HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC- "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 209 - TODD HOBIN BAND'S ROCKIN CHRISTMAS EVENT.. TEAM WITH THE DEAN BROTHERS FOR DECEMBER 16 HISTORIC HOLIDAY SHOW AT SHARKEYS.

Every once in a while a very special event comes our way. This time the December 16th Show at Sharkey's featuring the Todd Hobin Band along with the Dean Brothers a true pre-holiday treat. The Todd Hobin Band- Todd Hobin, Doug Moncrief, Shawn Hobin, Brett Hobin and Bruce Fowler treated the packed house to many Hobin favorite tunes mixed with a blend of popular songs. Opened the gala event was Hall of Fame band the Dean Brothers. John,  Bob, Peter Dean and Holly Gregg who always provide a set of fun favorites including hits song "Sell My Misery" & 'Who Loves You" and songs from their hit Lp "As They Are". A great night of two Hall of Fame Bands, many longtime friends and local media members.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 208- TWO LONGTIME CLASSIC SYRACUSE BANDS TO SHARE THE STAGE IN A MEMORABLE LIVE SHOW- OCTOBER 7, 2018- ISREAL HAGAN & STROKE along with WILKESBURY BRIGADE-AT LIVERPOOL HOLIDAY INN.

Story coming soon.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" CHAPTER 207- RICK CUA TRIBUTE SHOW- JULY 29, 2018 AT BARBAGALLOS IN SYRACUSE, HUGE LIST OF RICK's MUSICAL FRIENDS TO RETURN TO PAY TRIBUTE......WAS SOLD OUT

After over three years of planning we finally scheduled our 'Rick Cua" Tribute Show for Sunday July 29, 2018 at Barbagallo's, 6344 East Molloy Rd in Syracuse, NY. Rick Cua the 4 time Sammy Award Winner who has had 6 Number #1 singles along with 2 Gold Record Award in his amazing career to date. This event was label as "CNY Music Legend Series" first live show. It was so great finally to honor our longtime friend of so many years.

This "Sold Out" historic event included many musicians from all periods of Rick's long and wonder career including original members from the Campus Walkers, Dove, C.R.A.C. Sparrow, Celi Rain and Blues Council.

Musician returning included Dave Hanlon, Rick Chisholm, Tom Rozzano, Howie Bartolo, Bob Halligan Jr, Bob Stasko. Emedin Rivera, Larry Serafini, Tony Hooper (from Nashville), Cathy LaManna, Joe Davoli, Don Martell and Rick Cua. MC- Nick Caplan from Dinosaur Radio. Many photos were taken by Sandy Roe, Juan Junco, Lee Goodman & Dave Proia as well as three great video segment recorded by Juan Junco and each part can be seen of UTube. A Ron Wray Production.

Show sponsors included- Dinosaur Radio, Syracuse New Times, SubCat Studio,  Hearth Cabinets and more,  Barbagallo's and Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts. Doors opened to a huge line awaiting outside at 6 PM with the music running from 7- 9++ PM.

Song List as follows

Campus Walker- Knock On Wood, But Its Alright, Spooky, Soul Man.
Dove- Suffragette City, Locomotive Breath, Listen Here, Crossed-Eyed Mary
Sparrow- I Don't Wanna Hear It, Live Music
Celi Rain & Blues Council- That's All the Lumber, Red Motorcycle
C.R.A.C.- Ask Me No Questions, Of The Lites, Everything Man, Everything to Me.

Finale with Everyone on Stage - Hold On I'm Comin,

One of those very special Syracuse Music Historic Events honoring one of our greats "Rick Cua' that many never happen again. What a wonderful time had by all.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 206 - CNY MUSIC COMMUNITY SADDENED WITH THE SUDDEN PASSING OF MUSIC LEGEND - DON BARBER

We are sad to report the passing on CNY music great Don Barber on may 26, 2018.

He first formed the band Donnie and the Dukes in 959 (Don Barber & Walter Stiles), They reorganized in 1960 with a musical lineup of Bob Story (bass), Don Barber (vocals, drums), Dave Blatchley (rhythm guitar) & Skip Seyerle (lead guitar). With help from WNDR Radio's "Dandy Dan" Leonard the group entered Syracuse's Riposo Studio and recorded a two-side regional hit single "I'll Be Blue" b/w "Henrietta" on the Personality Record label (1961).

