Friends of Tony Orlando and Dawn Message Board
May 2000

Mary
Tony's Dad Leo
Tuesday 30-May-2000 21:11:42
I read recently that Tony's dad passed away last year.  I remember seeing him on Mike Douglas back in 1977 after Tony's return to show business.  He was very charming just like his son. Does anyone know what he died of?  Anytime I heard something sad that happens in Tony's life  I feel sad also.  He brought so much joy to my childhood and still does..I wish nothing but a happy and healthy life for him!
Julie  you're doing a fantastic job on this sight!!

milton
I'm oing home i've done my time
Tuesday 30-May-2000 13:43:16
Can anyone tell me if Tony and Dawn was the
group that sang this song and what CD I can
find this song on??? I have been unable to
locate it anywhere??? Am I crazy or just wrong??
Help.  thanks 

  • Re: I'm oing home i've done my time
    Tuesday 30-May-2000 18:39:45
    Hi Milton:
    Actually  this is a lyric to Tony and Dawn's song  "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree". It actually goes -I'm coming home  I've done my time-. You can find this song on the group's Definitive Collection CD which is available on many on-line music sites. 

Pat
pat@friends-of-toad.com
Aboard the El Capitan....
Tuesday 30-May-2000 00:55:16
Greetings to all from Sparks.  Your roving reporter here to give you the latest on Tony's two week engagement at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
This time I arrived on time for the show--no wild drive changing clothes in the car.  That would be  impossible to do while driving through the winding roads of the Sierras...  Of course I couldn't help but stop at the Outlet Malls along the way and pick up a few Memorial Day bargains so I didn't arrive as early as I had anticipated.  I was so looking forward to jumping in the pool before having to get ready for the show  but oh well  there's always tomorrow. 
The crowd tonight was wild.  But as I've said here before  his fan base in this area is huge and at times very vocal.  Tony wrote a new song here and added it to the show tonight--Aboard the El Capitan--it's a Country tune.  He told us that tonight was the first time he performed the song.  He wrote it for his wife  Frannie  and was inspired by the fact that their hotel room looked out over the train tracks here.  The story goes that both of their mothers took them on that train  The El Capitan  which ran the route from Chicago to LA--albeit many years apart.  Just think  if they had given them a room on the other side of the building  he may not have written that song!
As today is Memorial Day  in addition to his regular tribute to the Veterans  he also stopped the show for a moment of silence.  You could have heard a pin drop in that showroom.
The opening act  a comedian  Chris Bliss  was terrific.  He had most of us falling out of our chairs and ends his part of the show with a juggling routine that's unbelievable.  After the show he was out front selling his CD and giving away autographs to the fans and you couldn't even get near the table.  The crowd loved him.
Again  Tony announced Billy's upcoming wedding at the show and the crowd cheered him on.  As I said before Congratulations and Best wishes to both Karen and Billy and many many years of happiness.

  • JO

    Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Tuesday 30-May-2000 19:23:57
    Thanks Pat  for your great review! Though I did miss hearing about your own act of changing clothes while going through toll booths or turnpikes  I was glad to hear you had the time to do some shopping!!  Hope you did as well as you did at Bloomie's here in New York.
    Glad to hear that the show was wonderful. It must make it all the better when the crowd is wild and gets into the show  I'm sure that Tony appreciates a "live crowd"!
    Was so glad to hear that Billy and Karen's upcoming marriage was announced again.  Billy really deserves the recogntion and I'm sure Karen's enjoying Tony's announcement as well.
    Good Luck Karen and Billy!  

  • Pat
    pat@friends-of-toad.com
    Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Wednesday 31-May-2000 07:45:17
    Well Jo  sorry to point this out but there are no turnpikes in California or Nevada and the only toll booths are on bridges...  Keep in mind we don't charge any toll to leave town (we don't mind that at all)--just to come into town.
    Funny you should mention the changing clothes thing--a friend who joined me at tonight's show was late and I wondered if there would be someone else doing the same thing...
    As for the shopping  I think I did better than at Bloomies in NY.
    And you are absolutely right.  I know both Karen and Billy are enjoying the fact that Tony has announced the wedding every night.  The crowd certainly does give them the recognition they deserve as well.

  • Tara

    Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Tuesday 30-May-2000 20:01:47
    Pat  you are a wild woman and how lucky are you!  Glad you had a great time and time to mall it.  Cannot wait to see Tony again hopefully he will come back to New Jersey soon.

