Peter Nero and the Philly Pops Perform John Mueller’s 50’s Dance Party

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops® brings to life dance-inducing, finger-snapping classic pop and rock 'n' roll with John Mueller's 50's Dance Party (March 2, 4, 5, and 6, 2011). Peter and The POPS open the evening with a first half filled with the iconic sounds of the decade, including popular hits like "At the Hop," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?," and "Rockin' Robin"; Henry Mancini's indelible theme to Peter Gunn; music from the Broadway classic South Pacific; and American Songbook standards ("Just One of Those Things," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "I've Got the World on a String") that were introduced to a new generation by Frank Sinatra.

The second half of the program is an upbeat homage featuring the music of rock 'n' roll idol Buddy Holly, musical pioneer Ritchie Valens, and the exuberant disc jockey-turned-recording-artist the Big Bopper. John Mueller performs the songs of Buddy Holly- "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day," "Everyday," "Oh, Boy," and "It's So Easy"-taking an authentic approach to the music, playing on a reissued 1957 Fender Stratocaster, the exact year and make of Buddy's guitar. The hits of trailblazing rocker Ritchie Valens, including "La Bamba," "Donna," and "Come On, Let's Go," are performed by Ray Anthony. J.P. Richardson, Jr., son of the Big Bopper, steps into the spotlight singing the hits that made his father a star-"White Lightning," "Someone Watching Over You," and "Chantilly Lace."

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops' season continues with Music and Comedy with Robert Klein (March 30, April 1-3, 2011) and Big Numbers featuring Peter Nero at the piano and the unmatched virtuosos of the Philly Pops playing your most requested songs (May 15, 18, 20-21, 2011).

Peter Nero

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of Peter Nero's recording career, which eventually produced 69 recordings. In 1960 he was signed to a three-year contract with RCA Victor Records, which was then renewed for another five years, producing more than 26 LPs, including Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Piano Concerto in F with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. The following year, he was honored with his first Grammy Award, as "Best New Artist of the Year."

In October 2009 pianist and conductor Peter Nero was honored with lifetime achievement awards from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Philadelphia Musicians' Union Local 77, AFM. He also received the Mario Lanza Award, in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music, in November 2009.

"If the perfect pops conductor could be conjured, ... he might answer to this description," wrote Philadelphia Inquirer music critic Peter Dobrin: "Huge talent with polymath abilities and catholic tastes. Musician who actually enjoys giving audiences what they want. Plays piano like a dream. ... [H]e might look something like Peter Nero."

"Peter Nero is, of course, known for his piano playing, covering a range from classical concert repertoire to straight-ahead jazz. His fingers stretch as far as Art Tatum's, and he practically knows no limits on the Steinway. He is also a fine conductor ... Philadelphia is lucky to have him and his, by now, trademark Philly Pops," said All About Jazz's Victor L. Schermer on May 8, 2009.

A two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist, Peter Nero leads his unrivaled Pops orchestra blending classical, swing, Broadway, blues, and jazz-all performed with virtuosity, authenticity, and an inviting sense of humor. The Washington Post has called him "the epitome of the Pops Conductor/Performer."

One of his greatest achievements is being the founding Music Director of the world renowned Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. On January 27, 2007, Mr. Nero joined Rod Stewart from the piano for a performance of "They Can't Take That Away from Me" at the Academy of Music 150th Anniversary Concert. Mr. Nero's recent guest performances include engagements with the Indianapolis Symphony, the National Arts Centre Symphony in Ottawa, the Charlotte Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, and the Baltimore Symphony, among others. His complete concert schedule can be found at www.peternero.com.

As a Steinway artist for over 50 years, Mr. Nero returned to New York's Carnegie Hall in 2003 to perform at a gala celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Steinway with many noted pianists, including Dr. Billy Taylor, Herbie Hancock, and Michel Legrand.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Nero began his formal music training at the age of seven. By the time he was 14, he was accepted to New York City's prestigious High School of Music and Art and won a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. Constance Keene, his teacher and mentor, once wrote in an issue of Keyboard Classics that "Vladimir Horowitz was Peter's greatest fan!"

