The Broadway musical Jersey Boys became an international hit and brought attention to the hits of Frankie Valli ane The Fours Seasons and to the music of the 1960s. 

Twenty-two year old Gavan Rousseau expresses the vocal quality of a young and handsome Frankie Valli that is reminiscent of his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1962.  Close your eyes and it is Frankie Valli.  This group incorporates the look and harmonies of the original Four Seasons.  They will bring back memories and songs like Oh! What A Night, Walk Like a Man, Dawn, Sherry, Rag Doll, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Candy Girl and many more hits with ease and nostalgic flair of those years gone by.  All of the instrumentation an vocal harmonies are performed LIVE and with the aid of no tracks.  It's the real deal when it comes to tributes!  The look, music and harmonies of the original Four Seasons are all intact! 

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were the inspiration for the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Jersey Boys.  The Four Seasons are one of the best-selling musical groups of all time having sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide.

Valli was born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio in Newark, New Jersey.  From a young age he was influenced by jazz, doo-wop and soul along with artists such as The Drifters and Frank Sinatra. Realizing he needed a stage name, he changed his last name to "Valley' and eventually to "Valli" after a friend and country singer, Texas Jean Valli.

In 1961, The Four Seasons was formed with Valli on lead vocals.  Other original members included Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.  The other members of The Four Seasons were older than Gaudio.  Valli, born in 1934, turned 26 in 1960, guitarist Tommy DeVito born in 1928, turned 32 and bass player Nick Massi born in 1927, turned 33.

Tommy DeVito was born Gaetano DeVito on June 19, 1928 in Belleville, New Jersey.  He is best known as a founding member, baritone vocalist and lead guitarist. DeVito performed and recorded with the group from 1961 to 1971.

Nick Massi was born Nicholas Macioci on September 19, 1927 in Newark, New Jersey.  Sadly, Nick passed on December 24, 2000 taking with him one of the original voices of the original Four Seasons.

Robert Gaudio, the youngest, was born November 17, 1942 in Bronx, New York. He is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger and was the keyboardist/backing vocalist of The Four Seasons between 1962-1972.  He, then, largely retired from stage work while continuing to write and arrange their songs plus produce/perform on their records.  In 1990, The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio.

                                        

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Tribute on Ice

Sears Centre/Chicago Illinois

A spokesman for the show said the location had been selected for the gig and TV taping because of the strength of Chicago's skating market and the city's demonstrable affinity for Valli. 


The show was the creation of Disson Skating that specializes in the combination of live music acts and skaters.  The line-up of skaters included, aptly enough given Valli's heritage, the five-time Italian champion Silvia Fontana along with Olympic gold-medalist Brian Boitano, the three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss, the British champion Steven Cousins and the world-champion Yuka Sato. 

In the video you will see Steven Cousins perform the backward flip .. twice.


Jersey Seasons and the wonderful sound of the 60s would have appeared on the floating stage today, August 30.


And lastly, my favorite song by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons? 

Who Loves You.


Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Elvis .. Bemus Style

While attending the Elvis tribute show in Bemus Point one summer I asked this waiter named John to pose for a fun photo before the concert.  "Elvis" promptly set down his serving tray and "struck a pose" for my camera!

                                       
Rick Alviti's Elvis tribute show is high-energy and full of audience interaction.  From corporate entertainment to casinos to the Chautauqua Lake Pops, this Elvis impersonator's show has everything one would want in a live show!

Rick has performed all over the country and in many parts of the world from the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas to the award-winning Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York owned by the Oneida Indian Nation to Malaysia for the Prime Minister.  While there he raised $250,000 for refugees in Kosovo.

Rick perfected his skills as a live performer at his own venue named Celebrity Theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  His all-Elvis, Vegas-style tribute played 6 nights a week for several years.  Rick and the talented Rick Alviti Showband have taken this tribute show on the road and now travel across the country to bring this act to a wider audience wanting more!

Rick Alviti brings the passon, commitment and professionalism gained from his years as an actor/entertainer while living in Los Angeles.  Although Rick is truly a master at performing for a live audience, these skills have been enhanced by his other appearances in movie roles, on radio shows and television performances such as ER with George Clooney.

This tribute to Elvis is truly the closest thing to a live Elvis performance you will ever see or hear!

When Rick Alviti looks in the mirror, he sees Elvis.  There's no getting around it. The pushed-back hair.  The thick, bushy sideburns. The sexy sneer.  The blue eyes.

It's no wonder this actor had to face the music, so to speak, and learn how to "be" Elvis.  Several years go, Alviti, was living in California trying to be an actor and working as a single bartender at a popular club across the street from the NBC studios in Burbank.  He said he was one of the few who could sing and mix drinks at the same time!  Soon he became the singing Elvis behind the bar.

"Every day, someone said something about Elvis and told me I should go to Vegas. So I decided to try it though I wanted to make sure I represented him in the proper way.  I started studying.  I watched all of his movies and saw him in concert.  I rehearsed for a year.  then, things just took off for me.  I was getting all kinds of Elvis jobs and parts."

One of his more memorable performances was for Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion in 1998.  Some diehard Elvis fans who have seen Alviti's show say that he is one of the best!  In fact, they rank his show among the top!   Btw, Alviti's father, Richard, is his manager. 

This tribute to The King would have appeared on the floating stage today .. August 29.


Be safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Southern Rock

HIGH NOON is the East Coast's premier tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Southern Rock, performing exclusively the 70s classic hits of Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws and The Marshall Tucker Band.  With a deep dedication to the legacy of this timeless music HIGH NOON rings an authenticity like no other.  Listed below are the talented musicians of HIGH NOON.


Terry  Tyson (guitar/vocals)

Steve Gallucci (bass, vocals)

Doug Landis (keyboards, saxophone, vocals)

Don McCord (vocals, saxophone, flute, percussion)

Scott Stephens (guitar)

Sandy Croxton (vocals, percussion)

Mike Killela (drums)



Today, August 28 High Noon would have appeared on the floating stage.

Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

On August 23 .. several in the Chautauqua Lake Pops organization met for a summer picnic at the Pops site in Mayville with the floating stage nearby ..  a stage that has seen many a tribute band for the enjoyment of all Pops ticket holders in Bemus Point and in Mayville.   Dan and Sue Dalpra reminisced about the inaugural year of the Pops in 2019 and how disappointing it was to not have a 2020 season though we all look forward to seeing the Pops return in 2021.

On that date in late August .. was the running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500 despite the absence of dedicated race fans filling the grandstands.  Unfortunately, with races whether it be Indy, Nascar or Formula 1 there are crashes. So with just 7 laps to go Indy driver, Spencer Pigot spun out and hit the end of a pit row retaining wall halting the race to the checkered flag.  The 2020 race was finished under a yellow caution flag.  Race car driver, Takuma Sato won the race with a Honda engine.  Finishing the race today was Takuma Sato,  Scott Dixon (after leading 101 laps) and Graham Rahal .. 1, 2, 3.  Sato is now in the record books as a 2 time winner of the Indy 500. Personally, I was hoping Marco Andretti would be drinking and pouring that bottle of milk over his face and hat though the Andretti name had the pole position in Row 1 after time trials held on the prior Sunday.

So in 2020 .. the race that is usually run over Memorial Day weekend was run in the month of August with empty grandstands and no balloons afloat prior to the race though military jets flew overhead and the very traditional Back Home in Indiana was performed as was the National Anthem by 2 frontline nurses in the fight against COVID-19.  Having been to this historic race in 1984 the winner was Rick Mears and it was an experience I have carried with me ever since!  When the Purdue band played Back Home in Indiana, the colorful balloons went skyward and the Gentlemen Start your Engines command was given to the 33 drivers I felt a lump in my throat that didn't go away until the checkered flag waved on that beautiful sunny race day in Indianapolis, Indiana .. in the heartland of America.

An Indy 500 Winning Smile!

We are living in strange times with the Kentucky Derby usually being held the first Sunday in May now having been held this year on September 5.  Your Derby hat perhaps was decorated with Fall flowers though your mint julep was more than likely the same when we heard the announcer at that racetrack say .. Rider's Up!


If a COVID vaccine is hopefully found by 2021, I predict as does Danica Patrick .. the attendance at the 2021 Indy 500 will be .. "the best ever"!

If a COVID vaccine is hopefully found by 2021, I predict .. the attendance at the 2021 Chautauqua Lake Pops will be .. the best ever!

Until there is a safe vaccine .. be safe, wear your mask and social distance.

Thank You.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Takin' It To The Streets is the ultimate Doobie Brothers tribute show.  They recorded What A Fool Believes, Listen To The Music, It Keeps You Runnin', Another Park, Another Sunday, Minute By Minute, Dark Eyed Cajun Woman, Take Me In Your Arms, and many more including the title of this Doobie Brothers tribute band .. Takin' It To The Streets!

With amazing vocal skill and top notch musicianship, Takin' It To the Streets 'brings it' night after night, show after show!  This Doobie Brothers concert experience doesn't get any better than .. Takin' It To The Streets!

"The vocals were incredible, the musicianship amazing."

Florida Today


"Outstanding.  The Doobies would definitely approve."

Kansas City Pitch


"One of the best tribute concerts we've ever seen."

CBS New York


"We couldn't be more excited to be making an appearance on the floating stage in Mayville NY.  We've heard many great things about it and we're looking forward to having the experience."

Vinnie Brandi
Galaxy Entertainment
www.doobiestribute.com 

Today, August 22 is the date this tribute band would have appeared on the floating stage.

Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse  

The AHN Floating Stage 2019

This was the stage in Mayville prior to the concert season last summer.  This year we have witnessed a different stage appearance after it arrived from its winter home.  A stage with only a large patriotic banner depicting an American Eagle and the words, GOD BLESS AMERICA.

The AHN Floating Stage 2020

Many bands have walked onto this stage through the years so if this stage could talk it would be heard to proudly say .. bringing the arts to the people has been my pleasure.

The Chautauqua Lake Pops plans to return in 2021 with many of the same bands scheduled to have appeared in 2020 on the .. stage that floats.

It was a hard pill to swallow not seeing the Pops in 2020.  And so I believe the song that best describes my feelings and the feelings of others is by Chicago .. You're a Hard Habit to Break.  We heard this song last summer and for many summers in Bemus Point by Brass Transit. A group of talented and accomplished award winning musicians formed in 2008 who pay tribute to Chicago.  

Ian Jutsun, lead vocals

I never thought the lyrics of this song would have so much meaning this summer and in 2018 when the Pops spent that year looking for a new location on the lake.

Q: What happens when 8 in-demand musicians and signers gather together out of a common love for one of the most successful pop/rock groups of all time?

A: Brass Transit .. a dynamic, crowd-pleasing, studio-tight powerhouse and the world's foremost Chicago tribute!  This group pays tribute to the decades-long and multi-platinum songbook of Chicago! 

Be Safe.   See you in 2021.

Make It Mayville!

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Riccardo Curzi - vocals; Paul Mulley - guitar/background vocals; Adrian Ellis - bass/background vocals; Jeff Vidov - keyboards/ background vocals; Derek Babanin - drums/background vocals.

The bands hometown is Toronto,Canada.  The Absolute Journey tribute is the most traveled Journey tribute band in the world entertaining thousands!

Formed in Toronto, Canada in early 2014  the quintet proposes a faithful reproduction of the Steve Perry era of the San Francisco act enriched with audience interactivity, projections, backdrops and true-to-the-original costume changes. AJT doesn’t aim to be a plain carbon copy of the real thing: every effort on stage, from singing and playing to the moves is so natural and heartfelt that it captivates even the most skeptical critic. The band operates internationally between North America, Central America and South America.

Your journey starts with lead vocalist, Riccardo Curzi!

Riccardo always felt the call to music as something essential in his life. Since he was 18 he has been honing his technical and expressive vocal skills to match the perfection of his masters: Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell, Bobby Kimball, Eric Martin, Bruce Dickinson and many others. Hungry for live performances and driven by a lifetime commitment to music he is finally putting his experience into action by paying tribute to .. Journey.  Riccardo's vocal talents are one of the closest voices you'll ever hear compared to Steve Perry, lead vocalist with Journey!

After watching an Absolute Journey tribute concert, you will feel like you have just left an actual Journey concert!  "Our goal is to leave a lasting impression with our audiences."  Seeing is believing!

Absolute Journey was the first band to appear on the Allegheny Health Network Floating Stage in Mayville NY on June 29, 2019.  They would have appeared this summer on July 18.


Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Authenticity

Fleetwood Mac Mania has earned the reputation of being the most authentic sounding Fleetwood Mac tribute band in North America, and have played for audiences of up to 18,000 people.  Each veteran player in this world-class tribute band brings their spirit to re-create with incredible accuracy, the look and feel of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks.  

Visual & Musical Artistry

Fleetwood Mac Mania (formerly known as Fleetwood Mix) is a stunning visual and musical tribute to Fleetwood Mac, one of the most iconic and successful bands of our time.  With the solo hits of Stevie Nicks as part of the show, the harmonies, the instrumention and on-stage chemistry has surprised and captivated audiences from coast-to-coast.  Fleetwood Mac Mania has earned the reputation of being the most authentic sounding Fleetwood Mac tribute band in North America.

World Class Musicians

Fleetwood Mac Mania has earned the reputation of being the most authentic sounding Fleetwod Mac tribute band in North America. The front line of Fleetwood Mac Mania is Jenn Taylor (Stevie Nicks), Connie Scriver (Christine McVie) and Jeremy Stimers (Lindsey Buckingham).  These three capture the harmonies and front-line chemistry with passion, committment of the original singers who made Fleetwood Mac one of the most successful bands of our time. Incredible percussionist/drummer, Eddie Cromwell holds down the signature Mick Fleetwood style and sound.

"Our experience working with the Pops has been so pleasurable.  The sound technicians and the enthusiastic crowds have been wonderful!  The floating stage has a very organic vibe as we feel the water below and see the many boaters behind us.  Sometimes we get a whiff of sunscreen and the exhaust from the boats.  It's a party atmosphere!  Outdoor concerts are not always easy, but the crew manages to produce a great sound both on and off the floating stage."

Connie Scriver

This tribute band would have appeared on the floating stage .. July 12.

Be Safe & Don't Stop Thinkin' About Tomorrow!

