Tony Bennett The Nicest Legend On the Road Today
July 28. 2009 – I’ve been lucky. I haven’t met a lot of dorks in the music world, not artists anyway. Most of the jack-asses were actually radio people who had inflated views of their own self importance. In music the diva’s, with me anyway, were the small bit players.
I’ve heard the rumors of tough interviews with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson and of course Billy Bob Thornton but other than a few small-timers who went all ego-tastic on me i've had none of it in thirty years in broadcasting!
Probably the nicest performer I’ve ever met, the most appreciative and humble person was Tony Bennett. If you experienced this man in concert you know what I mean. Almost every word he says is wrapped in this thankful deep knowing that he has chosen well. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in life then just watch old Tony.
When a music superstar asks you backstage “how was the show? Was it ok?” It’s really a what-duh-moment. Was it ok? It was one of the best shows I’ve ever experienced is what it was. “I’m never too sure how it sounds from your end” he continued. It’s not that he wasn’t sure of himself, he, even after all these years in the business, still wanted and invited feedback.
Here is a guy who fought in the final stages of World War II as an infantryman. He had his first No. 1 song “Because of You" in 1951. His other biggies include “Rags to Riches,” “Blue Velvet,” and tons more. Of course his signature song is "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". When he sings the latter it’s always a moment in time that everyone in the audience remembers.
Bennett has often said that he gets a great comfort in performing, going as far as saying it keeps him young. The American legend has just released an extended concert schedule starting Aug. 9 in Newport, Ri and taking him well past his annual Christmas gigs into Feb. 14 in Uncasville, CT.
It’s strange to say that at 82, the crooner is on top of his game. What his voice has lost in range he easily makes up with heart. – by John Beaudin
August 2009
9 - Newport, RI - Fort Adams State Park
15 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
16 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
28, 29 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Festival at Ravinia Park
September 2009
12 - Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater
25 - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Performing Arts Center
26 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery
October 2009
6 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Orpheum Theatre
7 - Victoria, British Columbia - Royal Theatre
9 - Regina, Saskatchewan - Conexus Arts Centre
10 - Calgary, Alberta - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
12 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - TCU Place
13 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Manitoba Centennial Centre
15 - Edmonton, Alberta - Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
November 2009
4 - Morristown, NJ - The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
6, 7 - Atlantic City, NJ - Ceasars Atlantic City
December 2009
5 - Baltimore, MD - Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
16 - New York, NY - Count Basie Theatre
January 2010
5 - Saratoga, FL - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
6 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
8 - Miami, FL - Adrienne Arsht Center
10 - Naples, FL - Philharmonic Center for the Arts
12 - West Palm Beach, FL - Kravis Center for the Arts
February 2010
14 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena |