HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 179 - GREG SPENCER'S GREAT SALT CITY BLUES CONCERT "ROCKS" THE PALACE THEATER- DEC 26, 2016

Greg Spencer with the success of his 2015 Blue Wave 30th Anniversary Concert featuring The Kingsnakes the band Greg started the Blue Wave Records label with in 1985, the idea was born of the Great Salt City Blues Concert.

On December 26, 2016 came the fruitation of the idea at the Palace Theater December 26, 2016. That evening, 22 of Central New York Best Blues Musicians took the stage in celebration of the CNY Blues Community past and present honoring  4 CNY Blues icons- Kelly James, Roosevelt Dean, Kyle Shirley and David Olson. A sell out crowd of over 700+ people witnessed a historic concert featuring the following 22 artists that still live and play in Central New York. These were the musician that Greg Spencer felt contributed most to the success to the Syracuse Blues scene. These included the following-

Colin Aberdeen, Bernie Clarke, Mark Doyle, Dan "Cato" Eaton, Todd Fitzsimmons, Mark Gibson, Mark Hoffmann, Carolyn Kelly, Pete McMahon, Ross Moe, Terry Mulhauser, Skip Murphy, Jerry Neely, Mike Petroff, Phil Petroff, Bob Purdy, Ron Spencer, Matt Tarbell, Morris Tarbell, Tom Townsley, Joe Whiting, Steven T. Winston.

These were the musicians that played in such Syracuse legendary bands as- The Kingsnakes, Built For Comfort Blues Band, Backbone Slip, Cold Shot, Ron Spencer Band, Carolyn Kelly Band, Dr. Blue, Mark Hoffmann Family Band, Phil Petrooff & Natural Fact, Bernie Clarke & Rhythm Sharks, Out Of The Blue and Los Blancos.

With the overwhelming success of this amazing concert, Greg Spencer has announced that this will become a annual event with a rotating cast of musicians in celebration of the Syracuse Blues Community. Please stay tuned for more information for next years show. To view video highlights  of last years concert please checkout the Great Salt City Blues Concert page on Facebook.

Many thanks to- Greg Spencer and all the CNY Blues Musicians that participated in this historic event.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 177- 'SOLATICE AT THE CATHEDRAL' HIGHLIGHTS SYRACUSE HOLIDAY SEASON

Syracuse Music Hall of Famer Joe Whiting serves as artistic director for this years amazing "Solstice at the Cathedral" December 8, 9 & 10 at St Paul's Cathedral, 310 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse. Always a fantastic holiday production Whiting lead as cast that included a Who's Who of musical treasures of Central New York that include the following-

Loren Barrigar & Mark Mazengarb, Donna Colton, Joe Davoli, Bob Halligan Jr, Brian Murphy, Van Norstrand Brothers, Jeff Stockholm, Marsha Hagan, Brian Scherer, Jim O'Mahoney, Dave DeSiro, Avery Head, Wayne Skinner, Tony Rashad & Larry Kyle.

One of those special event that if you haven't should not miss...each and every year.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 176- PENSABENE'S FINAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE ROCK & ROLL "THEN AND NOW" - GALA CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR- DECEMBER 4, 2016 WITH COACHMEN, LOREN BARRIGAR & MARK MAZENGARB, SHEELA TUCKER, BOB BROWN & HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC ALL-STAR BAND BEFORE A PACKED HOUSE.

The History of Syracuse Rock n Roll "Then and Now" live shows continued December 4, 2016 at Pensabene's Casa Grande on State Fair Blvd here in Syracuse. This event was the 17th in this tribute to our amazing Syracuse, NY Music History.

This jam packed Christmas Spectacular's Show lineup included the amazing Loren Barrigar & Mark Mazengard who were joined by special guest Sheela Tucker. Followed by the Coachman one of Syracuse's longest performing bands- Joe Neri, Michael Davis, Rock Falcone, Rob Sherwood,  Dave Frateschi, John Saltamach, and Dickie Cappotto, .they were also join for a few turns by songstress Sheela Tucker. And finally to complete the jam packed holiday show The History of Syracuse Music All-Stars band that included - Dave Novak, Mark Hoffmann, Bill Weiss, Don Shoudy, Mike Ferrante, Ted Storto, Shane Storto. Ed McBannon,, Steve Schad, and guest Hall of Fame drummer- Dave Hanlon with special vocalist- Bob Brown & Sheela Tucker.

An amazing  three+ hours of fun, dancing, and great music performed by a long list of Syracuse finest musical performers. The Shows Mc- was Nick Caplan of Dinosaur Radio and show produced by Syracuse Music Historian. Ron Wray. Dinosaur Radio was represented by staff  on the air  personalities- Craig Fox, Tony Fallico, Bob Brown, Lee Goodman, Dan Elliott, Bretagne Pidgeon, Chris Weidman & Nick Caplan 

The sad part of this awesome event was this was going to be the final show held at Pensabene's Casa Grande, as our good friend owner Terry Pensabene was retiring as of December 31, 2016. We had teamed with Terry Pensabene for 14 of our 17 live show event. We brought Terry on stage to say thanks you for his efforts and great friendship.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE "- CHAPTER 175 - RONNIE JAMES DIO INDUCTED INTO HALL OF HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY HALL OF FAME- JANUARY 18, 2017

It was announced (December 6, 2016) that our great friend Ronnie James Dio  will be inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History -Hall of Fame on Wednesday eventing January 18, 2017. The ceremony was held at the NAMM Convention at Anaheim Expo Center, 1960 So. Anaheim Way,  Anaheim, California. MC for this great event will be Eddie Trunk. 

