{"id":42342,"date":"2024-01-25T08:46:40","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T13:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42342"},"modified":"2024-01-25T08:46:41","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T13:46:41","slug":"on-stage-marshall-tucker-band-still-going-strong-after-more-than-50-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42342","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Marshall Tucker Band still going strong after more than 50 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Marshall Tucker Band<\/p><\/div>\n

When a band has been recording and playing live shows for more than a half-century, it tends to slow down some \u2013 especially when it comes to doing concert tours.<\/p>\n

Such is not the case with the Marshall Tucker Band.<\/p>\n

The Southern Rock band, which dates back to the early 1970s, is still going strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, we did 140 shows and were 250 days gone from home,\u201d said Doug Gray, during a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.<\/p>\n

The hard-rocking group is now on the road with its \u201cMarshall Tucker Band Live on Cloud 9 Tour 2024.\u201d The tour will touch down locally with a stop on January 28 at the Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Many legendary \u201cSouthern Rock\u201d bands have defined the genre \u2013\u00a0the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Black Oak Arkansas.<\/p>\n

One of the oldest and most durable is the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band. More than 50 years have passed, and, like the Energizer Bunny, the band just keeps going and going.<\/p>\n

The Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0is an American Southern rock\/country rock<\/a>\u00a0band\u00a0originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The band\u2019s blend of rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, country, and gospel helped establish the Southern rock genre in the early 1970s.<\/p>\n

The original lineup of the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band, formed in 1972, included lead guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Toy Caldwell; lead vocalist Doug Gray; keyboard player, saxophone player, and flautist<\/a>\u00a0Jerry Eubanks; rhythm guitarist George McCorkle; drummer Paul Riddle; and bassist Tommy Caldwell. They signed with Capricorn Records and in 1973 released their first LP<\/a>, \u201cThe Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack then, there was no way in the world any of us thought the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0would be around more than 50 years later,\u201d said Gray. \u201cToy wrote some great songs. Now, younger bands are talking about being influenced by the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band.<\/p>\n

\u201cToy and I went to Vietnam. Our intention was to come back from Vietnam and play music. We started making music together again in 1967. Back then, there weren\u2019t many places to play.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe worked during the day and rehearsed at night. He worked with his dad as a master plumber. I worked for a bank. Then, I got my own bank on the same day as an offer from Capricorn.<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of ours took our tape to Phil Walden (co-founder of Capricorn Records) and he signed us a few days later. Our first single was \u2018Can\u2019t You See.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first eight or nine years, MTB created a lot of memories. We were going out on the road with the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back then, the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0was also creating hits such as \u201cCan\u2019t You See,\u201d \u201cHeard It in A Love Song,\u201d \u201cFire On The Mountain,\u201d and \u201c24 Hours At A Time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five-time-gold and three-time-platinum band\u00a0has sold millions of albums worldwide and has had songs featured in major motion picture films and television shows such as \u201cBreaking Bad,\u201d \u201cHalf Nelson,\u201d \u201cMy Name Is Earl,\u201d and \u201cCold Case Files.\u201d<\/p>\n