In addition to his two Grammy awards, he has garnered 10 additional nominations and released 69 albums. After his early association with RCA Records, he moved to Columbia Records, which resulted in a million-selling single and album-The Summer of '42-now available on CD.

His recordings over the last 14 years include two CDs with the Philly Pops, Holiday POPS! and Broadway Showstoppers, and three CDs with full symphony orchestra: On My Own, Classic Connections, and My Way. He also recorded Peter Nero and Friends, which contains collaborations with Mel Tormé, Maureen McGovern, and Doc Severinsen, among others. His latest CDs are romantic albums titled Love Songs for a Rainy Day and More in Love. By popular demand, four of his earlier vinyl recordings have been re-issued on CD. Music lovers of all generations can now hear him on Rod Stewart's album As Time Goes By ... The Great American Songbook, Volume II.

Mr. Nero's first major national TV success came at age 17 when he was chosen to perform Rhapsody in Blue on Paul Whiteman's TV special. He subsequently appeared on many top variety and talk shows, including 11 guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and numerous appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, Mr. Nero starred in the Emmy Award-winning NBC Special "S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Gershwin." Other TV credits include performances on PBS-TV's "Piano Pizzazz" and with the National Symphony in Washington, D.C., on its July 4th special titled "A Capitol Fourth." He served as music director and pianist for the PBS-TV special "The Songs of Johnny Mercer: Too Marvelous for Words" with co-stars Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, and the Philly Pops.

Among Mr. Nero's long list of honors are six honorary doctorates (the most recent from Drexel University in 2004) and the prestigious International Society of Performing Arts Presenters Award for "Excellence in the Arts." He is also included on two historic walks of fame-one in Philadelphia, and one in Miami, Florida. In 1999 he received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award, presented by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Previous honorees include Marian Anderson, James Michener, Andrew Wyeth, and Riccardo Muti. In February 2009, the Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia presented Mr. Nero with its prestigious Lincoln Award as part of its Lincoln Day 2009 celebration. The Award is given to persons of distinction who, through their actions, have significantly contributed to the United States of America.

Peter Nero is an active supporter of many important causes, including the funding of school music programs, fundraising for the building of new arts centers across the country, as well as research for cancer, dystonia, and autism.

When not touring the world, Peter Nero makes his home in the Philadelphia area. He has two children-Beverly, a successful film producer residing with her husband in California, and Jedd, a commercial real estate entrepreneur residing with his wife near New York City. Both children have made him a grandfather.

Guest Artists

Born and raised in Wichita, John Mueller first appeared as Buddy Holly in the world stage premiere of Be Bop A Lula in Hollywood. He then won a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal in the theatrical production of Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story at Kansas City's American Heartland Theatre. He has performed this role in many other cities, including San Diego, Chicago, Toronto, and Miami. Mr. Mueller's acting career has also included guest roles on the E! Entertainment network, Ellen, Lois and Clark, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., and the film Bloodline, which also featured two of his original songs.

Mr. Mueller has performed with several members of Buddy Holly's band. Since 1999 he has toured the U.S. Midwest to recreate the Winter Dance Party that was to be Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper's final tour. Other highlights include a performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with John Mellencamp, Marshall Crenshaw, Nanci Griffith, and Joe Ely, among others; a live TV appearance on the Jerry Lewis Telethon; and a performance at Texas Tech University's halftime show.

J.P. Richardson, Jr., the Big Bopper's son, was born on April 28, 1959, just three months after the fateful plane crash that took his father's life. He was raised by his mother, Adrian Joy Richardson, in Beaumont, TX. Mr. Richardson played football at Beaumont High, just as his father did. He graduated from Beaumont exactly 30 years after his father.

Mr. Richardson knew very little about his father while he was growing up. It was during summers spent with his grandparents that he learned that his father had been an outgoing radio personality and musician who wrote several pop and country hits.

