(Seguin) — Need an early present for the holidays? Tickets are now on sale for this weekend’s Sting Ray Anthony ‘Jukebox Rocks” Rock ‘n’ Roll Extravaganza at the Palace Theater. The show, featuring music from the 50s and 60s, is set to take the stage Saturday afternoon at the historic downtown theater.
Described as an “arsenal of talent” which extends beyond the look and voice of those rock and rollers of the 50s, Anthony has come to be recognized for various musical work including his award-winning tribute show where Anthony performed as Ritchie Valens following the 80s movie, “La Bamba.”
Anthony tells the Seguin Daily News that thanks to his love and passion for the music, this weekend’s performance will be filled with plenty of hits — helping the audience re-live that time in music and history.
“The songs that I’m doing is not just Ritchie Valens songs. That’s why I call it ‘Jukebox Rocks.’ So I’m doing stuff from Buddy Holly, Bobby Darren, Ricky Nelson, the Beach Boys, Dale Shannon. I’m doing a whole variety of rock and roll music — stuff that people know that come to the show. They’ll recognize it — stuff that they probably haven’t heard in umpteen years but we are still out there doing it man,” said Anthony.
Anthony states, “It’s amazing what happens to the audience when I sing Ritchie Valens’ songs. They get very excited and want to dance out of their seats to join in. I love that part.” He is reported as having a “breathtaking rendition” of Valens bringing captivated fans to their feet and has scored rave reviews from critics.
Anthony says he looks forward to giving the audience a high energy performance — a performance that will also include special guest entertainers Shake, Rattle and Roll, an all-female show group.
“It’s all me. I’m singing. Every one of those songs on stage, I’m singing, performing. I’m playing my guitar, entertaining. I’m from the old school entertaining. I just don’t stand up there and sing a song,” said Anthony.
Before joining the award-winning live tribute show “Legends in Concert,” Anthony performed his high energy tribute to Valens in shows across Canada, the US, and Mexico and received personal accolades from Ritchie Valens’ original producer-manager Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records. He says Keane was very impressed with his portrayal of his star and pleased that Ritchie’s memory was being kept alive in a professional manner.
In addition to helping the audience re-live the music, Anthony says he hopes to also find new fans for the music during this weekend’s concert.
“I always encourage the folks to always bring their kids, their grandkids, their great-grandkids. Bring them to the show because we have to keep this kind of music going in America. This is America’s music and we are losing it,” said Anthony.
The concert gets underway at 4 p.m. Saturday at the theater located at 314 S. Austin St. For tickets and reservations, call 832-312-0074 or email stevemdxelvis@gmail.com.