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Yes, occasionally I do step out of the Forest… Not often, but who could turn down a date with my husband Rick!  As a bonus get see The Buckinghams in concert too.

The intimate setting of Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theater immerses the audience into a concert in a way that would be lost in a larger venue. From the opening song by The Buckinghams the audience became the backup singers for the entire evening. Couples and groups of friends sang, cheered and swayed with each song flowed to the next. Carl Giammarese‘s rich croon wooed the crowd with “Don’t You Care” and “Kind Of A Drag”. When Carl joined forces with Nick Fortuna to grind out the hot bluesy “Mercy, Marcy Mercy” you could feel the building energy from the stage radiating into audience . The band kicked it into show no mercy full throttle as Nick stepped out for “Expressway To Your Heart”. The backing of Dave Zane on guitar and vocals, Bruce Soboroff on keyboards and vocals and Rocky Penn on drums and vocals created a strong base on which Carl and Nick built the band’s unique sound.

Other musicians who would be performing later in the evening dropped by the theater to watch The Buckinghams set, yeah they were that good! While we were standing at the back both Rick and I realized Vance Brescia of Herman’s Hermit was looking over our shoulders enjoying the music. At the end of the “rocking the house” set by The Buckinghams we noticed Peter Noone had also joined Vance to enjoy the concert. Lead by Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna The Buckinghams still have that raw rocking “Chicago Sound” of the 1960s.

During our interview Carl reminisced about his early musical influences. He mentioned the importance of the classic California surf sound including the Ventures. One could hear The Buckinghams make the 60s surf sound their own with the rhythm and tight harmony of “Kind Of a Drag”.

Later discussions lead to the longevity of The Buckinghams and their forty plus years of music history. Nick rightly points out that it is not that long; Bill Haley’s Comets have been performing for sixty years. Looking at Carl and Nick I am in awe of the friendship they have forged through the decades. It is the foundation that has kept The Buckinghams together. I for one am profoundly grateful.

August 21st is Carl Giammarese Birthday! Please send a shout out to him at http://bit.ly/CarlGiammarese

Their next four concerts:

8/24 Deadwood, South Dakota, KOOL Deadwood Nights

8/30 Clarksburg, West Virginia, WV Italian Heritage Fest @Clarksburg_Buzz

8/31 Onalaska, Wisconsin, Great River Block Party

9/21-22, Las Vegas, NV, Suncoast Casino & Hotel (2 nites) @suncoastcasino

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Rick and I would like to thank Jennifer Hoyt and the staff of Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theater for their help throughout our visit.