HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" CHAPTER 142- DINOSAUR RADIO HISTORY OF SYRACUSE ROCK N ROLL "THEN and NOW' REUNITES THE SANDY BIGTREE BAND ON MAY 31, 2015

Dinosaur Radio History of Syracuse Rock n Roll "Then and Now" Next live event #10 was Sunday May 31, 2015 and held at Pensabene's Casa Grande (Syracuse, NY) and with feature the Sandy Bigtree Band (Gary Lavancher, Dan "Cato" Eaton, Jimmy Johns, Pat Hodson and Sammy Hall of Famer Sandy Bigtree). Time 5-8 PM, doors opened at 4 PM. Admission is FREE.

Along with the Sandy Bigtree Band that evening will be The History of Syracuse Music All-Star Band featuring 16 of CNY's musical guests including- Buke Badikian, Ted Boileau, Mike Ferrante, Mark Hoffmann, Ed McBarron, Skip Murphy, Dave Novak, Frank Rhodes, Steve Schad, Don Shoudy, Curt Smith, Shane Storto, Ted Storto, Scotty Trudell, Bill Weiss & Mark Wildrick.. These musicians have or still perform in many of CNY best bands including- Timeline, Stroke, Blacklites, Letizia & Z Band, Nightcaps, Cross Creek, Coachmen, Hoffmann Family Band, Ad Ventures, Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters,  3's A Crowd, El Kabong, Fab Cats, Carman Licitra & The Viking, Sermon, Jam Factory, Out of the Blue  and others. They will perform over 20+ of your all-time favorite danceable songs.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 141- PASSING OF 1950'S VOCAL GROUP LEADER OF THE EMERALDS TOM ROYAL

On a sad note we report the passing of Thomas M. Royal April 18, 2015 at age 81. Tom was the leader of the vocal group "The Emeralds" (1955-57) and the father of the very talented Susan Royal famed drummer in many CNY bands/ Below a history of The Emeralds.

 

The Emeralds  Syracuse vocal group (1955-57) consisted of  leader Tom Royal (age 22), Greg Tierney (age 16), James Royal (age 18) and James Fagan (age 18). This great group never released any songs professionally but did have a four-song demo that included their classic song "School Boys Love' (also Red Top) that is included in Ron Wray's "History of Syracuse Music" album series.

 

The Emeralds earliest performance we can find dates back to October 13, 1956 at the VA Hospital for their "Helping Hands" event. That day they shared the stage with the Bigtree Sisters (Norma, Jean & Sandy), Melo Wiley and others. Next they played a show billed as "The Great Record Hop" at the Jefferson Street Armory (Feb 8, 1957) for WFBL Radio DJ Bill Thorpe & Chet Whiteside (WNDR). They appeared in Feb 1957 on Jim Deline Show on WSYR TV-3 and then at the Syracuse War Memorial during half-time at a Syracuse Nationals NBA game vs the Rochester Royals on Feb 14, 1957. Next Emeralds sang at the Jewish Community Center (March 2, 1957) with the Orange Peels.

 

November 1, 1957. brought the Emeralds to a Nottingham High football game for a stunning half-time performance then ended the year Dec 20, 1957 playing a Radio Talent show at the War Memorial with headliner Thurston Harris who had a national hit with "Little Bitty Pretty One". Also on that show was local area performers- The Eldaros (Bobby Green), Jennie Lee Lambert, Rhythm Cadets (Bebo Singleton & Otis Smith), Tex Roe (Country singer) , Johnny Carlo, Bobby Hosid and others.

 

April 18, 1958 The Emeralds shared the Lincoln Auditorium stage with Louis Armstrong and His All-Star band. A few weeks alter (May 7, 1958) came the Syracuse Youth Rally at the War Memorial with the 4 Vagabonds, Dick Van Dyke and Baseball Hall of Famer- Jackie Robinson. Then traveled to Rochester appearing at the Cotton Club.

 

A great career and a legendary great vocal group that we are still talking about to this day.

 

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE- CHAPTER 140- TONY TRISCHKA, PETER ASHER & JEFF ALAN ROSS MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT DINOSAUR RADIO'S HISTORY OF SYRACUSE- ROCK N ROLL "THEN & NOW" LIVE CROSS CREEK REUNION SHOW APRIL 12, 2015 AT PENSABENE'S (UPDATED)

When your involved in music every once in a while something wonderful happens when you least expect it. Well we can put Sunday April 12th, 2015 (5-8 PM) on that list. That evening Dinosaur Radio's History of Syracuse Rock n Roll "Then and Now" live events showcased Creek Creek (reunion) along with Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters at Pensabene's Casa Grande in Syracuse, NY

As the afternoon progressed wonderful things happened even before band soundchecks- first world famous musician Tony Trischka (banjo great) arrived unexpectedly. Tony had just performed in London, England took a flight to New York City and then drove to Syracuse. His first words to me "Ron I just had to be here". He referred to joining on stage his former Cross Creek band mates in a very rare reunion performance.