Other inductees will be Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Rudy Sarzo, Vinnie Appece, by the way all three Dio friends, along with Randy Rhoads, Don Airey, Andy Zilfjian, Frankie Banali and Ross "The Boss" Friedman.

This event will be open to the public. Tickets aval now on there website - general admission ticket $25, VIP General Admission along with meet and   greet, plus Merch item $100. Time On January 18th - Induction 7-8:30 PM,  9 PM Live music to close. Congrats Ronnie ++++

Photo credit- Ron Wray Collection- Dio with Elf 1974 in Syracuse , NY

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 174 - THE DAY ALL BROADCAST MEDIA JOINED TOGETHER TO AID THE MARCH OF DIMES- JANUARY 17, 1965

Just flashback a little over 50+ years ago back to January 17, 1965 the Syracuse Broadcast community came together in one cause. a variety show...to aid the "March of Dimes". That day radio and television personalities joined forces in a 90-minute telecast on WNYS - TV 9 (now WSYR TV-9), starting at 5:30 PM.

The following performers were all presented by media and guest celebrities- Sam and the Twisters (Al Wolf, Jan Fetterly, Sam Amato & Mickey Palumbo), The Madisons (Jimmy Foran, Terry Golden, Carl Irving & John Whipple), Jamboree Boys, Bob Popyk, Dick Kowell and his Orchestra, Soda Ash Six, "Sox" Tiffault combo, The Four Closures, The Crestwoods, Mac Clafflin and his Country Rhythm Boys, New Techniques, famed vocalist Charlotte Hale, Franciscan Sisters, Men of Onondaga Singers, Banjos players from the Hutch House and some Polish Dancers,

Television personalities included WNYS TV-9's Baron Daemon (Mike Price), Red Parton, Phil Market, Charlie Featherstone and Carl Eilenberg. Other station were represented by- Ed Murphy & Carol Johnson from WSYR, Deanne Parkhurst, Bill Fortune, Doug Webster and Brian Madden from WHEN. Dave Mann, Ted Downes, Lenn Allen, Jerry Sanders, Dave Barker , Sally Sample from WFBL Radio.

WOLF Radio AM 1490 represented by- Windy  Craig, Dale Dorman, Jim Sims and Don Lancer. WNDR Radio AM 1260 by Dandy Dan Leonard, Jim O'Brien, George Plavocas, and Count DeCreep (Fran McGrath). WQSR Radio by Stan Maziuk (the Polka King), Leo "Mr Jazz" Rayhill and Aubrey Williams, WSQR by Ray Boyce, Nick Sanches and  Ron Vener, 

Also on hand for this unique event was Ed Brown chairman of Syracuse's Local 1965 drive. Fans who contributed in advance could go to the station and meet the stars. As a bonus for those who contributed the equivalent of a ticket were given a ticket to the WNYS- TV-9's premiere next Thursday of "Mary Poppins". 

An amazing and historic time for a wonderful charity the "March of Dimes".

PS- Channel 9 did hold this event again on January 22, 1966 with media hosts Bud Ballou, Phil Market, Carl Eilenberg and other Syracuse media members from WOLF (Windy Craig), WNDR (Dan Leonard & Jim O'Brien) & WFBL along with great musical talents as Sandy Bigtree, Sam and The Twisters, All Night Workers w/ Otis Smith, Fallen Angels, Bobby Green, Si Simpson plus others.

So Sorry to Hear of The Passing of Four Great Central New York Musician Recently - MIKE SECRETI , DAVE OLSEN, CHRIS SWEET & LEE OLICH

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE' CHAPTER 173 - SATURDAY NIGHT - NOVEMBER 12, 2016, ONE AMAZING EVENT - "LADIES NIGHT AT THE PALACE THEATER" 18 VERY MUSICALLY TALENTED LADIES PERFORMED IN A VERY SPECTACULAR SHOW- "ONE NIGHT ONLY".

One of those very special spectacular historic events was  held on November 12, 2016 "Ladies Night at the Palace Theater" in Syracuse, NY. at 7 PM  This packed event was a coming together 18+ of Syracuse's very-very talented musically gifted ladies who took the Palace Theater stage performing 26 songs for "One Night Only". Here is a list of those who performed...first the vocalists-

Ashley Cox, Donna Colton, Carolyn Kelly, Jess Novak, Joanna Jewett, Letizia, Lisa Romano, Joanne Troy Perry, Kate Kolb, Maureen Henesey, Moe Harrington, Susan Royal, Liz Friedich,  Robyn Stockdale, Kat Dooley- Wandersee, Tamaralee Shutt, Terry Bender and Anna Marle-Lopez White.

These ladies were backed up musically by talented Kristopher Heels, Chris Notarthomas, Frank Neubert and the great Jimmy Cox. During these performance others assisted musically they are- Bob Kane (drums), Liz Friedel (violin), Peg Newell (guitar), Tamaralee Shutt (trumpet), Melissa Gardener (trombone), Sam Patterelli (bass), Langston Masingale, 

Audio- Mike Angiolillo & Steve Schad.

Event MC- Amy Robbins

Produced by Red Shoes Black Bag Productions (Julie Briggs, Joanna Jewett).

Here's just a few of the many folks that came up to say hi that night- Julie Briggs, Jordan Davies, Mark Nanni, Kate Kolb, Tom Rozzano, Kate Dooley-Wandersee, Greg Gannett, Royce McMannis, there are many others.

Another in a long line of great Syracuse Musical Historical events. You all made our CNY Music scene proud. Congrats++++