  • Pat
    Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Thursday  1-Jun-2000 10:56:59
    Hi Tara   Wild?  LOL!!!  I'm just a firm believer in living life to it's fullest and having as much fun as possible along the way.
    I am also a world class shopper.  Friends often tell me that I could teach people how to shop and if they ever had that as an Olympic event  I would take home the Gold!!!
    It was a great couple of days there and I'm always happy to share the stories with everyone.  Glad that you are enjoying reading about them.  That's a very important part of being involved with the Friends of TOAD--sharing with everyone--longtime friend or newcomer--it doesn't matter to us.  We are all Friends of TOAD.

  • Sue

    Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Wednesday 31-May-2000 07:25:31
    Pat: So glad that you had a wonderful time in Sparks.  Thanks for always keeping us up to date on Tony  we really appreciate that. Cant wait to hear that song he sang  love that country stuff you know.  Our wishes and congrats go out to Billy and Karen on this wonderful occasion.  Sue 

  • Pat
    pat@friends-of-toad.com
    Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Wednesday 31-May-2000 17:38:11
    Sue  I promise the song will make you want to put on your Dancin shoes (or is that boots?) and I was thinking while he was singing the song--gee too bad Sue isn't here to hear its debut  since she loves that Country music.  Yee haw!

Pat
pat@friends-of-toad.com
Re: Aboard the El Capitan....PART II
Wednesday 31-May-2000 07:33:41
Wow.  I'm hoarse after tonight's show!  What a wild show...  It always helps when you go to a show with other Friends of TOAD!  It was great getting together with friends I don't often have a chance to see  especially with my crazy travel schedule.  Well  maybe it was the margueritas too...
As Tony said on stage tonight  the Nugget has the best staff of all the venues he's performed in and coming from him that says a lot.  Wish more of you could make it up here.
He skipped the additional song tonight--maybe that's because all of the guys were itching to get offstage and take Billy out for a bachelor party after the show...  Sparks will never be the same.
I was able to help a new Friend of TOAD out tonight  which made the entire trip for me and hopefully we'll have a great story to post about it soon!
He still has 8 more performances there and if you have a chance  please catch one of them.

  • Julie
    Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....PART II
    Wednesday 31-May-2000 14:44:00
    Pat:  Sounds like another great batch of shows for you. I am so happy you had another opportunity to see Tony in concert. It's so wonderful that you were able to help out a Friend of TOAD and I'm looking forward to the time when we can share the wonderful story with visitors to the TOAD site.

  • Pat
    pat@friends-of-toad.com
    Re: Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....PART II
    Wednesday 31-May-2000 18:29:14
    Julie  You are right  I am as anxious to tell the story as you are and I know you are as anxious to hear the conclusion to the saga as I am.
    And if I might quote Jim without giving things away at this stage "In a world filled with arrogant entertainers  it is heartwarming to learn that there are still some that care about their fans . . . even after 25 years."  Quite a fitting description of Tony.

  • Char
    Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Friday  9-Jun-2000 17:00:24
    Pat;  It was great to see you again in Sparks! It is always nice going to a show and seeing one of us old timer friends of TOAD. It is always like a " Blast from the Past" as Tony would say.
    We have had a lot of fun at the shows over the years. I can't even count all the shows we have both been at here in CA.and NV. I can't wait until our next show we can meet at again. We don't get to see each other much but we know when TOAD are in the area we will for sure get to visit then.
    And sorry to say Pat  but when I was late for the show I was not changing clothes in the car on the way to the show in Sparks. I just left home later then I thought I was going to. I think you are the only one that can get away with doing that.
    Thanks for posting all of the information you give us all the time. 

  • Pat
    Re: Re: Aboard the El Capitan....
    Saturday 10-Jun-2000 11:52:04
    Char:  It was great seeing you again and it is always a pleasure sharing a show with you.  We sure have been through a lot with them and seen everything over the years.  It is great to share that sense of history with someone.  It is certainly something that no one can buy on ebay.  LOL!!!
    I'm looking forward to the next show out west and a chance to catch up with you and get into one of our "old days" chats. 
    Your thanks are truly a compliment. 

Karen

What a great man !
Sunday 28-May-2000 18:32:39
Last night at Tony's show in Sparks  Nevada he mentioned to the crowd that Billy ( his guitar player)is getting married this Saturday  (June 3 2000)and it was such a nice tribute. I remember when he announced our engagment to the crowd at Hershey Park last summer. That was so nice to have someone like Tony wish you the best of luck on stage! That was a night I will always cherish!
Thanks Tony!!!! We love you!!!!!!!!!
Karen & Billy

  • Pat
    pat@friends-of-toad.com
    Re: What a great man !
    Sunday 28-May-2000 20:46:04
    Congratulations and Best Wishes to both of you Karen and Billy  from all of us at Friends of TOAD!