As the show started Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters filled the room with hot danceable music as always with veterans Dave Liddy, Mark  Gibson. Mike Ranger. Sharon Allen, Dave Schneider, Wayne Stevens, George Newton & Sammy Hall of Famer-Skip Murphy.

Then it was time for one of Syracuse's greatest all-time groups Cross Creek to take the stage. Dave Novak, John Cadley, Danny Weiss, John Dancks, Fred Lawrence, George Newton, Jimmy Johns and the great Tony Trischka. A great performance with great voices, and superb musicians. As we took in  I remember thinking this is one events that we'll talk about for a long while.

As the evening worn down in walked Sammy hall of Famer David Rezak with friends Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon) along with Jeff Alan Ross (of Badfinger) who were in town speaking at Syracuse University classes. Well I thought this was great they came to say hello. Well that was not the case, Peter Asher & Jeff Allen Ross came on stage and preformed many of their hits with Cross Creek.- I Go To Pieces, World Without Love, No Matter What, Take It Easy, 6 Days of the Road and more.

All in attendance were shocked and amazed that these superstars came unannounced and performed with Cross Creek . The full home, stood, danced, and applauded. At the end I stood their amazed at what had just happened, three of the greats (Trischka, Asher & Ross) all came and performed right here in Syracuse. Now that a great piece of Syracuse Music History.

 

Attending from Dinosaur Radio group were- Nick Caplan, Lee Goodman, Craig Fox, Melissa Midgely, Tony Fallico and Ron Wray.

 

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 139 - CNY BROADCASTING LEGEND RON BEE PASSES AWAY- MARCH 18, 2015

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing (March 18, 2015)  of CNY Broadcast legend Ron Bee after a long bout with Leukemia

A native of North Syracuse, NY,  Ron would go on to graduate from the University of Maryland and a Vietnam War veteran to joining the staff as new director at WOLF Radio AM-1490 in Syracuse (1972-81). He was half of the legendary morning show teaming with Rick Gary as "Rick & Ron".

Ron shift to WRRB FM (1981-84), WSYR (1984-85), WSEN (1985-90). WEZG (1990) and finally a number of years on WBBS- B-104FM teaming as morning host with Becky Palmer.  On November 9, 2004, they received the Country Music Associations award as "Best Country Music Radio Personality". That Ron always spoke of as the greatest broadcasting honor of his life.

Ron retired from broadcasting in 2007 after a auto accident had damaged his vocal cords. Ron & his family would relocate to Phoenix, Arizona

In mid 2014 Ron was diagnosed with leukemia and fought by opting for a stem cell transplant. Sadly our good friend Ron Bee passes away March 18, 2015. Ron Bee was a true CNY Broadcasting Giant that will be long remembered. I was proud to have worked with him and to have called him my friend....

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 137- SYRACUSE AREA MUSIC AWARDS- MARCH 5, 2015 - BOBBY COMSTOCK's HALL OF FAME INDUCTION SPEECH BY RON WRAY

Bobby Comstock was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame at the Dinosaur Bar B Que- Syracuse, NY the evening on Thursday March 5, 2015- The following is his induction speech given by Syracuse Music Historian- Ron Wray.

When talking to Bobby Comstock this morning I remembered back to receiving my best Christmas present- my first transistor radio with a earplug so I could listen to music into the night.  That's when I first heard Ithaca's "Bobby Comstock and the Counts". After two local releases Bobby was signed by Herb Abramson of Atlantic Records. His first major release "Tennessee Waltz" was played in over 17 countries around the world. This led to a week of TV appearances with America's greatest disc jockey Alan Freed. The same man who coined the term "Rock & Roll". Plus a spot on Alan Freed's 5th Anniversary Labor Day Shows at the Brooklyn Fox Theater- September 1959.

 

He later signed with Swan Records, Bobby's song "Let's Stomp" was performed by none other than the Beatles during their early days in Hamburg, Germany and the records flip side "I Want To Do It" was so popular that it was played by every band and heard on every college campus in Central New York and maybe in all the Northeast.

 

This led to a number of appearances on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" & Clark's "Saturday Night Beechnut" Television Shows. Clark also added Bobby to his famed "Caravan of Stars" traveling tours. He also  performed on shows with the Rolling Stones and Dave Clark 5. Next came a performance on Shindig with Chubby Checker and working with producer Don Kirschner known by all for his late night "Rock Concert" national television shows.

 

And finally asked by Richard Nader to become music director of his "Rock Revival Tours" for 20+ years (1969-90). This included stops in every major city including Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and New York's Madison Square Garden (over 50 times). He backed up the likes of Chuck Berry (over 300 times), Bo Diddley, the Shirelles, Gary "U.S." Bonds and many more Rock & Roll greats. Then on to motion pictures, in 1973 in Richard Nader's "Let The Good Times Roll".

 

What an amazing career with thousands of concert appearances. recording 20+ singles, his own album, a producer, conductor, and arranger and final in a feature film. Bobby Comstock by the way is also heard playing on national hits by- The Angel's "My Boyfriends Back", Freddy Cannon (Patti Baby), & The Strangeloves "I Want Candy". to name a few.

 

Bobby Comstock has become a true Central New York musical legend. It is truly a great honor for me to welcome Bobby Comstock into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame -    Ron Wray

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 136 - SYRACUSE AREA MUSIC AWARDS 2015 - HALL OF FAME CLASS AND AWARD WINNERS (Updated)

The Syracuse Area Music Awards held their 2015 Press Conference at the Palace Theater. MC- Joe Whiting announced the 2015 SAMMYS Hall of Fame Class- Loren Barriger, Bobby Comstock, Chris Goss and the band The Works. The Sammys Music Educator Award to- David Rezak and Sammys Lifetime Achievement Award to- Jon Fishman. Whiting also announced the finalist in the many music categories that will be presented at the Sammy Award Show at the Palace Theater on the evening of March 6, 2015


The Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame Induction was  held upstairs at the Dinosaur Bar B Que Thursday evening March 5th starting at 7 PM....Sammys Hall of Fame MC- Dave Frisina.  Tickets for this historic event were SOLD OUT in advance.. The 2015 Sammys Hall of Fame Class included- Loren Barriger (presenter- Austin Gravelding), Bobby Comstock (presenter- Ron Wray), Chris Goss, (presenter- John Mangicaro), The Works (presenter Dave Frisina). Sammys Music Educator Award- Dave Rezak (presented by Stacey Waterman), Sammys Lifetime Achievement Award- Jon Fishman (presented by his father Len Fishman). Note all were in attendance.


Friday March 6, 2015- Sammy Award Show was held at The Palace Theater (Eastwood) starting at 7 PM. Tickets $20. Performing acts that evening are as follow- Joanne Shenandoah, Grupo Pagan, Ruddy Well Band, Scars and Stripes and The Works. Sammy Award Show MC -Skip Murphy


2015 SAMMY Award Winner's-

Best Alterative                    -  Leah Shenandoah

Best Americana                  -  Jeffrey Pepper Rogers

Best Blues                            -  Castle Creek

Best Country                       -  Megan Lee

Best Hard Rock                  -  Nineball

Best Hip Hop                      -  Nick Case a.k.a. Decoy

Best Jam Band                   -  Joe Driscoll & Selou Kouyate

Best Jazz                             -  Nick Ziobro

Best Pop                              -  Nick & Noah

Best Other Styles               -  Samba  Larania

Best R & B                          -  Brownskin Band

Best Rock                            -  William Grutt

Best Singer- Songwriter    -  Alanna-Marie Boudreau

Brian Bourke Award        -  Spring Street Band
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Peoples Choice- Best Artist -              Briana Jessie

People Choice Award- Best Venue     Keys Canal Side

People Choice Award- Best Festival   Fox Fest

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE- CHAPTER 138- ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSN. OPENS "NEW" MUSEUM EXHIBIT- "SALT CTY ROCK"- THE HISTORY OF ROCK N ROLL IN SYRACUSE".

February 20, 2015- The Onondaga Historical Association held their grand opening gala of their museum display "Salt City Rock"-The History of Rock n Roll in Syracuse.  This great opening event featured live music performance by Sammy Hall of Famer's Gary Frenay & Arty Lenin (w/ Cathy Lamanna)  along with Phantom Chemistry Inclusive Or, Stonelord Brothers.

The display that will be in place for six months with feature concert programs & poster, sheet music, recordings 45, 33, 78, cylinders,  cassettes, 8 Track tapes, compact discs and others styles, band drum heads, classic photos, classic guitars  and clothing used by CNY's though the year and much more. A great place to visit for a look back at out CNY Rock music history.

I was proud to be a part of this event and on opening night seeing any old friends including Gary Frenay, Arty Lenin, Cathy Lamanna, David Soule, Chris, Baker, Carl Cafarelli, Russ Tarby and member of The Trend to name just a few.