Perry Como News

Maxine Brown Russell, the vivacious entertainer, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend passed today at Bowman Hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas from complications of heart and kidney disease at the age of 87. Her family was by her side.   Born April 27, 1931 in Campti, Louisiana, Russell was predeceased by her parents, Floyd and Birdie Brown, sisters Bonnie Ring and Norma Sullivan, brothers Jim Ed Brown and Raymond Brown, and her son, Tommy H. Russell, Jr. 

The hilarious angel doo-wop quartet of Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smudge (Craig Sherman, Philip McBride, Augusto Guardado and Andrew Allen) again return to Earth to get a second chance at 'making it big' after missing out on the opportunity when a freak accident caused their demise on the night of February 9, 1964 while the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Believing their mission is to find the purpose for their return, the spirited guys set out to recall past show-stopping performances, finally realizing how much it meant to bring joy and music to their fans.

From Bizet's "Carmen" to Ravel's hypnotic one-movement orchestral showpiece, "Bolero," on December 14 and 15, the Utah Symphony performs music inspired by the infectious flamenco rhythms and passionate spirit of Spain. Guest conductor Jun Markl returns to the Abravanel Hall stage leading the orchestra and guest pianist Ingrid Fliter performing Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain." Tickets are priced from $15-$86 and can be purchased at utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 533-6683.

Mariah Carey stopped by Pandora's NYC office to chat about Caution and was presented with a Billions plaque for having close to 5 billion spins. In addition, she's Pandora's all-time leader for holiday songs with over 308 million spins alone for her classic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'

One of the most popular off-Broadway hits in history, the hilarious and charming musical comedy, Forever Plaid comes back to the Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, for one more Magic Moment, November 16-18. The show follows The Plaids, a young, all-male singing group whose lives were cut tragically short in the 1950s, as they return from the afterlife to stage one final concert featuring the most popular songs of the era.

One of the most popular off-Broadway hits in history, the hilarious and charming musical comedy, Forever Plaid comes back to the Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, for one more Magic Moment, November 16-18. The show follows The Plaids, a young, all-male singing group whose lives were cut tragically short in the 1950s, as they return from the afterlife to stage one final concert featuring the most popular songs of the era.

LA's own Impro Theatre will perform this holiday season from the Valley to the ocean with two of their highly-acclaimed shows: 1966 Holiday Variety Extravaganza at Garry Marshall Theatre (November 30 - December 9) and Jane Austen UnScripted at The Edye at The Broad Stage (December 14 - 22). Impro Theatre incorporates audience suggestions to create completely improvised, full-length shows in each style.

In celebration of Italian history month the 'American Popular Song Society' presents the music of Harry Warren (Salvatore Guaragna), a composer of Italian descent and major contributor to the Great American Songbook.

Rudy's Jazz Room and Hippie Radio are excited to present Tim Rushlow & His Big Band Classic Christmas for a 10-show holiday residency at the popular Nashville speakeasy in the Gulch on December 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15. Show times for each night are at 7:00PM and 9:30PM with both General Admission dinner and show tickets and special VIP dinner and show packages that include special gift bags, a meet-and-greet, and intimate pre-show performance with Rushlow. Tickets are available here.

In celebration of Italian history month the 'American Popular Song Society' presents the music of Harry Warren (Salvatore Guaragna), a composer of Italian descent and major contributor to the Great American Songbook.

There are few shows of this genre, i.e., cover bands, tributes to, impersonators and artists embodying a legendary character... or three or four... that have the triple-threat talent needed for these portrayals of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

The 1950s was a period of racial stress in much of the south. Lynchings, school segregation, separate lunch counters and drinking fountains, blacks to the back of the bus, laws against black and white mixing. Even separate black and white radio stations was the custom, as were black and white musical styles. Patty Page, Perry Como and 'nice music' was the white style. Rock and Roll was for blacks.

For over 50 years, Perry Como ranked as one of America's most successful and beloved entertainers. A big band singer in the late 1930s, a radio star in the 1940s and then a TV headliner in the 1950s and beyond, Perry was a warm and welcome presence in tens of millions of households for six decades, charting over 100 hit songs along the way.

Dick Williams, born Richard Blaine Williams on June 7th, 1926 Wall Lake, Iowa, USA, passed away on May 5th, 2018 in Burbank, CA USA to natural causes

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final extension of its latest production, Memphis. Memphis must close Saturday, June 16, following that evening's 8 p.m. performance. Now playing through June 16 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, features  book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan and  is directed by Daryl D.  Brooks, assistant directed and choreographed by Christopher Carter, music directed by Jermaine Hill and assistant choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces that due to audience demand Memphis is now extended through Sunday, June 10, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Coming May 4th, the Italian American Club of Las Vegas will host a tribute to its most illustrious member: Frank Sinatra. And who better to bring the essence of Ol' Blue Eyes back to that legendary stage but the exceptional Dave Halston. Critics have raved about Halston's tribute to the iconic Sinatra, calling it 'stunning' and 'spot-on'. Halston creates a brilliant interpretation of the beloved Chairman of the Board.

Singer TONIA TECCE, who has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Academy of Music and sung with Peter Nero and many orchestras, made her very successful New York City cabaret debut in 2013 at The Metropolitan Room.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) this week kicks off the 60th anniversary celebration of its prestigious Gold & Platinum Program, the industry's premier award for recognizing artistic achievement in the music marketplace.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2017-2018 season concludes with Memphis, April 19 - June 3, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Memphis, book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan, is directed by Daryl D.  Brooks, assistant directed and choreographed by Christopher Carter, music directed by Jermaine Hill and assistant choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins.