It’s a gorgeous Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 afternoon at Holmdel, NJ’s PNC Bank Arts Center. As we make our way over to the spacious amphitheater, we see folks coming out in droves for an afternoon concert by Vinnie Medugno and NJ’s own Jersey Sound band.
Vinnie Medugno is an entertainer with Staten Island roots. Performing since he was a child, he got his professional start as a DJ at private functions while building the performance skills to open as a singer for some of biggest names in music right here on the PNC Bank Arts Center stage.
His debut single was a hit on the Billboard Underground Dance Music Chart in 2009, and he’s recorded several albums — notably Mr. Christmas, a holiday album, and Happy Heart, a selection of music and memories from yesteryear.
These days, in addition to working as a professional entertainer, Medugno also works as a teacher in Staten Island, NY.
Medugno’s show today at the PNC Bank Arts Center is the second in a series of three free Fall 2018 afternoon performances for New Jersey residents aged 55 and over. Other shows in the series included Lucie Arnaz on September 12 and a tribute to Roy Orbison, Frankie Valli, and The Beach Boys on September 27.
Yet another show — Cousin Brucie’s Rock and Roll Yearbook Vol. 2 starring The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, and The Orlons — is a free evening concert for New Jersey residents of all ages which takes place on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018.
All shows are presented by the Garden State Arts Foundation under the direction of VP Ron Gravino, who is ably assisted by Cookie Santiago.
After we enter the PNC Bank Arts Center backstage door, the first person we happen to come across is today’s headliner, Vinnie Medugno!
Inviting us to chat, Medugno says, “This is exciting for me — co-headlining with The Jersey Sound band today!”
Continuing, “I’m really excited to be here — this place has become for me, my ‘comfort zone,’ in terms of places where I perform. People ask me ‘Do you get nervous?’ and I say ‘No!’ Singing in front of thousands of people and doing songs that people really like is enjoyable to me.”
When asked about his early days as a budding musician, Medugno recalls, “When I was a kid, my parents loved the classics and they played them in our home. My mom came from a family of 10 kids and my dad from a family of 14 — so, for us, music was the ‘storybook’ of our lives. As a youngster, I was always singing.”
When asked about pursuing a career in education in addition to entertainment, Medugno says, “I became a broadcasting/media teacher at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, NY. In fact, some of my students and former students have even come out to work with me at various performances.”
Here, Medugno introduces us to CJ from Staten Island — a former student of his — who is here today to support his former teacher by taking photos of this afternoon’s show.
States CJ, “I loved Mr. Medugno as a teacher. Even though he was very laid back, we were still learning every single day,” explaining, “We were responsible for producing a weekly television program about our school.”
Comments Medugno, “I’m a lucky guy — and I’m very thankful,” before adding, “I have a love for making people happy. It’s nice to be able to escape what’s going on in the world and just enjoy music with one another as we enjoy each other’s company!”
While backstage, we also get a chance to chat with several members of the six-piece band, Jersey Sound.
Says founder Phil Bruno of Nutley, “We started the band back in 2005, but the current line-up you’ll hear today has been together for six years.
We play all over the state,” states Bruno, adding, “In fact, we just performed at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.”
And we’ll also be playing at Hemingway’s Cafe in Seaside Heights coming up soon,” says lead singer, Bob Freeman.
The band has three lead vocalists — Bob Freeman, Michael Delvey, and Jim Cotugno — in addition to a bassist, drummer, keyboardist, and founder Bruno on guitar.
“We’re excited to be a group that plays songs which were made famous by artists who performed on this very stage including Sinatra, Johnny Mathis….and Eddie Rabbit” — conclude Bruno and Freeman.
Following our chat, we take our seats inside the PNC Bank Arts Center amphitheater where Garden State Arts Foundation VP Ron Gravino welcomes the crowd. After the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Gravino introduces the Jersey Sound band.
The group takes the stage and starts the show off with a laugh joking, “How do you like us so far?” before stating, “We’re Jersey Sound and we’re gonna take you back in time.”
Opening with an energetic rendition of “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart,” featuring tight vocal harmonies, the group follows up with keyboardist Dom DiGiola singing lead on The Turtles’ “Happy Together.”
The audience joins in on Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” the crowd happily singing and swaying on the “I love you baby/And if it’s quite all right” chorus.
Members of the armed forces stand to be recognized on a stirring medley of “America the Beautiful” and Neil Diamond’s “America” featuring strong vocals from the Jersey Sound singers.
Highlights of the group’s set include the band’s rendition of The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” which features an inspired vocal with falsetto by Bob Freeman, in addition to fabulous vocal harmonies on The Duprees’ “Have You Heard.”
The audience happily helps out once again on Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” with an energetic call and response on “So good, so good, so good,” as fans happily dance in the aisles.
Jersey Sound winds up its set with a lovely rendition of The Vogues’ “Turn Around Look at Me” — a performance which earns them a standing ovation from this Jersey crowd!
During intermission, we take a moment to chat with several audience members who comment on the group’s performance today.
Remarks Elaine from Brick, “Jersey Sound was very good! I especially liked their performance of ‘Unchained Melody,’” before adding, “but I am a little disappointed because I wanted them do an encore!”
Elaine’s friend, Patty from Nutley, calls the group “very enjoyable.”
Yet another audience member — Pat from Sayreville — calls the band’s performance “diversified, with a nice variety — before revealing, “I was singing along the entire time!”
After a second group of musicians take their places on the stage, an announcement is made, “Please welcome Vinnie Medugno and The Coda Band!”
Opening with an energetic rendition of Andy Williams’ “Happy Heart,” Medugno dazzles the audience with his big vocal sound as audience members joyfully sing along.
Moving on to a tuneful version of Lou Christie’s “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” the audience happily bops along to the rhythm.