"I'll Be Blue" was released nationally by Buck Ram, who was also the manger of the national group the Platters. With Dan Leonard managed the band though the years and with his help was responsible for their national & regional success. This included involvement with Three Rivers Inn that springboarded Don's career to host many Sunday "Teen Canteen" Shows. They also appear regulary as the Little Brown Jug in downtown Syracuse.

Don Barber & The Dukes shared the stage though the years with such national acts as- Custis Lee, Del Shannon, Bobby Rydell, Lloyd Price, Bell Notes, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Rodgers, Bob Crew, Erbie K. Doe, The Tokens, Viscounts, Bobby Sherman, Chubby Checker, Freddie Cannon and Johnny and the Hurricanes.

By 1963 there lineup included Don Barber (vocals, bass) with new personal Chuck Mellone, (keyboards), Joe Sawmiller (guitar), Dave McQuillan (drums), In mid 1964 Jack Belle (of Continentals) handled guitar duties during a long summer engagement at Lake George in early 1965 for a backup session for The Madison and stayed together to record there hit "The Waddle". Also heard on the Waddle on keyboards was Kal Dee plus backing by The Madisons. With the popularity of this hit single the band toured across the Northeast with performances with nationals acts as The Angels, Johnny Thunder, Lou Christi along with The Newbeats & Vascals in Agawan park, Mass on July 11, 1965.

If Don Barber's ame seems familliar his family ran the Barber Funeral Home in Homer, NY. for many years. As a historical note- CNY saxophone great John Kane can also be heard on Barber's early recording of "I'll Be Blue" and Henrietta".

Don Barber and the Dukes have appeared yearly at Cortland, NY Summer Festival. Joining Don on stage were Mickey Lee Soule (ELF), Brian Miles (Brians Idols), Mike Shaw (Mad Jack), Larry Baker (Triple Threat, Essentuals), and  the legendary bassist Joe Leo. In late 2011, the band' re-united to re-record a video of the classic song "I'll Be Blue" (50th Anniversary) that included photos and a band early history. You can still see it to this day on youtube.

When we at Syracuse's Dinosaur Radio started out History of Syracuse "Rock N Roll" Then and Now live stage shows Don Barber & the Dukes along with the Livin Ennd shared the stage in our very first show some 4 years ago.

Don Barber our friend will be dearly missed. Don we salute You

Then came the band second single "The Waddle{ (old Bernie Milton song) b/w "Whats Your Name' release on Thunderbird Records in May 1965. The band's lineup on this recording- Barber, Sawmiller, with WOLF DJ' Fred Winston (on drums). This threesome was put together in early 1965 for a backup recording session g for the Syracuse band The Madisons and stayed together

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 204- ROCKIN THE REDHOUSE EVENT- MARCH 24, 2018

Rockin The Redhouse V Benefit Concert was held at the Landmark Theater on Friday Event- March 23, 2018 from 7 to 10 PM.

Band Line Up

Six Pack (Anheuser Busch)
Rebecca Bennett, Nick Offredi, Keith Renfrew, Gio Pettigass, Kevin Kiniry, Adon Allen

The Verdict (Bousquet Holstein PLLC)
Aaron Frishman, Phil Bousquet, David DiNiro, Mike Tyszko

CxTec Dinosaur  (CxTech)
Mike Featherstone, Asley Cox, Steve Robisnon, Mike Kelly, Josh Taylor, Bruce Peterson

The Chillerz (Carrier Corp)
Amy Hebert, Dave Marr, Ralph Vito, Dave Dufresne, Mike Dufrense, Jan Sink, Joyce Kuppe;

Petty Cash (BNY Mellon)
Andrea Turnbill, Geri Gittino, Brittany Rich, Mike Boronczyk, Brandon Morse,
Grant Hamelin, Jessica Huse, Joe Grosvent, Kevin Garvey

JAM Wireless  (JMA Wireless)
Scott Billings, Gayle Callen, Andrew Franklin, Karthik Janardhana, Christopher Mohr.
Jordan Ragos, Alex Shao, Megan Simmons, Micheal Tierney, Daniel Wing.

