Texas Tenors kick start concert series

The Yuma Palms RV Resort kicks off its annual winter concert series Tuesday, bringing to the stage big-name performers ranging from Tony Orlando to The Oak Ridge Boys.

The local RV resort launched its concert series four years ago, with many performances drawing crowds of more than 800 people.

“We have had an overwhelming response from the community,” said Kelly McCann with Yuma Palms RV Resort. “The community supports a variety of entertainment interest on all of our concerts. We are looking forward to the Tony Orlando show this season.”

The concerts run through late March, with a mix of music, comedy and magic tricks.

The first concert will feature The Texas Tenors, a trio of singers who found their fame on NBC's “America's Got Talent.”

For more information on the concert series, go to www.YumaPalmsrvResort.com or call 341-9696.

The following is the lineup of shows coming to Yuma Palms RV Resort:

* The Texas Tenors

Tuesday at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $22.95/$28.95 (in park) and $26.95/$32.95 (out of park)

Description: More than 100 million people from around the world tuned in to NBC's “America's Got Talent” in 2009 to see The Texas Tenors become the highest-ranking vocal group in the history of the show. From Alabama to Puccini, John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher bring their unique blend of country, gospel, classical and Broadway to the stage.

The Texas Tenors have traveled the globe performing more than 450 concerts in the last three years. The Tenors have collaborated with numerous symphonies including the Houston Symphony, Cleveland Pops, Kansas City Symphony, Austin Symphony, Phoenix Symphony and Prague Philharmonic, to name a few. They have performed for such notable organizations as the Van Cliburn Foundation, Autry Foundation, Mutual of Omaha, Houston Rockets, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas, MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Royal Caribbean International and Pro Bull Riders World Championships.

John, Marcus and JC have been to more than 20 countries, including a 24-city tour of the U.K. In 2013, they will be touring China.

* Bob Anderson

Jan. 5 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Bob Anderson has been called “the best singing impressionist in show business” by People magazine. He was inducted into the Las Vegas Legends Hall of Fame in 2000. His show covers the voices of “The Rat Pack,” but branches into the contemporary sounds of Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, Tom Jones and Neil Diamond.

* Bowzer's Rock N Roll Party

Jan. 11 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $22.95/$28.95 (in park) and $26.95/$32.95 (out of park)

Description: Jon Bauman performed as his alter ego Bowzer, leader of the band Sha Na Na, for 14 years. As a solo artist, he guest starred on programs ranging from “The Barbara Mandrell Show” to “Super Password,” and guest hosted such shows as “An Evening at the Improv.” He also appeared in the movie “Grease” and sang the “Born To Hand Jive” number on the “Grease” album.

He spent two years as one of the original VJs on VH-1 and served as co-host of KHJ's “L.A. In The Morning.” On the acting front, he has appeared on “Miami Vice” and he's also active in voice-overs for animated series such as “Animaniacs” and feature films, including “My Little Pony” and “The Jetsons.”

* Original Wildcat Jass Band

Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: The Original Wildcat Jass Band, consisting of six jazz musicians in Arizona, offers traditional New Orleans and Chicago jazz. Band members have performed with big names in music such as The Moody Blues, Ray Charles, and Sammy Davis Jr.

* The Alley Cats

Jan. 25 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $12.95/$15.95 (in park) and $15.95/$17.95 (out of park)

Description: Formed at Fullerton College in 1987, The Alley Cats have made it to the forefront of a cappella music with their renditions of timeless doo-wop classics and their improvisational comedy. Through the years, the Cats have performed with notable celebrities such as Jay Leno, Rascal Flatts and The Beach Boys. They have entertained the president at the White House and have “edutained” students around the world through their nationally recognized arts education program.

* Matilda and Patrick Murray

Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Ventriloquist Patrick Murray has toured the entire U.S., Caribbean, South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. His greatest successes came after introducing Jamaican comedy diva, Matilda, into his act. The duo has headlined the revue show Dazzling Deceptions in Paradise Island, Bahamas for two years. They performed for one year as a headliner in Atlantic City at Resorts International Hotel and Casino. They have also performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in South Australia.

* The Oak Ridge Boys

Feb. 9 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $36.95/$39.95 (in park) and $38.95/$42.95 (out of park)

Description: The Oak Ridge Boys' string of hits includes the country-pop chart-topper “Elvira,” as well as “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes” and “Fancy Free.” In 2009, they covered a White Stripes song, receiving accolades from rock reviewers. In 2011, they rerecorded a 13th anniversary version of “Elvira” for a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store project. The group has scored 12 gold, three platinum and one double-platinum album — plus one double-platinum single — and had more than a dozen national number one singles and over 30 top 10 hits.

* Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone

Feb. 14 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $31.95/$35.95 (in park) and $39.95/$41.95 (out of park)

Description: At the age of 15, Peter Noone achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman's Hermits. His classic hits include “I'm Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I'm Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can't You Hear My Heartbeat” and “Just A Little Bit Better.” Ultimately, Herman's Hermits sold more than 52 million recordings. In all, 14 singles and seven albums went gold. Accompanied by his band, Herman's Hermits, Noone performs more than 200 concerts a year.

* Bernie and Red

Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Bernie & Red are a husband and wife team who perform throughout North America in venues large and small. They also perform around the world on cruise ship engagements. They have been described as a mixture of Burns and Allen, The Smothers Brothers and Bette Midler, with a touch of Carol Burnett and a dash of Benny Hill.

* New West

Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Founded in 1995, this trio from California is all about new Western music. Performing songs that pay tribute to the rancher, the vaquero and the men and women of the American West, the band features award winning songwriter Mike Fleming, renowned lead guitarist and mandolin player Raul Reynoso and Dave Jackson on bass. Since their debut, they have garnered three best songwriter awards from the Academy of Western Artists and The Western Music Association and won the 1999 Will Rogers Award for Best Duo/Group in Western Music. They've been featured at the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kan., and the Strawberry Music festival in California.

* Face to Face Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

March 2 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Billy Joel and Elton John tribute artists Michael John and Joey Riedel have joined forces to create The Ultimate Tribute Show based on the Face to Face Show performed by Billy Joel and Elton John. Just like the original tour, each artist performs a solo set and then culminate the show with a Face to Face set which features both of them playing together on two pianos trading off lyrics on each song they perform.

* Michelle Wright

March 8 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $29.95/$28.95 (in park) and $34.95 (out of park)

Description: Recently inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Michelle Wright has chosen to spotlight songs from her CDs both old and new on her first live album “The Wright Songs.” The CD features acoustic arrangements of many of Wright's biggest hits, including “Take It Like A Man,” the SOCAN–award winning “I Surrender,” “He Would Be Sixteen,” and her collaboration with pianist Jim Brickman, “Your Love.”

* Michael Finney

March 16 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $13.95

Description: Michael Finney won the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts Award in 2004. This award is the equivalent to the Academy Awards for movie stars. Finney was a finalist on the TV show “Star Search” with Ed McMahon in 1986 and has made numerous appearances on such shows as “Fox's Comic Strip Live,” “HBO's Comics on the Road,” “Sunday Comics with Lenny Clark,” “Bud Freidman's An Evening At The Improv” and two NBC specials hosted by John Ritter titled “World's Greatest Magic” and “World's Wildest Magic.” In 1987 he received the Silver Lion's Head Award from magicians Siegfried & Roy.

* Tony Orlando

March 22 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $36.95/$39.95 (in park) and $38.95/$42.95 (out of park)

Tony Orlando has sold millions of records, including five No. 1 hits: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree,” “Knock Three Times,” “Candida,” “My Sweet Gypsy Rose” and “He Don't Love You (Like I Love You).” Orlando worked for Don Kirshner at the famous Brill Building, recording demos for Carole King, Barry Goffin, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. He became a teenage idol at 16 with his first hit, “Halfway to Paradise.” Soon after he became a music publisher for Clive Davis at April-Blackwood Music, where he signed such songwriters as James Taylor. Orlando is a popular headliner in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, Biloxi and Laughlin. And he maintains a touring schedule with appearances at performing arts centers around the country.