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse

Hollywood Nights Tribute to Bob Seger

Hollywood Nights is the ultimate tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.  This New Jersey based powerhouse has set out to recreate everything about Bob and his music right down to the smallest detail.  Determined to leave no stone unturned, Hollywood Nights even tours with a baby grand piano!  With a rock solid history of giving it their all at every performance and unwavering dedication to the do-it-yourself work ethic, the band has helped define the landscape of today's top tribute acts.  Hits include Old Time Rock n' Roll, Night Moves, Against the Wind, Still the Same and We've Got Tonight.  

Hollywood Nights prides itself on continuing the amazing groundwork laid down by Bob over the past 40 plus years.  They share the belief that only Bob and his fans have come to know, learn and love:  Represent the voice of every fan, his or her values, working class background and the love of rock n' roll. 

Band members are:

Rick Murphy, lead vocals

Chris Uyvari, lead guitar

Roger Mancini, lead guitar

Alec Seigeldorf, piano

Andy Mohler, saxophone

Steve Salter, saxophone

Matt DeCarlo, drums

Glenn "Bird" Nichols, bass/backing vocals

Robin Murphy, backing vocals/percussion

Krista Reinhardt, backing vocals

Dee Dee Mann, backng vocals

Hometown:  Hainesport New Jersey

Bob Seger was never the LA type:  Born and raised in Michigan, he remained rooted in the Detroit area and built a reputation as a blue collar rock star with a Midwest sensibility.  When he got off the road and hunkered down to record, he often did so at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, which is even more distant (physically and culturally) from Los Angeles.  For the 1978  Stranger in Town album, he worked in Detroit and in Alabama, but went to LA to finish the album.  When he was there, he rented a house in the Hollywood Hills, where he could see the bright lights of the big city. 

The "Hollywood nights, Hollywood hills" idea came to him when he was driving in the area. When he went back to his rented house he saw a copy of Time magazine (March 6, 1978) with supermodel Cheryl Tiegs on the cover.  She fit the LA model type: blonde and skinny with a huge smile.  Her headline read: The All-American Model.

Using the chorus he came up with in the car, Seger started crafting a story about a guy from the Midwest who comes to Hollywood and meets his dream girl.  They go on whirlwind adventures, but it comes to a sudden end one morning when he wakes up alone.  He's left looking for the Hollywood Hills, wondering if he can ever go back home.

On the Stranger in Town album cover, the Hollywood Hills are in the background behind Seger.  The photo was taken on the lawn of the house he was renting!  

"Hollywood Nights -- Roll Me Away"

"The floating stage on Chautauqua Lake has always been that one summer gig the whole band looked forward to each visit. As a performer, you saw everyone on the lawn area having a great time and all the people out on the restaurant decks and floating bar enjoying the day.  Then you turn around and see all the boaters anchored together forming their own little islands and ready to invite you onboard to share their bounty.  The sponsor's pontoon boat (Chill Lounge) always left the welcome mat out for the band. The Bemus Bay Pops was truly a hidden gem in New York State and it seems like everyone liked it that way."

Rick Murphy, lead vocalist with Hollywood Nights


Today, August 16 .. Hollywood Nights would have appeared on the floating stage.  

Be Safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

What happens when eight of Canada's most in-demand musicians and singers gather together out of a common love for the greatest jazz-rock group of all time?  The answer:  Brass Transit .. Toronto's dynamic, crowd-pleasing, studio-tight Chicago tribute! 

The Brass Transit show includes all the hits from Chicago's golden age.  Featuring a world-class horn section, a rocking rhythm section and vocals stacked sky-high.  Brass Transit transports its audience back to the freewheeling days of the 70s.  

Prior to Ian Jutsun, lead vocalist the band featured lead vocalist, Neil Donell who has been called Canada's most recorded voice.  Originally hailing from Montreal, Donell has established himself as the premiere session vocalist in Canada.  "You blew me away!"  Those were the words of internationally renowned music producer, David Foster when he first heard Donell perform at Toronto's legendary Club Bluenote in the 80s.  High praise indeed, yet such accolades are commonplace for this highly respected and sought after singer.  

I have been told that Donell is now singing with the original group, Chicago!  

This is Brass Transit now with lead singer, Ian Jutsun.  Ian is one of Canada's most respected voices. The tribute band was formed in 2008 and brought together the most talented and accomplished award winning musicians.  Their sole purpose was to pay tribute to one of the world's greatest and most successful pop/rock groups of all time, CHICAGO!

Since then, the group has toured North America dazzling audiences with their flawless performances and spectacular attention to every detail of the CHICAGO songbook.  Hits like: Saturday in the Park, 25 or 6 to 4, If You Leave Me Now and You're the Inspiration have left crowds in awe and on their feet more than once during a show, evoking comments such as "spine-tingling", "brought me back to my youth" and "perfect in every detail". Brass Transit goes far beyond just imitating the songs .. they embody the music!

Brass Transit is comprised of the following instrumental members: Tony Carlucci on trumpet is a veteran studio musician and band leader; Bob McAlpine on guitar and backing vocals is a versatile veteran rocker; Paul Delong on drums is a jazz educator; Don Breithaupt on keyboards and backing vocals is an Emmy award winner; Doug Gibson on trombone is a low brass specialist; Phil Poppa on saxophones and backing vocals is a multi-woodwind sideman and Jay Speziale on bass and backing vocals is a rhythm and blues master.

They recently produced their first CD taking top hits from the 70s and recording them with horns in the CHICAGO style. The result is a fresh approach to some of the greatest hits of that era.  They have also just recently scored their show for full symphony with orchestral arrangements that are truly spellbinding!

The video below features MSO (Mississauga Symphony Orchestra) with Brass Transit.  The MSO has been active in Mississauga since 1972.  Under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco since 2013, the orchestra continues to offer entertaining and increasingly sophisticated programs from classical and popular repertoires of symphonic music performed to the highest artistic standards.

   This symphony orchestra version of their show was developed in 2014 adding yet another dimension to the Brass Transit ultimate Chicago experience!

Ian Jutsun

Phil Poppa

Brass Transit has been performing as the world's premiere interpreters of the music of Chicago to the enjoyment of many Chicago fans.  Thank you Brass Transit. 

Today, August 15 .. Brass Transit would have appeared on the floating stage. 

Be safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

"They say everything happens for a reason.  I truly believe that it may be so."

Anna Fales

In 2014, a change in careers led me to ask my last customer, Danelle Dalpra, if there may be any part-time positions at the Italian Fisherman for the summer.  Danelle promptly directed me to speak with her father, Dan.  I was told someone was needed to sell tickets for the Bemus Bay Pops.  One thing led to another and I was soon overseeing guest operations as an assistant to Dan.

I often teased that I had the "best office" in the world and for many reasons quite possibly the best job in the world!

Who could have argued with me!  I was enjoying summers on beautiful Chautauqua Lake, meeting wonderful people from all over the United States, Canada and even around the world. Then, of course, I had the "best seat in the house" to not only the most breathtaking summer nights imaginable, but also to some of the greatest entertainment around.  Guests would often tell me they have never seen anything so unique in all of their travels and often told me how lucky we were to have such a wonderful venue in our community.  

I have to admit before working for the Pops, I had never been to a concert on the floating stage.  I still can't believe it when I think back.  I realized for myself just how special the Pops was on the evening of a Think Pink Floyd concert in 2016. On that night, I had the good fortune of being able to go onto the roof of the Italian Fisherman.  The scenes I witnessed from all sides took my breath away! The streets were a river of people, the side yard was jam-packed and so were all of the nearby restaurants.  When I looked out over the lake, the bay shimmered with tiny boat lights like diamonds sprinkled near the floating stage and throughout the bay.  That particular evening of music was without a doubt my favorite memory of the Pops and the one memory etched in my mind, forever!  It is one of the main reasons I stayed with the Pops for so many years.  I soon realized how important this little concert venue was to our entire county, to its economy and to its tourism history!

We were very blessed over the years with many selfless volunteers, a talented pool of staff, many generous sponsors and friends who were instrumental in our success.

Over the years, the Dalpra family became like family to me and to my entire family .. all of whom worked and volunteered for both the Italian Fisherman, the Bemus Bay Pops and eventually the Chautauqua Lake Pops.

I cannot thank the Dalpra family enough for what they have done for my family and our community, at large.  I hope the Pops is here to stay!

In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Bemus Bay Pops through the years and most recently the Chautauqua Lake Pops which celebrated its first official concert season in Mayville NY in 2019.  For those of you who have never attended a concert or have considered supporting the Pops organization, please do so.  It is a wonderful way to help the community and to keep the music playing on the beautiful Allegheny Health Network Floating Stage.  

Anna Fales

Think Pink Floyd presented an unparalleled reproduction of the live Pink Floyd experience when they stepped onto the Bemus Bay Pops floating stage during the summer of 2016 while Anna stood on the roof of the Italian Fisherman taking in the sights and the sounds when the Bemus Bay Pops was located in Bemus Point NY.

That night, the band delivered the music of the classic Pink Floyd concerts of the 70s and the 80s.  The national touring act performed the music from all eras and every classic Floyd album.  Based out of Philadelphia, members of the quintet call Pennsyvlania and New Jersey home, but travel the United States offering fans the chance to truly experience the music of Pink Floyd .. live in concert complete with a full laser show, stage props and the iconic round video screen while often times playing complete albums.  

Be Safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

Brunello Lodovico Dalpra

Brunello was the Bemus Bay Pops mascot!  Brunello's owner is Danelle Dalpra who was head chef at the Italian Fisherman and one of Dan and Sue's three daughters.  This photo was taken in 2017 so Brunello has grown up since this photo was taken of him as a puppy. He posed for me that day in Bemus Point as if to say .. "Do you want my paw autograph?"

"Why sure, Brunello.  You are a celebrity! Do you know another celebrity dog?  I just happen to know one and his name is Marmaduke.  Marmaduke's owner was the world-famous cartoonist, Brad Anderson who happened to be a cousin of mine!"




