling, what did it feel like when “Sherry” hit Number One on the charts?
TD: It’s hard to explain. You go from having nothing at all to selling a million records. There was really no time to think about it when it happened; it all came on so fast. It was a great, great feeling. You don’t know how great it was until you look back on it years later.
JBB: What part of the music industry did you like best? Live performing? Making deals? Or creating the music?
TD: It was all so good. It was great to make the deals to keep working, but creating the music and performing was every bit as good.
JBB: Do you have a favorite song? A favorite road appearance?
TD: I can’t get away from “Sherry”-that record will always be special to me since it started it all for us. I also love “Rag Doll” and “Dawn.”
If I had to pick one favorite road appearance, it would be the Roostertail in Detroit. That place was always my favorite. It was laid out so nicely. At night, when the 4 Seasons were closing our set, they had this beautiful waterfall with all kinds of colors in the background behind the band. It was just a great scene and a really great club.
JBB: When you first saw Jersey Boys, what was your reaction?
TD: At first, I had some mixed feelings. There were a couple of things that didn’t jive with me when I first saw it. But it’s doing great-so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It’s really thrilling to see yourself being played on stage, and Christian Hoff does a terrific job playing me.
JBB: Did you give Christian Hoff any advice about playing you?
TD: Christian and I talked on the phone before he started playing me and I gave him a bit of advice about the character. Christian really did his homework for this part.
Christian Hoff is a wonderful person, a truly nice guy, and I’m just so glad to have him in my life. He has a beautiful wife and a new baby. He’s just a great guy.
JBB: Jersey Boys has become such a blockbuster hit musical-What is it about the story and the music that makes the audience feel so connected?
TD: Well, since it’s a story about me, I’m sure I see if differently from people in the audience.
I think people connect with it because they see the story about guys from the wrong side of the tracks who are toughin’ it up, arguing, and you’re also hearing the stories about the mob. It’s a rags to riches story about tough guys and good guys. There’s so much interest in what’s going to happen to these guys. It’s not just a jukebox musical; it’s great songs combined with a really great story.
JBB: There’s lots of talk about Jersey Boys becoming a movie. Who would you like to see play you in the movie version?
TD: Well, I’m so close to Joe Pesci, so I’d like him to play me in the later years, but I don’t know if that could happen. Maybe in the early years, somebody like Mark Wahlberg?
Of course, Christian Hoff could do a great job playing me on the screen!
JBB: Although the music industry has changed in the last 50 years, what advice would you give young men of today who are singing under street lamps dreaming of making hit records?
TD: I’d tell the guys to study long and study hard. If you have the desire, the drive and the determination, and the fire in your gut to succeed, you’re going to make it. You might go through a lot of disappointments and get doors slammed in your faces-we sure did–but if you have the determination and the talent, you can make it.
JBB: What do you think will be your legacy?
TD: How do I want to be remembered? First, I’d want people to remember all of the great music the Four Seasons did together. Then, I’d also want people to know that everyone makes mistakes-nobody’s perfect. I’m not ashamed to admit it-I’ve been punished; did some jail time; and I’ve paid my dues.
Jersey Boys Blog would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Tommy DeVito for taking the time for such an amazing interview. This was an incredible opportunity to gain some insight into the enigmatic rocker’s life and his character in Jersey Boys. You’ll always be remembered as the founder of the of one of the greatest rock bands in history and as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
We are terribly sad to report that the one and only Tommy DeVito, co-founder of The Four Seasons, passed away last night at St. Rose Hospital.
Our hearts go out to Tommy’s family and friends during this difficult time and we will never, ever forget Mr. DeVito!
JBB will be paying tribute to Tommy DeVito with photos, recollections, and of course, the music very soon.
We are saddened to report that JERSEY BOYS Tony Award-winning lighting director has passed away after a battle with lung cancer.
Binkley has had an extraordinary career, spanning decades. In addition to his Tony Award for JERSEY BOYS, he is the recipient of the 2016 Tony Award and a 2018 Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Hamilton.
Let’s go back to 2006 at the CBS Tony Awards–with the original Four Seasons, Joe Pesci, and the phenomenal JERSEY BOYS cast performance right before they won the BEST MUSICAL Tony Award!
