JERSEY POLKA RICHIE
From time to time, I've performed in big shows with various other artists and performers.
The most memorable shows were the ones where I think I might have had a better time than the audience...
BLACKBIRD
"Blackbird" was written by Paul McCartney in 1968, and released on their legendary "White Album".
It is among the top ten most recorded songs of all time.
And here is another recording by me!
TORNA A SORRIENTO
An Italian classic! Here's the story about playing the song for Enzo, the Catskills club owner who was also Elvis' Number One Fan...
KANSAS CITY
"Kansas City" is a popular song composed in 1952 recorded over 300 times by many of the giants in the popular music world.
And it's probably my favorite song to play!
STARDUST
"Stardust" is a popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics added by Mitchell Parish in 1929.
It is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 1,500 recordings.
And it's a lot of fun to play!
60s FLASHBACK MEDLEY
Oldies but goodie!
I really enjoy the vintage tunes, especially from this time period.
Go ahead- sing along!
BAVARIAN MANOR AND THE BEER BARREL POLKA
Everyone knows the "Beer Barrel Polka"!
Here's the story about the summer I performed magic at the Bavarian Manor in the Catskills, and got to play with the house oompa band...
STEPPIN' OUT
An oldie but goodie!
I really enjoy the vintage tunes, especially lively melodies like this one.
Go ahead- get up and dance!
BACH IN 30 SECONDS
How I have fun when warming up!
A quick and easy piece that gets me in the musical mood.
Fun, right?
TAKE FIVE
A Dave Brubeck Quartet jazz classic that I love to play because it is so challenging.
Hope you enjoy it!
INSTALLMENT #1 (yes, there's more!)
When I was seven years old, my parents bought this Giuletti accordion for me. I could barely hold it up!
Within a few years, I could play well enough to perform in public.
Not only did I play at the many family gatherings my Italian family had, but I also found myself playing at many interesting events!
Let me tell you about some of my unusual (and funny) adventures...
INSTALLMENT #2 (and keep looking, there's more!)
Back in the 1980s, when I lived in upstate New York, I performed a lot for Gov. Mario Cuomo.
I performed my magic at everything from small cocktail parties to major arena events.
Over the years, Gov. Cuomo and I developed a friendship based on our pride in NY State and the fact that we saw each other so much.
We also had a shared background- it seems our ancestors came from the same region in Italy.
In fact, Gov. Cuomo joked that we looked alike (though he always added that he was the handsome one).
Let me tell you about the time Gov. Cuomo sang O SOLO MIO while I played the accordion...
INSTALLMENT #3 (be sure to watch from Installment #1!)
When you are a performer, you have to be ready for anything.
But the time my opening act forgot her music turned out to be a doozy!
Let me tell you about the Lady Of Spain incident...
