Charles F Steinmetz Company

The songwriting duo came up with the catchy, bubblegum singalong “Tracy”, which became an international hit. Released in 1969 by Decca Records and distributed by MCA/Universal, Dante was the sole multi-voiced singer on the original recording but once the song charted, a group was specially created comprising Pat Rizzo (saxophone), Rick Dimino (keyboards), Bob Gill (trumpet/flugelhorn/flute), Dave Lavender (guitar), Andrew “Junior” Denno (bass), Joe Cord (vocals) and Danny Valentine (drums). Dante decided not to tour with the group.

Joe Cord and Rupert Holmes (“Escape -The Piña Colada song”) provided lead vocals for the second album. continue reading…

Many historians believe that R&B music began in small clubs along Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue. This may very well be, since certainly in the early days of R&B, Baltimore contributed more than its share of influential vocal groups. One such group, The Swallows were formed in 1946 when a group of 13-year-old songsters name themselves The Oakaleers. continue reading…

Earlington Tilghman created one of the most influential vocal groups of all time when he formed the Vibranairs in Baltimore after World War II. Tilghman was better known as Sonny Til, a charismatic tenor who loved rich arrangements and had a knack for picking (and writing) great material. continue reading…

Yearning for the music with lyrics you can understand, a melody you can hum to, harmony to sweeten the lyrical message – you will find it all again with the performance at your affair by Baltimore’s Bleu Lights. continue reading…

In June 1998, an acappella group by the name of the Fellas, from the Washington, DC area, were invited to be the opening act to perform on the 50^th anniversary for one of the world’s most famous Doo Wop Groups known as the Orioles. continue reading…