I didn't see Brad on a regular basis since he lived out-of-State though I do recall when Brad and his wife, Barb visited Chautauqua County from their home north of Houston Texas they would stop at the Cadwell Cheese House in Dewittville NY for an assortment of cheeses and to see owners, Ford Cadwell and his daughter, Jane Currie.  When I lived in South Florida I recall spending time with Brad and Barb in Boca Raton FL at the International Museum of Cartoon Art.

The late cartoonist Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey started the IMCA in Greenwich CT though it eventually was relocated to FL and is now on the campus of Ohio State University.

During Brad's life he would often times send me letters with a hand-drawn cartoon. Brad would always sign the letters with two endearing words, Woof Woof.  Brad and Barb who were high school sweethearts owned a female Great Dane named Marmaladee who we had the pleasure of meeting when Bill and I visited them in Texas many years ago.  They lived on Lake Conroe so during one fun visit the Andersons they took us for a boat ride. I don't recall the name of their boat though somehow I imagine it to be .. Marmaladee or Marmaduke.

Anderson's studio was re-created for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown NY which opened on August 1, 2018.  The donated studio includes Anderson's original drawing board and materials.  I have personally seen this re-created studio and I was emotionally moved when seeing the beautiful tribute to my cousin, Brad Anderson.

Brad's Great Dane named Marmaladee was often times a contributor to the cartoon.  She liked to engulf Brad's hand with her mouth while Brad tried to draw.  When designing the statue to Brad's specifications prior to his passing this photo was the one that was used to help create the statue images as it happened in real life.

The sculptor, Don Sottile from Penn Yan NY and formerly from Westfield NY  is also the sculptor of the President Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell statues who are in Westfield on the corner of N. Portage and Main Street.  Don was present at the statue unveiling in Portland along with the Anderson family, friends and guests.

Don studied art at the State University College at Buffalo New York, the University de Siena and Scuola del'Arte in Italy majoring in painting and sculpture.  He decided to return to his first love of fine art sculpture so he built his own studio.  He has since produced may commissioned works and a body of personal work for several shows winning numerous awards as well as being acclaimed in the art world.

At the start of this project, Sottile was able to meet with Brad who discussed what he wanted the statue to portray.  The final product depicts Anderson being nudged in the arm by Marmaduke in an effort to get a play session started as Brad is in the middle of drawing a comic. This was based on Anderson's own dog's attempts to lure him away from work. Because Sottile was able to exchange ideas in person with his subject, he was able to capture the look on Marmaduke's playful face and place the figures in the positions that Anderson wanted.  This collaboration created a beautiful tribute to Anderson for all to enjoy.



Brad was father to a daughter, Christine and three sons Craig, Paul and Mark.  His son, Paul now draws the cartoon though Brad continued to draw the antics of Marmaduke until his passing.

"During the time I was drawing various types of dogs in my magazine cartoons, I was also trying to develop a dog character specifically for eventual newspaper syndication.  You couldn't see the eyes of my shaggy dogs so as I thought more about it I decided I wanted a dog where I could have an expressive face."

Anderson, who said that he drew on the Laurel and Hardy routines for his ideas received numerous awards and recognitions for his work.  In 1978, he received the Newspaper Panel Award from the National Cartoonists Society and in 2012, the NCS awarded him the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award.  Syracuse University awarded him the George Arents Pioneer Medal for alumni in 1999.  Many Marmaduke book compilations appeared including a 50th anniversary compilation.  Brad was generous with his time and frequently visited schools. He worked for and donated artwork to many animal charities.

Marmaduke was animated by Ruby Spears in 1980 for segments in the animated Heathcliff show and a full length live action movie based on the strip, Marmaduke appeared in 2010. The voice of Marmaduke was actor, Owen Wilson.   Other voices featured in the film were from Fergie, George Lopez, Emma Stone and Kiefer Sutherland.



Brad was born to Jennie and Perl Anderson in Jamestown NY though Brad grew up in Portland NY.  His mother said that he started to draw before he began to speak! His hometown roots raised him to be an honorable and humble man who was committed to his family and country, along with bringing joy to others through his Marmaduke cartoon. He began drawing at an early age and sold his first cartoon to Flying Aces magazine when he was only 15 years old.  Following his graduation from Brocton Central School in 1943, he served with the U.S. Navy until 1946 in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  After the war, he attended Syracuse University under the GI Bill intending to study industrial design, but he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in advertising.

While at Syracuse, Brad served as an editor and regularly published cartoons in the student magazine entitled The Syracusan.  After graduation he went to work for Ball & Grier, an advertising agency in Utica NY for two years leaving in 1953 to focus his career as a freelance cartoonist and submitted single panel cartoon drawings to the Saturday Evening Post, Collier's and other magazines.  In 1954, he began two family oriented comic strips, Grandpa's Boy which he drew until 1966 and he created his famous "Marmaduke" comic strip that became extremely popular and the strip he was best known for through the years. Marmaduke was syndicated in 600 newspapers which included 20 countries worldwide.  Among them were the United States, Sweden, Greece and England. Marmaduke was a winning formula and remains one of the longest running syndicated newspaper comic strips of all time!