  • Jo

    Re: What a great man !
    Sunday 28-May-2000 21:25:16
    Hi Karen and Billy!
    I just want to extend many Congratulations to you both and wish you all the Best for a wonderful  happy life together.   May all your dreams be fulfilled.
    It must have been so nice to have Tony make his announcement.  Billy  you are truly an asset to him and you truly deserved to be recognized.
    Again  all the Very Best!!

DEL

Re:CONGRATULATIONS KAREN & BILLY!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday  1-Jun-2000 18:33:07
Wish you all the best as you begin your life together.
Del Smith
Willingboro NJ (but from PA!)

Review of Branson Show from the Branson Net Gazette
Friday 26-May-2000 21:04:48
Thought you'd all like to see a great review of Tony's recent appearance in Branson.  It has all the details we've been waiting to hear. 
**** Feature Story ****
TONY O. IS BACK
by: Rene Ray
Friday  May 19th was a "yellow ribbon" day  as Tony Orlando performed his first show at the Osmond Family Theatre.  A sell out crowd greeted one of Branson's favorite performers as he made a return to the Branson stage.
The pre-show features a wonderful video biography of Tony and his career with some seldom seen performance and video footage going back to the days when  as a 16 year old he signed his first record deal and had the girls swooning.  You will gain an insight into both the music and the heart of this enduring entertainer.
The band and the ice skaters take the stage with a flourish that builds the momentum for the event to follow.  As Orlando takes the stage the audiences greet him with thunderous applause and you know that the missing piece of Branson's heart is back.  And he's still making the girls swoon and the guys cheer.
A medley of his hits follows  including "Candida"  "He Don't Love You" and many more.  Looking very much the consummate performer in his tux  you realize you are watching a man who is truly an "entertainer's entertainer".  A man who thoroughly enjoys entertaining and gives his all to entertain his audiences.  There are singers and there are entertainers - Tony Orlando manages to combine the best of both.
There are some other wonderful acts involved in the production of this show and they only serve to heighten the pure enjoyment of the experience.  Babette Young  who also performs with the Osmond Brothers Show  presents some fabulous vocals on "Some Kind Of Wonderful" and other numbers.
The troupe of award winning skaters add their own panache to the show  with the grace and skill that they have perfected as champions.  Magician/illusionist Anthony Reed  assisted by his wife Veronica  perform some absolutely amazing feats in a unique and fun manner.  No matter how many illusionists you have seen perform  you'll agree that Reed is one of the best.
Jim Barber and his cast of "friends" are hilarious.  Barber is an amazingly talented ventriloquist/comedian and will absolutely amaze you with his ability to give voice to three characters  in conversation and song  in quick succession.  He even sings! In a duet with himself and "Seville".  Then comes one of the show's highlights - Chico Pete!  A feisty  wisecracking chihuahua who does a duet on his theme song - "Chico Pete" (the tune which Ricky Ricardo sang different lyrics too with "Cuban Pete") that is hilarious.  This is a "roll in your seat" funny act!!!
You'll thoroughly enjoy Tony's reminiscences about his early days  his dreams of being an entertainer  his friend Freddie Prinze and other delightful stories.  All of which are a perfect segue into one of the things Tony does best - creating a fantasy "dream" segment that will knock your socks off!  The dancing/skating giant puppets appear on stage in the likeness of Bill Hailey  Little Richard  the Everly Brothers  Chubby Checker and Elvis - performing their hits with Tony.  Orlando frequently journeys into the audience as he performs and encouraging the audience to sing along - which they do heartily. 
Orlando does a wonderful job on reprising a segment of his Broadway appearance last year from "Smoky Joe's Café" and performs a beautiful rendition of "Spanish Harlem".  The audience sings as Tony strolls the aisles performing "Gypsy Rose".  Orlando manages to work his magic on  each and every audience  generating his own brand of excitement as he ventures into their midst and leaving them with the feeling that he's one of the "good guys" (which he is) and that he really strives to entertain them. 
Of course  no Orlando appearance would be complete without his performance of the song that he sang in 1973 to our returning Vietnam POWs and an audience of  78 000  the song that has inspired so many and the song that he performed at a reunion of those POWs.  A song that leads into a beautiful tribute to veterans of all eras and conflicts   "Yellow Ribbon".  A song that is definitely a hard act to follow  but which Orlando does beautifully with  "America The Beautiful" and "Comin' To America"  in a rousing finale with the band  the skaters  all cast members and the American flag flying proudly.  A tribute that obviously has been created in the heart.
Yes  folks  Tony O. is back  performing select dates this year at the Osmond Family Theatre.  If you've never seen his live show it's a must.  If you've seen him before it's a must to see again.
He's back - and better than ever!

