by Timothy Rutt
Sheriff Support Group Summer Concert Series producer Robert Klomburg passed on this warning to us: Van Nixholme, whose All American Audio Visual provides the sound and light for the Farnsworth concert series as well as others around the area, said that next Saturday’s artist, Dean Colley, usually draws 2,000 people to a concert. Then he sent this note about Colley’s concert a couple of weeks ago in La Canada:
We had well over 3000 people in attendance. No place for a quarter to land. To top it off Dean announced to these 3000 + people what he was going to be doing on Sept. 7th. and exactly where that is…. Be afraid Bob, be very afraid.
Since the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater only holds about 900 souls, it could get interesting.
Colley’s Neil Diamond tribute band, “Hot August Night,” lands at Farnsworth Park Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 PM, in a triumphant return of a popular favorite.
Colley has been performing in rock bands since 1982, after leaving the University of Southern California, where he was studying biology. 15 years of playing in bars and regional fairs followed playing rock and roll covers with other local musicians. All the while, people began taking notice of Dean’s ever more prominent resemblance to Neil Diamond. Soon, audience members were asking Dean if he did any Neil Diamond songs.
A short time later, a local businessman asked Dean if he’d like to put together a tribute to Neil Diamond. Dean accepted the challenge and began studying the songs of the legendary singer/songwriter. After a trial version of Dean as Neil Diamond in a small club, he was offered a chance to perform for a community concert put on by a local Kiwanis club. From there, the show became known as “Hot August Night”, after the title of Neil Diamond’s live album recorded at the Greek Theater.
Many versions of the band followed. Players came and went. However, a chance audition for a tribute show for military personnel in Japan introduced him to a whole new level of players. These musicians were seasoned professionals and put a whole new spin on Dean’s presentation. After arriving home after the tour of Japan, Dean convinced the band to play in Hot August Night. This led to working with better musicians and an outstanding presentation.
Today, Hot August Night has played casinos, corporate parties, fairs, and clubs all over the United States, Japan, Canada, and England.
Hot August Night has played major showrooms in Reno NV, Laughlin, NV, Las Vegas NV, Carson City NV, Minden NV, Tucson, Phoenix, Yuma, AZ, Lincoln OR, Seattle WA, Atsugi Japan, Iwakuni Japan, Oxford England, Bettendorf IA, Edmonton Canada, Stone Mountain GA, Toulumne, San Diego, Hollywood, Anaheim, Hollywood, Beverly Hills CA, and Palm Springs CA.
El Patron Mexican Restaurant is on line to serve food, with beer and wine provided by the Altadena Rotary Club.
Get there early! Admission is free.
While we are expecting a capacity crowd, similar to Upstream and the Groove, we seriously do not expect the 3,000 to 3,500 that attended the concert in Memorial Park in La Canada. But… we could be wrong!
The most important item to remember is seating is NOT guaranteed. It is first come, first serve. There are no reserved seats.
And, just like the Rose Parade, your entire party must be present to be seated. No holding seats please.
Most importantly, come to have a great time! This is going to be a fun concert with lots of dancing with everyone having a good time!
See you Saturday!