New York City – (Official Music Video) Actor, singer, songwriter and producer Donnie Kehr (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy) is thrilled to announce the debut of the official music video for his new single ‘New York City Strong’ . Kehr said “This is my love letter to the city of New York and a Thank You to the Essential Workers and First Responders during this difficult time”.
Kehr took to social media last month challenging New Yorkers to participate in the “NYC STRONG Video Challenge”. Broadway’s brightest stars along with
Hollywood celebs and Major League Baseball teamed up with fans all across the country to raise much needed funds for Essential Workers and First Responders during the COVID-19 crisis. Participants include Dixie Longate (Dixie’s Tupperware Party), Jen Perry (Kinky Boots), Jeffrey Schecter (Fiddler On The Roof), Matthew Stocke (Pretty Women), Justin Sargent (Rock of Ages), Miguel Jarquin (Jersey Boys), John Arthur Greene (Tootsie), Nina Davuluri (Miss America 2014), Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie), Chad Lowe (Life Goes On) and from the Emmy winning HBO series Entourage Doug Ellin and Kevin Dillon. Rounding out Kehr’s All-Star Team is the New York Yankees and their rival Peter Alonso (Rookie of the Year) and Jacob DeGrom (Cy Young Award) from the New York Mets.
Kehr is asking for everyone to “Spread the Love, NOT the Virus” by downloading his new song on iTunes or make a tax deductible donation to the NYC
STRONG INITIATIVE started by The PATH Fund, Inc.® , which Kehr is the co-founder of with producing partner Cori Gardner (Rockers On Broadway); to
support arts education. Proceeds from the download of the single and all donations made through the NYC STRONG INITIATIVE will directly benefit the World entral Kitchen and NYC’s Covid19 Emergency Relief Fund.
Kehr is giving the first 50 donations made now through Memorial Day a FREE NYC STRONG Face Mask.
World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. World Central Kitchen’s method of operations is to be a first responder and then to collaborate and galvanize solutions with local chefs to solve the problem of hunger, immediately following a disaster. Additionally, funds will go to NYC’s Covid19 Emergency Relief Fund, started by Mayor de Blasio and his office to provide resources and financial support to Health care workers and essential staff, Local small businesses, displaced hourly workers, including” immigrant workers and Families, youth, and vulnerable New Yorkers.
The PATH Fund, Inc.® is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting arts education and training organizations with scholarship and program funding.
Additional support to NYC’s thriving arts community by working with aspiring writers to develop new works of music and theater. Since the inception of PATH Fund in 2007, the PATH Fund has raised over a half million dollars for
performing arts charities.
NYC STRONG INITIATIVE is now available on iTunes, Spotify or anywhere music is downloaded.
The music video is produced by Michael T. Clarkston and Jessica Carollo.
JERSEY BOYS cast members from around the globe join together to thank all the brave souls everywhere who are putting their lives on the line for us everyday during the COVID 19 pandemic. This video features 275 actors from 16 different JERSEY BOYS companies worldwide.
We’re excited to share breaking news! Legendary pop star Frankie Valli’s granddaughter, Olivia Valli, will be playing her own grandmother, Mary Delgado in company of JERSEY BOYS Off-Broadway at New World stages beginning May 20!
Frankie Valli wasn’t kidding when he said, “Family is everything!”
Congratulations and break a leg to Olivia Valli on her Off-Broadway debut!
Check out Jersey Boys’ Jeff Leibow, Aaron DeJesus, and Drew Gehling, along with some of Broadway’s other brightest rising stars in NYC’s 3rd Annual NF Hope Concert this Monday May 6 at 7:30 pm at SubCulture. This intimate concert benefits the Neurofibromatosis Network. In addition to the Jersey Boys, there will be performances from Kelli Rabke (Les Miserables), Jamie Karen (Man of La Mancha), and Gail Bennett(Anastasia), as well as an auction featuring plenty of Broadway memorabilia and NYC experiences. NF is a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 2,500 people and currently without a cure. Why not join the fight against NF and enjoy some Broadway star stylings at the same time?