Following avid applause, Medugno welcomes the crowd saying, “This next one always gets a big ‘pop’ in Jersey!” before launching into Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s “Palisades Park.”
After changing the lyrics from “We danced around to a rockin’ band” to “We danced along to The Coda Band,” in the middle of the tune, Medugno asks the crowd “How many have actually been to Palisades Park?” to which a large number respond in the affirmative. Then, he and The Coda Band segue into a delightful rendition of Johnny Tillotson’s “Poetry in Motion.”
“New Jersey, are you in the house?” asks Medugno before stating, “Let’s give it up for my friends, the Jersey Sound band” and inquiring, “How about this amazing Coda Band?”
The audience cheerfully applauds and Medugno says, “How many people here know who I am?” to which many in the audience raise their hands.
“I promise you that by the end of today, you’re gonna know who I am!” he vows.
Going on to state, “I sang this next song about a lion when I was five years old — in my Kindergarten class,” Medugno then introduces his Kindergarten teacher who is here in today’s audience. At this point, he wows the crowd with his controlled falsetto voice on “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
After introducing his seventh grade teacher, Medugno recreates a performance from his seventh grade talent show where his mom gave him some song-selection advice by saying, “You gotta do some Sinatra!” Singing a dynamic rendition of “That’s Life,” Medugno entertains the crowd with his big voice, his big smile, and his big personality.
“This next song is meatball-making music!” exclaims Medugno before singing Dean Martin’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” — a number which segues into an entertaining version of Louis Prima’s “Just a Gigolo.”
Following excited applause, Medugno tells the audience, “Thank you for coming out today,” referring to the size of the crowd as “one of my biggest worries!”
After thanking Garden State Arts Foundation leaders Ron Gravino and Cookie Santiago for inviting him to perform today — acknowledging “they put on some fantastic shows here!” — Medugno performs a song from one of the artists with whom he’s had a chance to share this very stage.
Impressing the crowd with his rendition of Bobby Rydell’s “Volare,” Medugno tells the audience “You sing!” as his voice dances around the melody.
Introducing his aunt who is also in the audience today, Medugno reveals that, for her birthday, he will sing a song for her which he says, “comforts me” — Roy Orbison’s ballad, “Dream.”
Following up with another ballad, Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways,” Medugno talks to the crowd about his office at school, revealing it’s decorated with an “Elvis theme.”
“The students come in,” he recalls, “and they say, ‘Who is that?’” to which Medugno replies, “There is only one voice which was Elvis!’” before using his big voice to sing Presley’s “Hurt.”
After introducing the members of The Coda Band, led by Pete Mastopaolo on drums and featuring MaryBeth Ryan on sax, Medugno introduces his backup singers, The Chiclettes — Susan Martin, Sarah Tracey, and Susanne LoFaso.
As he leaves the stage, the audience sings and claps along to the Chiclettes’ sparkling renditions of three songs — The Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron,” Leslie Gore’s “It’s My Party,” and a special “tribute to Miss Aretha Franklin,” a rockin’ rendition of “Respect.”
Following hearty applause, Medugno returns to the stage to perform a trio of numbers which were originally recorded by artists with whom he also shared the stage at various Garden State Arts Foundation concerts.
The first is Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits’ “Silhouettes,” a number which, he reveals, is “the title track of my new CD.” Next up is Gary Puckett and The Union Gap’s “Lady Willpower.” Lastly, he invites one of the members of the Chiclettes to join him as he sings Tommy James and The Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now.”
After talking a bit more about his job as a teacher at Staten Island’s Port Richmond High School, he performs a song from one of that institution’s most famous former students — The Archies’ Ron Dante. The audience sings along with gusto on The Archies’ #1 hit, “Sugar Sugar.”
A highlight of Medugno’s set is his rendition of Dion’s “Runaround Sue,” where he races through the audience taking selfies and high-fiving happy members of the audience!
Catching his breath, Medugno says, “Thank you so much for being a part of my journey today,” before concluding his show with another highlight number — Jay and the Americans’ “Cara Mia” — using his big voice along with his falsetto to thrill this Jersey crowd.
As audience members begin to make their way out of the amphitheater, we take a moment to chat with several in the crowd who volunteer to share their opinions of today’s performance.
Exclaims Doris from Wall Township, “Vinnie was great! I saw him once before, but he was even better today — I loved his choice of songs and I loved the live band and singers!”
Declares Helen from Wycoff — who reveals she is here today seeing Medugno for the very first time — “He’s adorable! He reminds me of my son — I could just take him home! And it’s not just his personality that I enjoy — he has a nice variety of songs, too!”
Her friend, Kathy from Manchester, says, “This is my first time seeing him, too. He is so entertaining — and he has beautiful eyes. He’s very energetic and very relatable,” before adding, “and I would definitely see him again!”
Kathy’s husband, Sal, states, “Vinnie has such a good personality, but when I first took a look at him, I didn’t believe he could have such a strong voice,” noting, “And he also performed songs from all different kinds of singers, too, which I liked.”
Helen’s husband, Paul, agrees declaring, “Vinnie was great. He’s very personable, and he did a great job. He provided us with a wonderful afternoon!”
Lastly, we chat with Don from Edison, who informs us that although he gets to see a myriad of concerts every year, in his opinion, “Vinnie Medugno is one great singer and entertainer,” before concluding, “I could listen to him all day long!”
To learn more about Vinnie Medugno, please go to vincentmedugno.com. To find out more about Jersey Sound, click on jerseysound.com. For information on upcoming free Garden State Arts Foundation performances for NJ residents of all ages — including Cousin Brucie’s Rock and Roll Yearbook Vol. 2starring The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon, and The Orlons on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 — please click on gsafoundation.org.
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