CMT\u00a0(Country Music Television) named the MTB\u2019s \u201cCan\u2019t You See\u201d as the Number 4 Greatest Southern Rock Song.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep the band going and it\u2019s just not about me,\u201d said Gray. \u201cIt\u2019s about the music. People love the music, and I can\u2019t let them down. Our fans have kids and grandkids, and they love to come to our shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we first started the band, Toy and I had plans for when we got back from Vietnam. Toy wrote some songs that just wouldn\u2019t go away on people \u2013 songs like \u2018Can\u2019t You See,\u2019 and \u2018Heard It in A Love Song.\u2019 Now, it\u2019s a band that is 51 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0has released more than 25 albums since its eponymous debut LP in 1973. The most recent was \u201cThe Next Adventure\u201d in 2007 and there is no new album on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith regard to a new studio album, there is no reason in putting out something that doesn\u2019t stand the test of time,\u201d said Gray, who is 75 and the last original member in the band.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Toy left the band\u00a0in 1983, he came up and shook my hand and said \u2013 run with it. I\u2019m the last man.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve recorded most of our shows. We have over 3,000 shows on tape. That\u2019s why every so often we put out a live album from years ago. Some are so good \u2013 they\u2019re unbelievable. We never play the same show every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re now in an era of recognizing musicians for their \u201cstreams\u201d rather than their \u201crecords sold.\u201d The Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0is keeping pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a month ago, Pandora presented us with an award at the Grand Ole Opry \u2013 an award for one billion streams. With Spotify, we\u2019ve gotten 66 million listens in January 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to stop playing until I stop playing,\u201d said Gray. \u201cI put my heart into it every night. The band\u00a0members are 20 years younger, but they respect the music.\u201d<\/p>\n

The current line-up is: B.B. Borden \u2013 drums; Tony Black \u2013 bass \/ vocals; Marcus James Henderson \u2013 keyboards \/ saxophone \/ flute \/ vocals; Chris Hicks \u2013 guitar \/ vocals; Rick Willis \u2013 guitar \/ vocals; and Doug Gray \u2013 lead vocals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t sit by the wayside.\u201d said Gray. \u201cI want to get out there and play. How many people would I be letting down if I didn\u2019t try to get out there and re-create all the memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Marshall\u00a0Tucker\u00a0Band\u00a0\u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/3M6Zgs1fv9I<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Keswick Theater will start at 7:30 p.m. on January 28.<\/p>\n

Tickets range from $35-$90.<\/p>\n

This region is always a great area for live blues music with many blues festivals and blues artists featured at venues all over the Delaware Valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Greg Sover<\/p><\/div>\n

This weekend, blues fans are in for a double treat because two of America\u2019s premier blues musicians are performing locally \u2013 Greg Sover in Sellersville and Popa Chubby in Delaware County.<\/p>\n

On January 28, Sover will be headlining a show at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Sover, a singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire, released his newest album, \u201cHIS-Story,\u201d on July 21 on Grounded Soul Records.\u00a0 The 10-song album features a combination of original tunes \u2014 eight bluesy rockers \u2013 and a pair of songs by Hendrix.<\/p>\n

On the two Hendrix compositions, Sover was joined by Band of Gypsies\u00a0bassist\u00a0Billy Cox \u2014 on\u00a0Hendrix\u2019s\u00a0\u201cManic Depression\u201d\u00a0and rarely heard album cut,\u00a0\u201cRemember,\u201d which was originally on the U.K. version of Hendrix\u2019s debut album, \u201cAre You Experienced.\u201d
\n\u201cIt was great working with Billy Cox,\u201d said Sover, during a phone interview from his home in Abington. \u201cIt was an honor to play with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had wanted to do a version of \u2018Manic Depression.\u2019 My manager came up with a crazy idea \u2014 \u2018I wonder if Billy would like to work on it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked with Billy, and I told him that I wanted to record \u2018Manic Depression\u2019 and would he like to play on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly agreed to play on the song. Then, he asked if I would record a little-known Hendrix song, \u201cRemember\u201d and include it on the album.\u201d<\/p>\n

