Big party at the Gem, and it’s for a good cause.
While putting together today’s Benny’s Lost ’80s Bash fundraising concert for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York, Syracuse native Greg Ross came up with a different wrinkle.
Fans of Benny Mardones were able to purchase tickets for last night’s Eat and Greet at the Gem Diner to meet the rocker himself and many, many more people involved with this afternoon’s show at Onondaga Community College.
Old-school diner in appearance.
Way back, this place was known as Mario’s Little Gem, and considered a Syracuse treasure for after-live-music eggs and schmooze.
It’s changed hands several times and gone through a name shortening. Importantly, while still old school in style and character, it’s renovation is very nice.
Greg invited my dear wife Karen to attend the event. He lives in the Big Apple now, where he used to own his own record label. More than a decade back, he started producing a documentary on Mardones, and in my role as music critic and writer for the big daily, I was interviewed in the film, and Greg and I have continued the relationship as Ross has remained part of Mardones’ working contingent whenever the Los Angeles-based rocker returns here to play or record.
The Eat and Greet was held in tents behind the diner, with a red carpet leading participants between the two.
The event actually was staged outside the Gem, under two tents. Attendees were greeted by a red carpet.
Tables were set inside, two reserved for the musicians at one side of the space, the portion that held a backdrop where a professional photographer was glad to take your photo.
The folks who staged the event did it well. Beer and wine were available. The buffet dinner, set out inside the Gem — you walked the red carpet in between to fetch the food and bring it back to your table — was delicious.
Mike Jorgensen, ready to get “Benny Mardones Unauthorized” signed.
Karen and I chose a table already occupied by a seemingly friendly man and his daughter.
I said hello, and of course after the gates open at 4 today, Karen and I will be looking for Mike Jorgensen and his daughter Erin to enjoy the show with them, too.
They moved to Syracuse in 2003 from Shanghai, China, where he’d lived two years.
Mike, an engineer for Eaton/Crouse-Hinds, had bounced around U.S. Cities before that. He’s been glad to stay for 11 years here so his oldest son was able to go through high school in one place, he said, and now Erin, too. In three weeks, she’ll be starting her freshman year at the same college her brother attended, the University at Buffalo.
Mike said to make sure to point out that the tickets to the Eat and Greet were a “great gift from my loving wife.”
Anna chose Erin to go with Mike, and they were having a blast scurrying around the room having musicians and other folks they deemed interesting sign album covers with Sharpies they’d brought.
After I had a nice conversation with John Mangicaro, drummer in Benny’s band The Hurricanes, I pointed him out to Mike. Bingo. First autograph.
Benny Mardones, back in his adopted Syracuse, ready for today’s bash at OCC.
Then the man of the night made his entrance from a limo.
Fans who knew him politely lined up to hug Benny Mardones. More than a couple handed him a bottle of wine in a gift bag.
He smiled and chatted and looked very good for a rock singer in his 60s who’s been battling Parkinson’s disease for a decade.
When I got a minute with Benny — I’ve known him since 1991 and today’s show will be the 20th or so time I’ve seen he and the Hurricanes on stage, I figure — I told him he looks thin, and he smiled.
Mike politely asked Benny to sign the cover, and he did, in the spot of honor.
Later I pointed Mike to Kevin Farrell, Hurricanes, guitarist. And then, a great one: Jane Mardones, Benny’s wife.
Erin was a natural carrying the album covers to the folks that looked like musicians, smiling her teen smile, and getting them to sign her albums. It didn’t matter when it didn’t match the band.
“It’s the only album I own,” was her answer, and they accepted.
Tommy Tutone’s autography was big and bold.
Mike asked the Syracuse policeman standing quietly at the back of the event to sign the album cover, and he did, cheerfully, “SPD.”
I introduced Mike to Frank Malfitano, the founder and executive director of the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest for 32 years and a great friend of Benny’s, and Frank signed the cover, adding “Jazz Fest” to his name. When Mike told Frank that Shanghai holds nothing over Syracuse as a city, they both smiled.
Greg Ross had a winner as the 100-plus folks mingled, regular fans and musicians who will play their hits today with Tommy Tutone and Flock of Seagulls and Dramara and Animotion and Naked Eyes and Tommy Anton of Information Society.
Not all the musicians were there. But it seemed like more than a dozen were. It was intriguing to play who’s that. They sure don’t look like they did on those album covers so many fans brought to have signed, you know. The musicians under the tents last night seemed happy to sign, to be there, to talk to regular folk about everyday things.
Tommy Tutone and I had an exchange about turntables after we heard the CD of 80s songs in the corner of the room skip-skip-skipping like they do.
We both remembered how loose change on the tone arm could keep that from happening with your vinyl records.
“My son got a new turntable and I saw it the other day, and he’s already got a nickel on it,” Tommy Tutone told me.
And we chuckled.
Central New Yorkers who didn’t get tickets ahead of time can get into today’s show on the OCC campus for a suggested donation of $10. It will be outside shine, inside SRC Arena rain. At 9:30 a.m., the sun is shining.
I’ll write about the event Wednesday for my weekly community blog for Syracuse Public Media site waer.org, and here, too, of course.
Here’s where you can catch up with Benny Mardones.
Here’s where you can find out more about the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund. Baldwin is the mother of famous actors Alec, Stephen, Daniel and William. She is a breast cancer survivor. Her daughter Beth does a terrific job with the foundation. Carol and Beth live in Central New York.
Have you tried to get musicians to autograph album covers, and why? Did anybody say yes or no in an interesting manner? Vinyl albums, reel-to-reel, eight-track, cassettes, cds, iPods, smart phones: Which do you still play music with, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
You know Mike J., too? Boy this city really isn’t big enough. Haha. We have mutual friends, and have hung out with them a good handful of times. Great people, and it’s awesome that you hung out with them at the show. Haven’t seen him too recently, but ran into his wife, Anna, and Erin the day my car was deemed “totaled.”
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Oh, no, Chris. Bad day. MIke J. is one cool dude. Erin is a very sweet upper teen. We weren’t lucky enough to meet Anna, though. Still, small world after all.
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Yes, of course. (The Monkees & Peter Noone). I own LP’s, & 45s but only listen to CDs. You have the most fun!!
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I have some fun, I do admit, Rachel.
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And I’m so glad you share your fun. I can’t wait until you go see Uncle Leon Four Barrel and Granny. 😀
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Wow, your normal friends, Rachel! Quite the interesting band. 🙂
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LOL! 🙂
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I really am proud to know you, Mark! You have quite a lot of warm connections with some fine musicians! I loved the whole atmosphere of the meal, the meet and greet, the man who came out of the limo, aging but you show grace and kindness in every one you introduce and talk to. I think it is cool that I still have my junior high Apple and other brand labels, of 45’s. I babysat for a week for the service of someone to help me fix my little wooden 45 record player. I have not had any real problems with the needle, but it is one I don’t use often. My Johnny Cash, “What is Truth?” My Simon and Garfunkel, “Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters,” and my Beatles’ 45’s are beloved. I have not let my grandkids even know they are in there, Yet! My oldest and youngest daughters were allowed to use them at their 13th birthday parties. My oldest then wanted to repeat it at age 16, with more guys present to dance to the ‘tunes.’ Fun memories, but nothing like your famous, more than one hit wonders, friends!
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Keep those 45s to your own memories, Robin, because they will forever will be special. Way to go, I love the way you love those records and let the oldest and youngest to dance to them at the 13th and 16th birthday parties and that’s it! Way to go, Robin. Great groups and songs, too!
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There’s a new song out called “Cool Kids,” and it sounds like you got to hang out with them. Well, maybe not KIDS per se, but… BTW, you might find it funny that I edit all of our church PowerPoint presentations, and we flash a Communication Card before and during services, showing a card completed as an example. I always set the phone number as 867-5309. Recently, a girl in the worship team asked, “Isn’t someone going to get mad that we put their real phone number up there?” I wanted to shake her. But she was pregnant.
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Young people, forgive them for not knowing, Kerbey. Tell her next time that your friend Mark says Tommy Tutone told him it’s OK to use that number on the Power Point.
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Hurray!
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It seems so odd to see someone out in public with an LP these days (even though I still have about a thousand in a huge bookcase). The coin trick nearly ALWAYS worked, too!
Benny’s ‘Unauthorized’ is the perfect blank slate for someone to collect signatures – good choice. My wife and I had a great time at Friday’s event.
BTW – Patrick MacDougall (Benny’s engineer & producer for the upcoming record) was there as well. Patrick’s pedigree is extensive – he has spent much of his career circling the globe working with some of the finest in the music industry.
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I can’t wait to hear Benny’s new album, Kevin. I think great care has gone into this “Timeless” collection, from what I hear, and it sounds like Patrick is a master, too! Yes, when I saw that “Unauthorized” was the choice, I knew my new friend was going to have an autograph bonanza with the white cover. And I have a thousand LPs, too … but not on display anymore. Too little space in our house. I have them, though, Kevin!
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Believe me Mark, if I could have a chance to meet Benny again I would in a heartbeat! Like my Mom said, I met him at an event and I tried to get his autograph…his bodyguard or staff member hit in my way and would not let me get close. Benny saw this and stopped and gave me the autograph I had asked for, to a little girl that just made my whole life at the time! His sweet, and kind gesture has never been forgotten! Jenn- Judy Berman’s daughter.
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I’m glad that Benny took the moment to make your day back then, and make a lifelong fan in the process. That’s the way it should be. Glad to meet you here, former Syracusan and Judy’s daughter!
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Glad to meet you too and am happy you were able to spend time with my Mom and Dave when they came to visit!
Benny did indeed make a lifelong fan!
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I love how you bring us along with you…and do so with arm extended, warmly welcoming and including us. I felt I was there…
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That’s the way I tried to write my concert review stories in the big daily for 21 years. I’ve carried the mission over here with my gone-to-event posts. I feel like the eyes-and-ears. Thanks for the kind words, my friend.
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What a wonderful event Mark. Again, I am amazed at your participation in life and community. Sounds like one of your favorite kind of nights, music, your Dear Wife Karen and old and new friends. Perfect.
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And food, Colleen! Don’t forget the food!! 🙂
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I seldom, if ever, forget about the food. 🙂
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Great post Mark. I’m starting to get around a little bit with my walker now, and worn out after 2 days of it, but hoping to make a few of the Philharmonic series this season. We don’t have a lot of concerts here, but once in a while some will come up, and the building management will get a bus to take us to it. Otherwise, we don’t have transportation. One of our Bluegrass stars will be doing his Jamboree on PBS tonight, so I’ll get to see what I missed when I couldn’t get out to the lake to enjoy it. He’s one of the kids I taught as a substitute teacher way back when, so it’s good to see him doing well. Especially since he could be touring with anyone in Nashville, but after a couple of seasons with Reba, he came home to manage the Bluegrass Museum.
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I’m glad you are getting around with the walker in addition to the big chair, Angie! And a bus trip to the Phil will be great for you. Seeing the lad you taught all grown as a star on TV, returning to his hometown no less, is pretty exciting, too, my friend.
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And even better is finding out he’s teaching now. True, he’s teaching bluegrass music, but he’s great at it, and still has all the rough edges I loved from his childhood, but he has really come a long way from way back then. He really is looking good.
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You do not have to stick a qualifier in there, Angie. Teaching bluegrass music is teaching! Way to go, and be proud, my friend.
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I listen to most music straight from the radio.I have a lovely digital one that means you can skip through the stations effortlessly; finding one without losing the one you are listening to. We are spoiled here with the BBC stations – no adverts!
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That’s why I like satellite for music in the car, Rachel. No commercials, as we call them over this side!
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Love that so many folks get together for a good cause Mark! Sounds like fun time was had by all! 😀
Diana xo
ps. If you or Ann happen to be commenting on each other posts, would you let her know that for some reason, I cannot get my comments to stick on her posts…I’m perplexed by it all. 😦
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We’re getting set to go to the event now, Diana, and it’s starting to thunder and get gray out there. Darn.
I will let Ann know next time I comment on her blog, which will be tomorrow. I already did today. 🙂
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Wow. I sit in awe of your opportunities, Chum. This sounds outstanding. I do enjoy live music.
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You have to love live music, Aud, for it is magic no matter the size of the and or the room. I think, anyhow. It’s a connection between player and listener.
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Agreed!
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That is so cool Mark, having a meet, great and eat. What an excellent idea. I’ve never seen that done before. I’m sure you had a wonderful time. I love those old stainless diners. When I was trucking I used to stop at lot of them scattered across the backroads of the Eastern US. There was one in Peabody Mass that I hung around regularly. (We hauled a lot into/out of Boston so I always went there when empty.) The time period and feel are perfect for the Hurricanes and other period groups/singers.I am sure the concert will go well and I hope it raises a lot of donations.
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Yes, Paul, the atmosphere was right for this show. And I can picture you trucking to diners for a good meal. Yes, I hope they raise some serious bread today.
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Mark … You know my family has a soft spot for Benny Mardones. He is one sweet, talented man who I remember from when I worked at 95X (WAQX-FM). At a 95X event, my youngest daughter, Jenn, was excited to see him and he was very gracious to her. Thanks for this update which I will share with Jenn McGinnis on Facebook. 😉
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Yes, Benny and I have talked over breakfast, lunch and dinner, on the phone from coast to coast, sharing thoughts about music and life and health and death. He is a good-hearted man. You have that right, Judy.
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Benny is a class act. I shared your post on Facebook. Our daughter, Jenn McGinnis, was delighted to read it. 😉
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Fantastic, Judy. Hello, Jenn! See you there today, JM?
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Sorry. Jenn moved to Orlando to work at Disney World about the same time we moved from Central New York. But I’ll bet she could be there. 😉
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I should have remembered she was down there, too. Oops!
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this is so fantastic, mark. what a great idea for them to have the meet and greet and what a great cause. that’s wonderful you have the old connection and recognize everyone. you have such a shared history with them, and so nice you could introduce your new friends – i’m surprised tommy tutone didn’t sign with that famous phone number ) sounds like syracuse is hopping. and i used to do the change on the needle trick too. i love vinyl and loved loved album covers and liner notes, but now i have no turntables, so it’s all cd’s, iPod, and my computer pretty much. –
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Isn’t it something how music delivery has changed in our lifetime, Beth? My favorite is still live at a bar. I listen a lot to satellite radio in my car. I happen to know you go NPR in the new Silver Subaru … )
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oh me too, mark, nothing like live. a whole other level of musical experience. i also got a free 3 month trial of satellite radio in the subaru, it may be hard to give up. and i love to sing along in the car )
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Check to see if the satellite company offers you the lifetime deal, Beth. When Karen got her Mazda, it was Sirius that was listed as the company and I was able to get her as a present satellite service for the life of the vehicle for like 500 bucks. If you’re going to keep SS as long as the RD … On the other hand, my Chevy, XM was listed first, and they didn’t offer the lifetime deal. Dang. But I’ve kept it, obviously.
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good tip mark – thanks )
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