July 18, 2010

I have just returned home from the best concert I’ve been on in years! The Mohegan Sun Casino concert January 19th 03. It was the Bowzer’s Doo Wop Party #3. Jon Bauman better known as Bowzer certainly knows how to put on a show!

I stepped off the plane on the 18th, early evening and I was looking around for someone holding a sign saying either Bowzer’s show or Mohegan Sun and lo and behold, one of Maurice William’s Zodiac’s found me trying to use a pay phone. I heard him say is that Rosie? I turned and said I’m so glad to see a familiar face! I was helped to the limo waiting outside with Maurice and another Zodiac already seated comfortably in nice warm (thank God) surroundings and that was the beginning of my Connecticut experience.

We arrived and were helped in and there to meet us was Jim Marlow who handles travel and is backstage manager for Gary Cape of Cape Entertainment. Everything went smooth and quite efficiently getting checked in and to our rooms in a timely fashion.

At the lobby level I was so amazed at the beauty of the décor unfolding before me. The lobby floor overlooks the casino below and taking the escalator down you are looking directly at an indoor fifty-five foot waterfall surrounded by seating. It is quite beautiful. A very kind employee, Mike Holmes of security, showed me the planetarium area — a three-story crystal mountain called Wombi Rock — where intimate seating gives you a beautiful view of the ever-changing night sky with an actual moon moving across it.

Next day was concert day and what a day! Rehearsal started early as the show was scheduled for three PM. The arena is huge — it holds 10,000 people. We had between 7 and 8,000 people.

The Performers

• Vito Piconne and the Elegants doing Little Star — their harmonies were perfect as usual!
• David Sommerville (The Diamonds) shined as always doing Little Darlin’ and The Stroll.
• The Duke of Earl, Gene Chandler, most dapper in his topcoat and top hat, got the audience to their feet.
• Jay Black and the Americans always wows the audience hitting the high notes on Cara Mia.
• Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs doing their wonderful hit Stay.
• Cleve Duncan and The Penguins — when they did Earth Angel, I was instantly back at the El Monte Legion Stadium and 15 years old again!
• The Tymes — they opened with an up tempo number that really had the crowd going, and when they did Wonderful Wonderful and So Much In Love, it was truly great!

Kathy Young and I shared a dressing room and it gave me a chance to get to know the beautiful person she really is. Not only does she still have a beautiful voice but the person off stage is equally as great. She was greatly applauded when she sang A 1000 Stars and Happy Birthday Blues. The audience went wild.

When Bowzer brought me on I was so well received and I really think the folks back east sure know how to make you feel special and happy to be there! We all signed autographs for several hours afterwards.

I had a great time as you probably guessed by now, and I want to thank everyone involved with the show, plus all the staff at the Mohegan Sun. I can’t wait to go back!

Love, Rosie