Scott Tady: Little Anthony shined in Midland; Bret Michaels' Parti Gras merits a sequel

Little Anthony delivered a splendid performance last weekend at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer nailed those high notes on 1958's "Tears on My Pillow," and sounded sterling on 1960s Little Anthony & The Imperials hits like "I'm on The Outside (Looking In)," "Goin' Out of My Head" and Hurts So Bad," each sung with emotional conviction.

The 82-year-old Brooklyn native admitted he's not a fan of 1959's "Shimmy, Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop," but he sang it with moxie anyway, because it was a hit, too.

From lamenting how he and The Imperials rejected an offer to open for The Beatles in 1964, to jokingly shrugging off how the girl who inspired "Take Me Back" never took him back ("It sold a million records, so who needed her?") Little Anthony proved to be a funny and candid storyteller.

Backed by a tight, top-notch band that included Lincoln Park faculty member/two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Eric DeFade, Little Anthony also excelled on a cover of The Beatles' "Something."

Bravo to Chris Shovlin, Lincoln Park's chief executive officer, for pulling however many strings it took to land such a famous and high-caliber concert performer.

And it was a great idea to give the show's opening act honors to Lincoln Park graduate Jacquelyn Paul, now a jazz student at Temple University. Her vocal range was very impressive, reaching the requisite heights on Adele and Mariah Carey covers. Joined by a Temple classmate on keys, Paul ended with a fine original, "Time." She sometimes sings at The Venue at Harmony Ridge, owned by her parents.

Nothin' but a good time

Leave it to Pittsburgh-proud rocker Bret Michaels to come up with a cool concept for a concert.

For his Parti Gras show at The Pavilion at Star Lake on July 15, Michaels sang all the big hits from his Poison days, like "Something to Believe In" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." But instead of padding the set with deep cuts or new tunes few fans would be familiar with, the Butler native brought out friends Mark McGrath and Steve Augeri to sing hits by their respective bands, Sugar Ray and Journey.

So McGrath, in his spiffy purple Nikes, jumped aboard just three songs in to sing "Every Morning" (think halo hanging from a girlfriend's four-post bed), as Michaels moseyed to the back of the stage to chip in on congas.

McGrath returned a half hour later to sing the 1997 Sugar Ray smash "Fly," then stuck around as hype man for Michaels who cruised through more Poison songs like "Nothin' But a Good Time."

The presence of Augeri meant the crowd of 9,000 or so got to rock out to Journey's "Separate Ways," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Any Way You Want It." Some of the inherent high notes overwhelmed Augeri, something also witnessed during "Sister Christian" amid the warmup set by Night Ranger.

Members of Night Ranger and fellow openers Jefferson Starship returned to the stage as Michaels hit the homestretch with a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama."

Michaels left absolutely no doubt the sweetest home is Pittsburgh, as his infectious banter frequently mentioned how delighted he felt being back in the 'Burgh, rocking out with an audience that truly felt like family.

He hopes to make Pardi Gras an annual concert. If so, I recommend giving everyone who enters the gates Mardi Gras beads.

Of course, of course

I enjoyed my first visit to Zelienople Horse Trading Days.

The S'Wearing Hats kicked off the July 20 opening night of music, playing a nice mix of covers by acts like No Doubt, Talking Heads, Lit, Queen and 3 Doors Down. With four different band members sharing lead vocals, and South Beaver Township native Scott Swanson on lead guitar, the Cranberry-based S'Wearing Hats entertained festivalgoers gathered in a municipal parking lot, taking a break from strolling Zelienople's bustling main street sidewalks where local vendors sold merchandise.

Represented were a few craft breweries and Beaver County's Harkins Mill Winery (their Ambridge storefront is coming soon), selling cups of refreshing adult beverages that could be enjoyed as you walked down the street.

No tickets or admission charges were required except for the July 22 closing night performance by nationally known alt-rock band Eve 6.

They Dazz-led

It also felt good last weekend dancing to the Dazz Band under the stars at South Park Amphitheater.

Decked out in head-to-toe white attire, the Dazz Band's four frontline vocalists smoothly blended old-school funk with soulful R&B ballads. One segment saw them bust out their favorite, individualized dance moves, teaching a few lessons to the dozens of people who fled their lawn chairs to shake and shimmy in front of the stage.

Shaped by horns, keys, guitar, drums and some particularly enjoyable bass, The Dazz Band leaned into the funkiness for "Joystick" and ended satisfyingly with the 1982 dance party staple "Let It Whip."

South Park's natural grass amphitheater has a chill vibe, with food trucks and beer and wine tents.

An hour's drive from Beaver, I view it as a rite of summer, and recommend catching a show there. Jazz artists Richie Goods & Chien Chien play there Aug. 4; followed on Aug. 11 by rocker J.D. McPherson with a warmup set by Pittsburgh's Paul Luc joined by Beaver County guitarist Andre Costello. See Costello's rock band, Forestry Division, headline this Sunday's (July 30) local music showcase at South Park's sister park, Hartwood Acres in Hampton Township.

Edwin McCain (Aug. 18), The Tamburitzans (Aug. 25) and Punchline (Sept. 1) round out the South Park summer season.

Local artist remembered

The local arts scene mourns the loss of popular Baden artist Gary Means who died July 19 at the age of 82.

Means showcased his artworks at many Beaver County festivals and events like Beaver Light-Up Night, where he'd be featured painting live from the storefront of the Courtney-Laughlin Frame Studio & Gallery. Frank G's Place in Bridgewater has three large Means' works in its special event room, and fellow Bridgewater restaurant the Wooden Angel displayed his work for years, gallery owner Jamie Laughlin said.

"His art is in many of our homes and businesses, as well as other parts of the country," Laughlin said. "Gary was a pastel artist and also had a ministry called 'Parables in Pastels' where he would travel to different churches and organizations, preaching the Gospel and creating a painting − making it all come to life, to the amazement of all those who watched. We will all miss him."

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Little Anthony shined in Midland; Michaels' Parti Gras merits sequel