The album was recorded with internationally acclaimed bass player\u00a0Kenny\u00a0Aaronson\u00a0(Bob Dylan, Rick Derringer, the Yardbirds, Joan Jett) and drummer extraordinaire, The Hooters\u2019 David Uosikkinen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album at Cambridge Studio in South Philly,\u201d said Sover, whose family is originally from Haiti. \u201cI co-produced the album with\u00a0Jim Salamone. It\u2019s a nice studio \u2013 a lot of digital and some analog. I tried to stick with an authentic approach without relying on technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cLyrically, it was the most personal album I\u2019ve done. There were a lot of things I had \u2014 issues with what Greg Sover was going through.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, I have a son now \u2013 Damian, who just turned one on Saturday. Having a son was an inspiration. I felt young. I felt motivated \u2013 more inspired.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album just came out in July. We\u2019ve been getting a good reception. And the album is getting more radio play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sover has another Hendrix connection. Last summer, he performed a show \u2013 \u201cAn Evening of Jimi Hendrix with Greg Sover\u201d \u2014 at the Newton Theatre in Bucks County.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a solo show \u2013 just me, no band,\u201d said Sover. \u201cI played two 50-minute sets of strictly Jimi Hendrix songs. I don\u2019t think Jimi ever did two 50-minute sets in one night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a lot of fun, and the audience loved it. It was a full house. Now, they want me to come back again. I\u2019m thinking about putting together a Hendrix show to have in addition to my own shows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sover\u00a0is a blues\/rock musician from Philly who is well known to Chester County audiences from shows at area venues \u2013 especially the Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville where he recorded a live show.<\/p>\n

Sover\u2019s most recent release before \u201cHIS-Story\u201d was \u201cThe Parade\u201d in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Parade\u201d featured five originals and the band\u2019s interpretation of the Cream classic, \u201cPolitician.\u201d\u00a0 I<\/p>\n

With heavier guitars, blazing solos and impactful lyrics,\u00a0\u201cThe Parade\u201d\u00a0explores themes of personal evolution, staying true to oneself and perseverance.<\/p>\n

Sover, who grew up in Philly and attended William Penn High, became fascinated with the guitar at age 13. His father taught him the French song \u201cLa Maladie d\u2019Amour\u201d and Sover\u00a0took it from there. He taught himself how to play guitar, how to write songs and, eventually, how to sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and my family moved to Philadelphia when I was 10,\u201d said Sover, whose parent were from Haiti. \u201cI was exposed to music when I was really young.\u00a0 I had musicians on both sides of my family. My whole life I\u2019ve had access to the guitar.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith guitar, I started really knowing what I was doing when I was around 15. At the same time, I was playing electric bass at my church.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sover\u00a0says his music doesn\u2019t fit into one particular genre. It includes elements of \u201cblues and rock with a dash of everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Philly musician first attracted serious attention when he won the 2015 Hard Rock Rising competition at Philadelphia\u2019s Hard Rock Cafe.<\/p>\n

Over the last few years, the Greg Sover\u00a0Band has opened for many renowned blues-rock artists including the Yardbirds, Jeffrey Gaines, Jimmy Vivino, Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, Johnny A, Ana Popovic, Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, Popa Chubby, Marcus King Band and Davy Knowles.<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s time for Sover to step into the spotlight and move forward as a headliner in his own right.<\/p>\n

Video link for Greg Sover \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/4mWIXx9UbrU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on January 28 at the Sellersville Theater, which also features Bobby Rush, will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $33 and $45.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Popa Chubby<\/p><\/div>\n

On January 26, Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will host the legendary Popa Chubby.<\/p>\n

Popa\u00a0Chubby\u00a0made his Gulf Coast Records label debut with a new album, \u201cLive at G. Bluey\u2019s Juke Joint NYC,\u201d which came out in\u00a0September.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just put out a double live album,\u201d said Popa Chubby, during a recent phone interview. \u201cIt came out in September. We\u2019ve been touring the double album ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been in the Billboard Top 10 for the last six weeks. It really is a good record \u2013 one of the best I\u2019ve done. There\u2019s two hours and 20 minutes of music and all were songs requested by fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popa Chubby\u2019s most recent previous albums were \u201cPrime Cuts: The Very Best of the Beast from the East,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s a Mighty Hard Road,\u201d \u201cTinfoil Hat,\u201d and \u201cEmotional Gangster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI toured \u2018Emotional Gangster\u2019 for a year and got great responses,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cIt was suggested to me to do a \u2018Best of\u2019 so I decided to play a live \u2018best of\u2019 to a studio audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something different \u2013 something not done before. I don\u2019t think that anyone did a \u2018Best of\u2019 fan requested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had two nights of playing for a studio audience. It wasn\u2019t recorded at a theater or a club. It was two nights live at G. Bluey\u2019s Juke Joint.\u201d<\/p>\n

GB\u2019s Juke Joint is a full-service recording studio and event space in Long Island City, Queens located by the East River just across midtown Manhattan. It features analog and digital capabilities, a vast collection of instruments, microphones, and vintage and modern gear.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an invitation only event \u2013 friends and family,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cI played songs from all my albums. Luckily, I have a really good band and it all came together pretty easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popa Chubby\u2019s stellar \u201cBeast Band\u201d features Mike Merritt on bass (Conan O\u2019Brien, Billy Gibbons); Mike Dimeo on keyboards (Johnny Winter, Tommy James); and Stefano Giudici on drums.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was remarkable,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cWe had two nights of shows to pick from when putting the album together. Everything was perfect. The band was an important part.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shows were in November in Long Island City at an amazing sound stage. We also shot a five-camera video for our YouTube website. I\u2019m just giving the videos away.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2019, the veteran rocker just released another \u2018Best of\u2019 album \u2014 \u201cPrime Cuts \u2013 The Very Best of the Beast from the East.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Popa Chubby delivered a hand-picked anthology of 15 tracks from his prolific and ever-expanding catalogue. \u201cPrime Cuts\u201d reflects Popa\u2019s choice of the best of his best \u2014 tracks that keep the Chubby legacy fresh and the fans happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went all the way back and picked the best stuff from my last 38 records,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cThere were two criteria. First, I had to really like the song. Second, it had to be music the fans request.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of it was easy. A a lot came down to the fans \u2013 \u2018Sweet Goddess of Love and Beer,\u2019 \u2018Angel on My Shoulder,\u2019 \u2018Light of Day\u2019 \u2013 give the people what they want.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were all original album tracks, but some were alternate mixes. I did a lot of re-mastering. There were also two new tracks \u2013 and a Christmas song. It took a couple months to put it all together. It just came out at the end of November.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popa Chubby\u2019s two prior studio albums were \u201cThe Catfish\u201d in 2016 and \u201cTwo Dogs\u201d in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never stop recording,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cI recorded \u2018Two Dogs\u2019 right after I finished making \u2018The Catfish.\u2019 I\u2019m working on my next album now. I\u2019m starting to come up with new ideas. I want to do something original.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a studio in my home. For D.I.Y. stuff, I use ProTools. My studio is filled with vintage stuff \u2013 RCA mics, old compressors and vintage guitars and drums.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a background in recording. I worked as an engineer, and I started out working with tape. It\u2019s all digital now \u2014 but I have an analog way of getting in and an analog way of getting out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was working with Tom Dowd, a legendary engineer, he was so happy to go to digital instead of tape. He explained that each time the tape goes over the (recording) head, it loses particles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding time to get in the studio is a luxury for Popa Chubby.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m never home,\u201d said Popa Chubby. \u201cIt seems that I\u2019m always touring a lot. The progression of my career has been slow and steady. I like to give people real music. The best music for me comes from not making music. It comes from me jamming with myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn this tour, we\u2019re playing the new double record in its entirety \u2013 and there are some surprises. From start-to-finish, it\u2019s over two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Popa Chubby \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/axnycInQKGo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on January 26 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $40.<\/p>\n

On January 27, the stage at Jamey\u2019s will belong to Hurricane In Blues.<\/p>\n

The show on January 27 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s features a popular \u201cJazz at Jamey\u2019s\u201d on Thursday featuring many of the best singers in the region performing a set from 7-8 p.m. with the backing of the Dave Reiter Trio and occasional guest musicians.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings.<\/p>\n

Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) kicked off its 2024 season last weekend with \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d, the musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder\u2019s play,\u00a0\u201cThe Matchmaker.\u201d\u00a0This comic and romantic story of the exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, a matchmaker and \u201cwoman who arranges things,\u201d will run now through February 25.<\/p>\n

It seems that everybody is familiar with \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d in one form or another \u2013 especially the Academy Award-winning film and the hit Broadway musical.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be familiar with the song, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d\u2013 at least with the tune\u2019s opening lines\u2026\u00a0\u201cI said hello, Dolly; Well, hello, Dolly; It\u2019s so nice to have you back where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cast at Candlelight features Rebecca Schall as Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, Johnny Fernandez as Horace Vandergelder, Jared Calhoun\u00a0as Cornelius Hackl,\u00a0Neena Boyle as Irene Molloy\u00a0and Shawn Weaver as Barnaby Tucker.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d tells the story of widow Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, a strongminded matchmaker who arrives in New York to \u201chelp\u201d Horace Vandergelder, a curmudgeonly and very wealthy widowed shop owner, find a new wife — while secretly plotting to marry him herself.
\nMeanwhile, two of Vandergelder\u2019s comedically enriched employees leave the shop abandoned and head out to the city in an effort to find adventure. Often referred to as \u201cBroadway\u2019s Greatest Musical\u201d, \u201cHello, Dolly!\u201d features sweeping dance numbers, hilarious missteps, endearing chaos and, of course, love.<\/p>\n

Schall gives a spellbinding performance in the title role \u2013 exhibiting the vocal chops and acting skills to capture the spirit of Dolly. Weaver, a Lincoln University graduate, and Calhoun sparkle in their roles as Vandergelder\u2019s store employees from Yonkers who experience the Big Apple for the first time.
\n\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d became one of the most iconic Broadway shows of the latter half of the 1960s, running for 2,844 performances, and was the longest-running musical in Broadway history for a time.<\/p>\n

Over the years, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d has featured many of Broadway\u2019s top leading ladies, including Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand, Pearl Bailey, Tovah Feldshuh, Bette Midler and Betty Buckley.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything, we\u2019re still focused on the stage version rather than the film version,\u201d said Schall, whose television credits include \u201cBoardwalk Empire,\u201d \u201cMarvelous Mrs. Maisel,\u201d \u201cIn Case of Emergency,\u201d \u201cJulie and Julia,\u201d and \u201cPetuna.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere definitely is a difference between stage and film.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audiences love the character Dolly, and Schall offers her take on why.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolly is happy, exuberant and effusive,\u201d said Schall. \u201cShe knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She\u2019s a bundle of energy \u2013 and a good person.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bring a sense of quirkiness to the role. I agree one thousand per cent with her passion for helping others \u2013 for helping other people get better.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne reason audiences love the show is the music. They know all the songs. The music is unbelievable \u2013 and the script is very well-written. This show is fun. It\u2019s just a beautiful show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d is running now through February 25 at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include dinner, beverage and free parking, are $70.50 for adults and $35 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which just opened at People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org<\/a>), is a one-man show that look at this man\u2019s life from playground to paddock, from playhouse to publishing\u2026to People\u2019s Light.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u201d is written and performed by stage, film, and television star Robert Montano (\u201cCats\u201d\u00a0on Broadway,\u00a0\u201cBarcelona\u201d\u00a0at People\u2019s Light).<\/p>\n

Bullied for his size, a boy from Long Island finds purpose and respect atop a racehorse in this wild autobiographical ride,<\/p>\n

As the young jockey starts to literally outgrow his childhood dream, he resorts to more and more extreme measures to remain \u201csmall\u201d before ultimately finding freedom in a new path. From Belmont Park to Broadway stages, Montano\u2019s vivid and highly entertaining coming-of-age story explores the complex realities of pursuing a dream at all costs.<\/p>\n

