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As usual, Epcot in sunny Orlando, FL was lots of fun. Nine shows in three days…and because of the wonderful audiences and how well the staff at Disneyworld treated us, we were ready to do nine more shows! Below are some pics from Epcot.

“On stage at Epcot”

“Peter performing with the audience”

“backstage between shows with Peter & Dave”

After Epcot, it was off to Las Vegas to perform the first of many “Teen Idols” shows. Who are the Teen Idols you ask??? They are: Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and The Raiders), Micky Dolenz (The Monkees) and, of course, my boss Peter Noone (he’s also the youngest). Needless to say, the show was a smashing success.

I mentioned in my last blog that I would post some live shots from the Billy Hufsey “Confessions” CD Release show that took place earlier this month. Here they are.

“One of the dance troupes that opened the show”

“Billy on stage….still breakin’ hearts”

“laughing while Billy tells a funny story…about me!!”

“with Kellie & Billy after the show…enjoying the end of a perfect evening”

As I’m writing this I’m flying from Las Vegas to Manchester, New Hampshire to begin the next leg of this road trip, which starts in Rutland, Vermont. I always try to sneak in and out of Vermont without anyone knowing that I’m a conservative Republican. If they find out they will force me to hug a tree, denounce Reagan & make me eat an egg white only omelet with Vance & Dave. So shhhh…please don’t tell anyone.

As I’m about to head down to sunny Florida later this week for 6 shows at Disneyworld, I thought I’d share some of the fun I had the past 2 weeks here in C-Town. I rarely get to spend this much time at home and the timing couldn’t have been better considering all the great music and events happening around town leading up to the Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony that was FINALLY happening in it’s rightful place…Cleveland, OH…the birthplace of rock-n-roll.

The mayhem all started last week with the Moondog Coronation Ball at the Q (Quicken Loans Arena).  This was the first chance I’ve had to perform in my hometown since becoming a member of Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone three years ago. It was a great show and a thrill to be sharing a stage with Little Richard. Below are a couple of pics from that show, courtesy of Janet Macoska.

“Peter & I watching Vance dance on the Jumbotron”

“Peter looking his youthful self”

The show ended sometime around midnight and afterwards I stopped in Parma to see “That Eighties Band”. Wes, Debi and the rest of the band were excellent and the place was packed.

Next to the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, probably the most exciting event took place this past Friday as my dear friend, Billy Hufsey, returned to his hometown to celebrate the release of his new CD “Confessions”. And typical of Billy, it was no ordinary CD release party. For the packed house of media, fans & friends at Earth Nightclub in the flats, Billy had two different female dance troupes perform to start the show, which was followed by a ten minute video highlighting Billy’s career. After that, Billy took the stage for a mini concert that rocked the house. I served as Billy’s musical director on keys, acoustic guitar and vocals. Rounding out the band was my longtime cohort Mike Hudak (Love Affair, Gary Lewis & The Playboys) on drums, Mike Criscione (Sonny Geraci) on piano, Steve Jochum (Wild Horses, “Funky Poodle”) on guitar and vocals, and Bobby Bruno (Bruno Bros. Band) on bass and vocals. And we all had a grand time. I will soon post some pictures from the actual performance and I believe there will be a video of the performance on Billy Hufsey’s website. Below is a pic of Billy and I sharing a funny moment during our soundcheck.

“At soundcheck”

To make the evening even sweeter, I hadn’t realized until after the show that I produced 2 of the tracks on his new CD . Cha-Ching!!! See ya soon.