  • Re: Review of Branson Show from the Branson Net Gazette
    Friday 26-May-2000 21:58:14
    Wow  what a great review! I'm so glad Tony's return to Branson was a success and that the town welcomed him back with heart!

Rose Penksa Charney

Tony Orlando the best entertainer in the world
Thursday 25-May-2000 20:06:03
This is my first time at your website and I think that it is just great!  I had such a wonderful time reliving memories and the pictures and information was great.  I really wish I had more time to visit but I don't  but I couldn't leave without telling you how much I enjoyed the website and I will visit again.  I have been a fan for over 30 years when I was only 12 years old.  Thank you for the fun!!!

  • Julie
    Re: Tony Orlando the best entertainer in the world
    Thursday 25-May-2000 22:57:51
    Hi Rose:  Glad you found our web site and thank you for the nice comments. I'm glad you are enjoying it and that it has brought back many great memories. That was a very special time in all our lives and we are so happy that we can continue to celebrate the music and magic of this wonderful group. We hope you visit again real soon.  Thanks 

  • Rona
    rcupid2000
    Re: Re: Tony Orlando the best entertainer in the world
    Friday 16-Jun-2000 21:21:02
    Tony is the best entertainer in the world because he gives his audience every thing when he performs. He tells jokes  dances in the aisle  gets people out of their seats  dancing and singing with him. He is one of a kind.

Lucio

Videos Wanted
Tuesday 23-May-2000 22:09:34
Hello:   I'm looking for someone to tape the Tony Orlando and Ozzie and Harriet shows on Goodlife. Will pay for your troubles. Please email me if you can.  Lucio

  • Rona

    Re: Videos Wanted
    Friday 16-Jun-2000 21:33:28
    I would love to have some videos of the old shows in the 70s. I do not get that cable channel in NY. If anyone could make me a copy  let me know thanks. I wish Tony would make a video of his live shows that he performs now.

  • Susan

    Re: Re: Videos Wanted
    Sunday 18-Jun-2000 16:28:54
    I am also looking for videos of all the old Tony Orlando and Dawn shows  some other variety shows from the 70's would be much appreciated. So if there's anybody out there who has GoodLife TV and also wants to tape some shows  e-mail me and let me know. Thank you.

abe

single : Pick It UP
Tuesday  9-May-2000 17:22:50
I need the lyrics to the song "Pick It Up".  I've been searching the web with no luck. HELP!!!

  • Julie
    Re: single : Pick It UP
    Tuesday  9-May-2000 22:19:43

    Pick It Up:
    We can pick it up right  where we left off
    Girl  we can pick it up  right where we left off
    People make mistakes and break up-
    Like me and you
    But it's not too late to stop and pick it up 
    right where we left off.

    Everybody on the street
    The kids  the mailman today
    Saw me and just looked the other way.
    Our love was something so rare
    It touched everybody and I know that love is still there... Somewhere

    We can pick it up  right where we left off
    Girl we can pick it up  right where we left off.
    Music....
    But it's not too late to stop
    and pick it up  right where we left off.

    I remember how you laughed and cried
    Oh  not long ago
    When I said  "I love you."
    Still  do you know
    Somehow you got away
    And I want you back girl
    And I want you back here to stay.

    And we can pick it up  right where we left off
    Right where we left off
    Pick it up  right where we left off
    Woah girl it's me and you -- together
    And you and me -- forever
    And that's the way  it's gotta be
    Let's pick it up  right where we left off

    fade out.....

Tony in the Smokies
Friday  5-May-2000 21:42:33
How come no one has mentioned Tony appearing at the Governors Palace in the Smokies on Sat. May 13th. I read about it some place  but have not seen it posted.

jeannie
drummer
Thursday  4-May-2000 12:14:43
In the reply to the message asking if Timothy Pope was still Tony's drummer  someone replied that Timothy was working for another entertainer in Branson.  Who is that entertainer?  We are in Branson quite alot and if I can't see Tony  I would enjoy seeing Timothy.

  • Re: drummer
    Thursday  4-May-2000 22:17:00
    Tim is working for Tony Melendez.  He also teaches a lot of students in the area.

  • Rona

    Re: Re: drummer
    Sunday 18-Jun-2000 07:23:24
    I really miss Timmy. He was great with Tony. I wish the whole band would get together with Joyce and Pam and have a reunion. It would be great to see them all on the stage together again.

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