Montano\u00a0tells his coming-of-age story about Bobby, a teen from Long Island who enjoys musical theatre but becomes fascinated by the world of horse racing and aspires to be a jockey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a one-man play \u2013 and a very physical play,\u201d said Montano, during a phone interview from the theater in Malvern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a jockey, there is movement with me riding — along with an amazing sound design that Brian Ronan and I brought together.<\/p>\n

Ronan, the show\u2019s sound engineer, supplies the nearby racehorse whinnying. I\u2019m portraying 24 different characters \u2013 all with different voices.\u201d<\/p>\n

The story starts with a young Montano.<\/p>\n

When only entering his teenage years, Montano, known to his family as Bobby, fell in love with \u201cWest Side Story\u201d\u00a0and, in particular, with the character of Bernardo. He was stopped in his youthful ambition by his size. Just over five feet, he had retreated into timidity as a response to being regularly picked on at school.<\/p>\n

Behind his father\u2019s back, his mother took him to Belmont Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went to church together one Sunday and then went over to Belmont Park,\u201d said Montano, who was born in Bayside, Queens, and raised in Hempstead, LI. \u201cI fell in love with the place and the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Montano started regularly going to Belmont Raceway with his neighbors who work there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a newspaper delivery route with the L.I. Press,\u201d said Montaro. \u201cAt one of the houses, I talked to the people about the mulch they were using. They said it wasn\u2019t mulch \u2013 that I was probably smelling the horse manure from the car\u2019s tires.\u201d<\/p>\n

His newspaper customers were Bob and Sue Duncan, who were major figures at Belmont Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cI begged them to take me with them to the track,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

At Belmont Park, Montano was confronted by jockeys, especially by Robert A. Pineda. Impressed at the powerful Pineda presence, Montano switched from wanting to grow to wanting to remain small so he could pursue a career as a jockey.<\/p>\n

Montano became determined to become a jockey. Eventually, Pineda became his mentor.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, his dreams of remaining a jockey blew up. Montano continued to grow physically \u2013 from 5-foot, 4-inches to 5-8 and 110 pounds.<\/p>\n

The day before riding Sow & Reap in a major race, Montano weighed in at 116 pounds. He had to shed 12 pounds overnight. What he had to do to accomplish is a main part of the plot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did all kinds of things to keep my weight down \u2013 black beauties, coke, flipping food on daily basis,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

By the time he was 18, Montano had outgrown his silks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t make it as a jockey, it was \u2018small\u2019 because I\u2019m not,\u201d said Montano. \u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t ride anymore, I didn\u2019t have anything to do with my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to transfer disciples from jockey to dance. I knew I had to work \u2013 and I had to work hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Montano had dancing skills he developed when he was young, so he decided to delve further into dance. He applied to Adelphi University’s dance department at age 20 without any prior training. He was accepted and offered a full scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne week before graduating, I got a role in \u2018Cats\u2019 on Broadway,\u201d said Montano. \u201cI had the role of Pouncival and was the understudy for Mr. Mistofelees. I did that for four-and-one-half years.\u201d<\/p>\n

His career was successful from the start, and he worked with great directors and choreographers such as Hal Prince, Rob Marshall, and Jerome Robbins. He has also worked with Chita Rivera in \u201cKiss of The Spiderwoman, sang and danced with Peter Allen in \u201cLegs Diamond,\u201d and starred as Ozzie in \u201cOn The Town\u201d (directed by the legendary George C. Wolfe).<\/p>\n

Montano\u2019s creativity now spans genres. The multitasker ventured into plays, film, and television.
\nIn television, he guest starred in Showtime\u2019s \u201cCity On A Hill,\u201d \u201cBull,\u201d \u201cProdigal Son,\u201d \u201cBlue Bloods,\u201d \u201cNCIS: New Orleans,\u201d \u201cElementary,\u201d \u201cSearch Party,\u201d \u201cLaw & Order: SVU,\u201d \u201cSex In The City,\u201d \u201cCSI: Miami, Law & Order,\u201d and HBO\u2019s film \u201cUndefeated\u201d (directed by John Leguizamo<\/a>).<\/p>\n

His film credits include \u201cShame\u201d with Michael Fassbender<\/a>, playing opposite Mark Wahlberg<\/a>\u00a0and Joaquin Phoenix<\/a>\u00a0in \u201cThe Yards\u201d and partnering with Catherine Zeta-Jones<\/a>\u00a0in \u201cChicago.\u201d Other notable works include \u201cHustling,\u201d \u201cThe Strike,\u201d \u201cCenter Stage,\u201d \u201cIt Runs in The Family,\u201d and \u201cPassionada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which is directed by Jessi D. Hill, is celebrating its area debut with the run at People\u2019s Light\u2019s Steinbright Stage \u2013 and the first date of its 2024 national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be my third show at People\u2019s Light,\u201d said Montano. \u201cThe first was \u2018Fallow\u2019 in 2012 followed by \u2018Barcelona\u2019 in 2012. I really enjoy working here at People\u2019s Light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cSMALL\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/DlzN88yAn8o<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u2019 will run now through February 4. Tickets are $47.<\/p>\n

On January 25, \u201cThe Laugh Lounge\u00a0@ Uptown! Stand Up Comedy Night\u201d will be staged at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The headliner will be Missy Hall with Bill Chiang as the feature and Jeremy Hall as emcee.<\/p>\n

Hall is a comedian, actress, motivational speaker, avid napper, and dog lover with a witty relatable style that has captivated audiences around the country. Her freshman comedy CD, \u201cMiss Representation\u201d made the Grammy entry list in 2012 for funniest comedy album and her second album, \u201cFifty Shades of Fifty\u201d, has more than a quarter million streams. Her newest recording, \u201cScoot Up\u201d, can be heard on Sirius XM.<\/p>\n

She has worked as a warm-up comic at CBS Television, was a finalist in the 2018 Ladies of Laughter competition, a finalist at the 2018 Big Sky Comedy Festival, a performer at HBO\u2019s Women in Comedy Festival, a headliner at the 2019 San Diego Comedy Festival, made Best of the Fest in the 2019 Burbank Comedy Festival and has performed for the Women of a Certain Age Comedy tour.<\/p>\n

Chiang, an immigrant with a traditional Asian background, tried standup one night and since then, he has quickly become regular in clubs across the East Coast. His source for comedy comes from the absurdity and silliness of everyday life.\u00a0 His unique views on sex, TV and stories about growing up as an Asian immigrant in NYC makes him a favorite in clubs and benefits.<\/p>\n

Chiang is a comedy competition winner in NYC, has been featured on Comcast On-Demand and has played in historic comedy venues such as the New York Comedy Club, The Comic Strip, Catch a Rising Star and the Comedy Cabaret in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Hall has been performing comedy since 2012.\u00a0 He studied acting in New York City and upon returning home to Washington, D.C., began performing live stand-up comedy on stage. He has performed at numerous comedy clubs, competitions and private events all over the country including The Comedy Store in San Diego and the Friars Club in New York.<\/p>\n

Video link for Missy Hall — https:\/\/youtu.be\/fksjVG9BMD4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center on January 25 will start at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25 — $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is hosting Cubizm with special guest Lisa Jeannette on January 26, Dan May on January 27 and Jazz Jam featuring Dave Mattock in January 28.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times When a band has been recording and playing live shows for more than a half-century, it tends to slow down some \u2013 especially when it comes to doing concert tours. Such is not the case with the Marshall Tucker Band. The Southern Rock band, which dates back to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,7805,14379,7638],"class_list":["post-42342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-greg-sover","tag-marshall-tucker-band","tag-popa-chubby"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42342"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42343,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42342\/revisions\/42343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/42339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}