Brad believed that part of his comic's strength derived from the fact that he did not try to give the dog a human personality. "He's not a talking dog.  He doesn't walk on his hind legs.  He walks and does things a real dog would do", said Brad.  His cartoon helped fill a void for older people who could no longer keep an animal.


A gigantic dog frequently described as a canine Dennis the Menace, Marmaduke drove his owner, Phil Winslow, crazy in one-panel comics on weekdays and in strips on Sundays.  Brad told the Dallas Mornings News in 1999 .. "I wanted a larger dog.  I wanted a dog that doesn't know it's a big dog, because big dogs don't realize how large they are.  They want to sit in your lap."

If you look closely at the above cartoon, you will see his son, Paul's signature tucked in by his father's famous signature.


"I get alot of letters from people who are in retirement homes and sometimes they can't keep a dog anymore so this is their pet.  They watch the paper for it and they clip is out and put it in scrapbooks."

"I have enjoyed doing Marmaduke who resembles a very big Great Dane, but he's really a cartoon dog and so are all of his dog buddies, but they resemble different breeds which made it fun for me to draw.  In the beginning, I wanted Marmaduke to take on the characteristics of a real dog, so he walks on four feet and doesn't talk.  He's not a talking dog who says cute or funny words.  Also, Marm is not into politics, religion or whatever.  He does like to sleep at his master's bed or chair, bury bones in the backyard, stand on his dog house and look into the neighbor's yard, ride in the car, watch cartoons and shows on TV, play with the kids, visit the retirement home, go for a walk and chow down dog food.  Marmaduke has alot of real dog habits that lead him into funny situations.  It seems to me that dogs are more popular than ever and I anticipate Marmaduke will continue creating laughs, chuckles and smiles.  Always think of Marmaduke as a real dog who ended up in the cartoon pages."

Bradley Jay "Brad" Anderson
May 14, 1924 - August 30, 2015

Woof Woof .. from Marmaduke and Brunello.

Rest in Eternal Peace, Cousin Brad

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

Aerosmith Tribute Band .. Draw The Line

This tribute band is the only endorsed Aerosmith band worldwide.  Draw The Line boast accolades from Steven Tyler & Joey Kramer as well as family and friends of the legendary rock group.  This is as authentic as it can ever get!

A powerful transformation of character far beyond just an Aerosmith tribute group, Draw The Line gives you goose bumps with memories of the 70s, the feel of the 80s and the exuberance of the 90s.

Draw The Line hails from the city that boasts the Red Sox, the New England Patriots and the Celtics.  With over 2,000 performances in over 100 cities Draw The Line, together as an Aerosmith tribute band for more than twenty years has performed in all, but two U.S. States including shows in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories.  They have also toured other countries such as England, Canada, South America and Japan. The band plays anywhere from 75-100 gigs a year.  Most of their gigs are festivals, casinos, cruise ships, corporate and private events.

In January 1998 during an interview, legendary Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler singled out Draw The Line as the best of the Aerosmith tribute bands.  On Boston's biggest rock station 104.1 WBCN, disc jockey Nick Carter was quoted as saying, "I've seen Draw The Line!  They ARE Aerosmith!"

Neill Brynes as Steven Tyler

Draw The Line band lineup consists of the following members:

Neill Brynes, lead vocals, harmonica, percussion (Steven Tyler)

Gino Caira, lead guitar (Joe Perry)

Jim Dennis, lead guitar (Brad Whitford)

Phil Cefalo, drums (Joey Kramer)

Justin Hunt, bass guitar (Tom Hamilton)

Back in 1991, at the request of an agency that just picked us up, we changed the name from Mass Production.  After long discussions we decided on Draw The Line.  We felt that the caricature on the front of that Draw The Line album cover was one of the bands most iconic images and we could represent ourselves in a very similar fashion. This would be unmistakenly recognizable to Aerosmith.

In an interview with TCS (The Creative Spotlight) Neill was asked this question: Early on, Neill, did you think that you looked, sounded or moved like the legendary Steven Tyler or was it something that you discovered over time?

"My friends used to tease me on how much I looked like Steven Tyler, but I just shook it off not really paying attention to it.  It wasn't until the same friends convinced me to enter a local Boston area radio station sponsored Steven Tyler lookalike contest that I paid attention to it.  After winning the contest, the notoriety from it made it impossible to dismiss.  It wouldn't be until a year later that I set on the journey of transforming into him.  I studied for ten years with Tyler's own vocal coach, Mark Baxter, during my college tenure at Northeastern University, worked out constantly, viewed hours of video tape, took aerobic classes, gymnastic classes, piano lessons and I worked my butt off in order to be able to do this at the level at which I thought I needed to be."

Neill continues to hone his craft by keeping up with Tyler's wardrobe and stage antics.  Just two months into Draw The Line, Neill met Tyler at that lookalike contest.  Tyler was so impressed by Neill's raw talent he referred him to the vocal coach, Mark Baxter!

Neill was asked at what age did he become interested in music?  And who or what inspired him to pursue a career as a musician?

"My first influences in music were from my parents.  They were from the big band era.  They were into artists like Tommy Dorsey, Lawrence Welk and Frank Sinatra.  It was the Lawrence Welk Show that turned me on to my first instrument, the trombone.  I was exposed to Rock n' Roll through friends and cousins.  The Beatles, Kiss, Rolling Stones, The Who .. great 60s and 70s bands.  I was probably eight or nine when I started on the trombone.  After being introduced to great theatrical rock bands and the response from the audience these people were getting, I knew that was what I wanted to do."

Steven Tyler's "twin", Neill Brynes not only naturally looks like the infamous rock icon, but his voice naturally sounds like Tyler!  He has the tone, the mannerisms and the attitude of America's favorite rocker.  Brynes was born and raised in the Boston area and has been a musician since the age of nine!  Starting with the trombone, then drums, then bass and eventually graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music.

This tribute band would have appeared on the floating stage today,  August 8, 2020.


Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Levi Swanson on the Floating Stage in 2010
Performing Fly Me to the Moon with John Cross on Saxophone

"Working for the Bemus Bay Pops as Executive Assistant for many years was a dream come true.  In the summer of 2007 I had just left the SUNY Fredonia School of Music and had little direction.  Like many lost musicians I found my way into the hospitality business via the Italian Fisherman.  The owner, Dan Dalpra became a very close friend and mentor to me which shaped the direction of my life.  Dan's vision which became the Bemus Bay Pops was a welcomed avenue for me to continue my love of music and entertainment.  During my years with the Pops I was able to attend every concert for eight years and even got to scratch my creative "itch" by performing numerous times on the floating stage!  I was, by trade, a trombone player and was the lead trombonist for 10,000 Maniacs for five years.  I didn't start singing until later in my career." 

"Leaving the Pops organization after the 2014 season was bittersweet, but thankfully I was able to continue my support of the Pops by being a food truck vendor for the 2019 season in Mayville NY.  I loved it as it was great to see so many friends I had made over the years in Bemus Point.  My wife's family is the Cross family that owns 3C's Catering so I was lucky to meet a woman who eventually became my wife.  Carrie shares a passion for food and entertainment.  She grew up in a family of caterers and so it was a natural fit that I help in the family business once we met each other.  The 3C's food truck is a great experience to support many different events though especially the Chautauqua Lake Pops.  I think the farm to table food truck exceeds the expectations of the Pops crowd."

Levi with Rockin' Robin Grandin and Captain Dan

"Chautauqua Lake needs the Pops.  They are inseparable and we are the lesser for missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19.  I wish for a speedy return for the Pops to the lake and for many seasons to come."

Levi Swanson

In 2012, Levi was one of six selected out of 2,000 entrants to perform in Orlando, Florida at the National Realtors Association Got Talent competition hosted by the Orlando Expo Center. A female singer from Miami who has performed the National Anthem for the Florida Marlins placed second.  Levi sang Come Fly With Me and placed third. 

The event was the opener for Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh of the American rock band, the Eagles formed in Los Angeles in 1971. As a member of the Eagles, Frey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and won six Grammy Awards including record of the year for Hotel California which hit No. 1 on the Billboard hot 100 singles chart in 1977.  It's one of a handful of chart-toppers that the classic rock group scored before it disbanded in 1980. Frey credited the band's split to the enormous pressure they felt after the 1976 masterpiece Hotel California which Frey called "the greatest Eagles album by virtue of sales and content". Some of Frey's best-known songs were written for movies and TV:  The Heat is On featured in the 1984 Eddie Murphy comedy Beverly Hills Cop and You Belong to the City released in 1985 from the popular '80s crime show Miami Vice whose popular soundtrack hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart thanks in part to Frey's saxophone-driven smash.

Sadly, Glenn Lewis Frey Eagles founder passed in 2016 at the age of 67 of complications due to being diagnosed with rheumatold arthritis around 2000.

The First Place winner of the Got Talent competition was Lionel Cornelius from Charlotte NC.  He comes from a long line of musical talent being related to the singing group formed from 1970-1976, Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose.  They recorded the song Too Late to Turn Back Now, Treat Her Like a Lady, I'm Never Going to Be Alone Anymore and other great hits under the United Artists Records and Capitol Records labels.  

Lionel appeared on the floating stage in Bemus Point that summer along with his talented son, Noah who performed a crowd-pleasing medley of Michael Jackson hits.


Congratulations Levi! Chautauqua County and the Pops are proud of you!


Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse