The "Toe-Tappin' Hand Clappin' Good Time" Story

It was an ordinary day. Spending time at the Mt. Gretna Cicada Festival. This is the time of the year when the cicadas arrive and make all kind of noises. You knew that, didn't you? A cicada is almost the same thing as a locust. Shed their shells on almost anything and who know what happens to them. They are supposed to arrive every 7 years, but at Mt. Gretna, they arrive every year, allegedly. Well, the festival is a series of films, readings and concerts that are held in the first two weeks of August, when the cicadas arrive. For the past few years we have traveled the 20 minutes North to hear "Phil Dirt and the Dozers". Great R&R Band that has a fabulous keyboard/sax/clarinet/vocals member who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Once you hear him, you know why! This year we were not able to get tickets. "Sold Out" the first day they went on sale. Too many people have found out about them. Looked over the remaining concerts and chose a group called "The Bronx Wanderers". Write-up on the Gretna website says this about them: Being a teenager on an avenue in the Bronx back in the 50’s and early 60’s was unlike being a kid anywhere else in the universe. There was a magic in the air that blended right in with the sweet aroma of Mama’s cooking. It was the liberating sound of doo-wop and rock and roll. This music had heart, soul, purity and a sound... oh the sound...tunes that made you want to dance...harmonies that made you high...lyrics that once in a while, even made you cry. Well let me tell you .... it did all of the above for me. They were fabulous. The band specialized in music of Dion as well as The Four Seasons. Vinnie, the leader of the group (sounds like someone from the Bronx, doesn't it?) was a neighbor of Dion's from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Vinnie Adinolfi was born to be a musician. He worked as a performer, mostly as a backup to many different groups, and a record executive with Lifesong. When he retired 10 years ago he decided to live his dream as a band singer so recruited a combo that included his sons Vinnie III (keyboard and guitar) and Nick (drums). Think they are Italian? Also included James Fracasse from the Bronx on lead guitar and John Tutino of Florida (grew up with Vinnie in the Bronx) on sax. Vinnie III was 14 and Nick was 11 at the time. And, as Vinnie says, "It worked!" They played their first gig under the name "The Wanderers" and got 10 letters threatening to sue them. So, Vinnie called the group "The Bronx Wanderers". Let me tell you, they had some of the best harmony I've ever heard. And, charisma. Vinnie's story telling had the audience laughing most of the night. The kids are 24 and 21 now and are seasoned performers. Vinnie III just graduated from college and is one handsome guy. The energy, both in the band and in the audience, was electrifying. People dancing in the rear of the theatre. Never saw that before at Mt. Gretna. Most of the people in the audience, and I mean most, were toe-tapping, hand-clapping and singing along with the performers. The night passed fast. As they were just about to end the show, Vinnie asked about the group that has been invited back many times to Mt. Gretna (Phil Dirt and the Dozers). "I'm sure you have them back every year ..... but that's because you never heard us before. Hope to see you next year!" And with that they played Neil Diamond's song, "Coming to America." It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs show tickets, the Mt. Gretna Playhouse and The Bronx Wanderers: clockwise from the top are Vinnie, James, Nick, John and Vinnie III. Check out the great YouTube clip I found of them before they added the sax player.