The Salamanders (Arcadis)
Jim Blasting, Dave DeSantis, Eric Dievendorf, Kelly Hendrickson, Mike Jones,
Fred Kirschenheiter, Andy Lewandowskim Doug Nodine

Side Shifters (Raymond Corp)
Mike Lennon, Dave Russell, Stone James, Tim Wilson, Tim Breeze

Defense Mechanism- (Lockheed Martin)
Greg Gannett, Kate Kolb, Bob Volk, Jim Murphy, Dan Morison, Dave Lambrysch

Event Judges
Syracuse Music Hall of Famers- Dave Porter, Todd Hobin, Maria DeSantis,
along with Steve Brown (SubCat Studio)

GMs
Glenn Gomez Adams & Lisa Chelenza

Closing Cover Band-
Run For Cover

2018 Winning Band       CxTech Dinosaurs

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 203- SYRACUSE AREA MUSIC AWARD HONORS NEW HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2018 . MUSIC EDUCATOR AND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER AT DINOSAUR BAR B QUE- THURSDAY MARCH 1, 2018

Syracuse Area Music Award- Hall of Fame Class of 2018 - Induction Event -March 1, 2018 held upstairs at the Dinosaur Bar B Que.  7-10 PM

John Cadley
Presenter- Dave Novak

Dove    
(Rick Cua, Larry Arlotta, Dave Hanlon, Howie Bartolo, Larry Serafini)
Larry Arlotta represented by his wife- Cathy Arlotta.
Presenter- Ron Wray

Stacey Waterman
Presenter- David Rezak

MaryJo Spillane
Presenter- Jeff Gordon


Other Awards Presented the Evening of March 1, 2018

Music Educator Award Winner - Monk Rowe
Presenter - Tom McGrath

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner   - Dave Frisina
Presenter- Mike Frisina

Event MC- Holly Gregg


In the Sold Out crowd for Sammys Hall of Fame Induction- we saw follows listed below.
(PS- Music & Media Folks- If you were there and we didn't see you and your name is not listed below, please advise and we will gladly add your name to the list below)

Colin Aberdeen, Bill Ali, Kathy Arlotta, JoAnn Bakeman,  Bill Baldwin, Howie Bartolo, Jeff Bishop, Jack O. Bocchino,  Julie Briggs, Cathy Cadley, John Cadley, Nick Caplan, Chuck Chao, Jean Chao, Donna Colton, Rick Cua,  John Dancks,  Jordan Davies Mike Davis, Mike Donohue, Mark Doyle. Liz Lanza Doyle, Carol Fargo, Debbie Foley, Tim Fox, Gary Frenay, Dave Frisina, Mike Frisina, Jeff Gordon,  Holly Gregg, Mike Greenstein,  Dave Hanlon, Kristopher Heels, Tim Herron, Mark Hoffmann, Tom Honan, Joanna Jewett, Bob Kane, Carolyn Kelly, Jim Lucas, Tom McGrath, Doug Moncrief, Dave Novak, Jess Novak, Liz Nowak, Carol Thoryk-O'Leary, Sam Paterelli, Joanne Troy Perry, John Price, Dave Proia, Bob Purdy, Frederick Reed, David Rezak, Tom Robinson, George Rossi, Monk Rowe, Larry Serafini, Mike Sheppard, Maryjo Spillane,Scott Sterling, Todd Stiles, Robyn Stockdale, Russ Tarby, Stacey Waterman, Steven Winston, Ron Wray, Jane Zell

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 202 -' HAMMOND JAMMIN XIV" RETURNS TO THE DINOSAUR BAR B QUE- FEBRUARY 25TH, 2018

On Sunday afternoon February 25th  "Hammond Jammin XIV'  (Rockin the B3) returned to the Dinosaur Bar B Que (Upstairs) corner No. Franklin & W. Willow Streets from noon till 6 PM-

Hosted by Gerry Testa, and Dinosaur Radio's Nick Caplan,  is part of Syracuse's Winterfest 2018.. Free Admission Free...

Performance music lineup includes..

Gerry Testa & Plan B featuring Vera
Rick Jewett with The Lawless Brothers
Al, Phil & Mike Petroff & House Party Band
Bill Barry with Monkey Fever (Greg Liss, Lenny Milano)
Michael "Groove" Davis with members of The Coachmen & Kia with special guests
Skip Murphy & Mark Hoffmann
Dave Solazzo & The Hip Replacements (w/ Jeff Stockham)
Jon LeRoy Trio

Sponsered by Dinosaur Radio, Syracuse New Times, SubCat Studio and Atlantic Hammond
and Leslie

ps- Other musicians & media spotted in the crowd- Lou Segreti, Harold Mantor, Tim Burns, Mike Ranger, Scotty Trudell, Rick Cappotto, George Feldman, Ted Storto, Rance Walters, Tony Fallico,