Message:

What can I say! Tony's current show at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks is fabulous.

Built on the framework of his major hits, he adds several songs from his recent appearance in Smokey Joe's Cafe--Ruby Baby, Spanish Harlem, Stand By Me, Young Blood, I Who Have Nothing (on Saturday and Sunday nights his performance of this song generated a standing ovation from the audience) and on Sunday he added Little Egypt. An interesting side note--Tony had to teach his band members Little Egypt the night before--they had never done it.

Tony allowed the individual members of his band to display their many musical talents and they performed songs ala Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, followed by the Led Zeppelin song Whole Lotta Love (yes a Led Zeppelin song at a Tony Orlando concert--the audience went wild) and ending up with the Everly Brothers version of Bye Bye Love.

The show also has some pretty hilarious moments that had everyone in the audience in hysterics. I won't spoil the surprise for those of you going.

Enjoy!

P.S. Tony also sends his thanks and appreciation for all of the work that went into putting this web site together.

Pat

Pat,

It was so nice to be able to talk to you Sunday night. I agree, Tony and his band put on a fabulous show - as usual. I loved hearing all the old TOAD hits and the many Smokey Joe's tunes...Very entertaining!!!

A lot of work is put into this site by many people (you know who you are:-)) And we are all so glad to know that Tony appreciates it. Tony, Telma and Joyce are wonderful people and have contributed greatly to the television and music industries and our goal at the Friends of Tony Orlando and Dawn Web Site is to recognize and celebrate those contributions.

We look forward to new and exciting web site projects and many more great performances by Tony!!!!

Julie

You know it Pat. It is a fabulous show and your description was right on the money. Tony was workin that crowd big time. Could be because many of his long time fans from Northern California were there? He certainly made a big deal about that. People who go back to the "old days at the Circle Star" and so on.

And D--who would have thought a 70 year old guy could move like that and look that good! That line Tony gave to D about "you know who" was a scream. The expression on his face was priceless.

Cary did a great job on all the vocal imitations. If you closed your eyes, you could have been sitting in concert with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers...and the Led Zeppelin song...who'd have guessed that one? The audience was rockin! Tony's follow up to that song had me under the table. Lord, where is an oxygen tank when you need one? That was the best.

Speaking of the best, I agree with Tony. This site is THE BEST!!!

Denise

Great show!!! (and excellent report, Pat). Tony HAS to do more shows on the West Coast. Unfortunately, the Circle Star no longer exists, but there are plenty of other venues in the Bay Area. Jon should look into that.

Tony, I'm so glad that you're out there touring again instead of landlocked in Branson, but please, please, please, get more bookings where your long time fans can see you. They had to open the balcony areas for the shows to accommodate everyone!!! I ran into a lot of friends from the "old days" at those shows. We had a sort of reunion of our own.

Rob

You were right about the standing-o for the song "I, Who Have Nothing". Well deserved for the performance. I haven't seen him get so into a song since he used to sing "I Am, I Said" back in the 70s. I agree with Rob, those Northern California audiences sure bring it out in him.

Charlie

May I add more to what's already been said? Tony was in rare form up in Sparks. The road brings out the best in him. He's got his sparkle back.

Hope he never goes back to Branson and continues touring like he's been doing this year. Seems like he's had nothing but trouble back in that darn town. T--Stay on the road where you are loved and appreciated--where your long time fans can see you.

And you at Friends of TOAD. Thanks for all the information you give us on Tony and on Telma, Joyce and Pam as well. Most of his Branson fans probably don't even know who these ladies are, but we sure do, and we haven't forgotten them either. One of my favorite parts in the shows was when the ladies got their solo spotlight. I sure missed that this time around. Lots of people in Sparks wanted to know what they are up to. Will we see more tour dates for them? I sure hope so.

Being at the show was like old home week. So many people I knew from years gone by (and we haven't aged a bit LOL!) When you are a fan of Tony, it sticks. I couldn't believe some were so prepared as to bring their 20+ year old photos of them with Tony. Makes me wonder what happened to mine. H-m-m-m-m, I'll have to ask my hubby what happened to those. I'll have to find them for next time. I hope Tony comes back before year end.

I loved Tony's show--and that Led Zeppelin number just blew my mind. Tony was right, we certainly weren't expecting that at his show. And the numbers he did from Smokey Joe's had the joint jumping. I was pure worn out by the end of the show.

Thanks Friends of TOAD for having this message board for everyone. Makes me wonder how many of us were at the same show.

Rita

The shows ran overtime the nights I was there. Tony was having too much fun with the audience to end the show. The showroom people weren't happy about it, but we in the audience were. We all left with bruised palms and hoarse voices from so much clapping and singing.

What a night, what a show, what a band.

I agree with everyone else. Tony's show was great! As always. I hope to see him more here in Northern California. He can see where all his old friends are. We all miss you out here in California.

I hope we will get to see Joyce, Pam and Telma perform more often also. It was nice to see that they had a performance out there for us to go see them at.