In the early 90s Mr. Richardson owned a nightclub called the Little Bopper. Since becoming a performer he has played with many great rock acts, including The Crickets, the Drifters, the Coasters, Freddy Cannon, Bobby Vee, and the Shirelles. Highlights include retracing his father's footsteps on the Winter Dance Party tour of 2000, performing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and being part of the VH1 special documentary "The Day the Music Died."

Ray Anthony is a veteran of the music industry. A self-taught guitar player, bass player, drummer, and songwriter, his career highlights include Rock and Roll Heaven, Legends of Rock and Roll, Superstars in Concert, and performing as a guest artist in major hockey arenas in Canada. His United States credits include Legends in Concert, Legendary Stars, and '50s at the Hop in Branson, MO.

Mr. Anthony was first turned onto rock and roll at the age of seven while watching Elvis Presley in the "1968 Comeback Special." Ironically the Ritchie Valens tribute fell into his lap. While performing his 1950s and '60s single act throughout Canada and the U.S., audience members began making reference to Ray's uncanny resemblance to Lou Diamond Phillips in the 1987 film La Bamba, and ever since he has become synonymous with Ritchie Valens.

Based in Las Vegas, Mr. Anthony also performs frequently with the Legends in Concert show at the Imperial Palace.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops

Recently hailed by allaboutjazz.com as "arguably the best pops ensemble on the planet today," Peter Nero and the Philly Pops was founded in 1979 under the musical leadership of pianist and conductor Peter Nero. Maestro Nero's unique talents and innovative programming ideas blend all musical genres making their concerts widely popular in the pops world. POPS concerts run the gamut from great classics to jazz improvisation, big band to Broadway hits, ragtime to rock 'n' roll. Peter's participation as piano soloist is always received with boundless enthusiasm and acclaim. Guest artists-both established stars as well as outstanding new vocalists from Broadway and the concert stage-join The POPS each season. The Voices of The POPS, the resident vocal group, has become a member of the Philly Pops family as well.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is the Official Pops Orchestra of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a significant part of Philadelphia's cultural scene. The POPS has produced continuously growing and loyal audiences and performs to regularly sold-out crowds as a resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops has played a role in the City of Philadelphia's Fourth of July celebration for over 25 years. On July 3, 2009, for the sixth consecutive year, Peter and The POPS performed a free outdoor concert in front of Independence Hall. This immensely popular annual event, which includes a musical tribute to all branches of the armed forces, draws thousands of attendees. The 2008 concert also featured Peter and The POPS performing music for the wedding of premier historic re-enactors Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde, better known to Philadelphians as Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. On July 4, 2006, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops performed a free outdoor concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Their concert on the Parkway the previous Independence Day, featuring Sir Elton John, Patti LaBelle, and Bryan Adams, reached over a half million people. Other notables who have joined them for past city celebrations include James Earl Jones, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Ray Charles, Boyz II Men, and Dionne Warwick.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops celebrated its 30th anniversary during the 2008-09 season. Their Holiday POPS! CD featuring vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is available on DRG Records.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops had the honor of performing at the opening of the National Constitution Center in 2003, and participating in National Public Radio's nation-wide radio broadcast on July 4, 2002. Another highlight took place in April 2002, when Astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn made a guest appearance with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, in a special performance of Peter's original composition Voyage into Space at the Kimmel Center. Peter and The POPS was featured on ABC-TV's "Independence Day 2001," a live, star-studded national broadcast, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Garth Brooks.

Other memorable moments through the years include a performance at the Republican National Convention during the summer of 2000; a Washington, D.C., gala performance to commemorate NASA's 40th anniversary in 1998; Philadelphia's "We the People" concert, the 1987 celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, which was broadcast nationally on CBS-TV; and a debut at New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1984, with a return visit in 1997.

For many years Peter Nero and the Philly Pops performed in the historic Academy of Music. In December 2001, they became the second largest resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art, world-class venue on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is presented by Encore Series, Inc., a non-profit organization enriching the cultural life of Philadelphia through the performing arts. For more information, please visit www.phillypops.org.