Anyone who knows anything about the history of music in Pennsylvania sure are familiar with “The Vogues.”
In the late 60s through mid-70s, “The Vogues” brought their musical style from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania and transformed it into a sound that delighted folks across the world.
They’ve grabbed a No. 1 hit with “Turn and Look at Me”; two No. 2 songs, “You’re the One” and “Five O’Clock World”; and two top fives with “My Special Angel” and “Till.”
“These guys are kind of like, well, hometown guys,” said Chuck Banas, the library board’s vice-president, as well as organizer of the now annual concert series. “We’re excited to have them on stage performing here in northern Blair County. It’s going to be a real treat.”
According to Banas, “The Vogues” will be playing a mix of “The Vogues’” greatest hits, as well as some more modern music.
Joining “The Vogues” on stage will be now 11-year-old Vanessa Campagna and comedian/musician Robbie Wise.
Campagna has already been to the Tyrone area twice since she was runner-up in last year’s CBS-sponsored Star Search vocal contest. Campagna appeared on the high school stage last year, and, according to Chuck Banas, her “magnetic personality” has brought her back.
Wise has also visited Tyrone. Recently, he and Campagna entertained more than 50 residents and guests at Tyrone’s Colonial Courtyard.
This is the fourth concert in the ongoing fundraising effort of the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library’s Board of Directors. It’s scheduled for April 17 at the auditorium of the Tyrone High School.
Tickets have been on sale for a few weeks, and according to Banas, the goal of 700 ticket sales is well within their reach with just two week left.
“We’re getting close,” said Banas yesterday. “We’ve sold 681 tickets – just 19 shy. Next Tuesday, the radio advertisements get going.”
Banas said since the announcement of the concert, people from all over the state – including areas in Pittsburgh, York, Lancaster and Scranton – have ordered tickets.
Library officials have calculated that if they sell 700 tickets at $25 each, they will make enough revenue to pay one year’s worth of mortgage payments, thus loosening up options when money is raised in other ways. Recent cuts to the state budget in library funding has crippled small, local libraries, and officials hope this will allow more emphasis to be placed on fundraising for operating the facility.
Tickets are available at a number of area outlets, including Kopp Drug of Tyrone, Joybeans, Healthy Alternatives, Bressler Food Mart and Sports, from any member of the library board, or by calling 1-888-868-3108.
Meanwhile, work continues at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and West Tenth Street. Banas said the end caps for the shelving is in and will soon be installed, and noted the furniture would be arriving “shortly”
A special grand opening should be announced for mid-April.
“We’re don’t want to say exactly when we’ll be up, running and open to the public,” said Banas. “We’ve waited three years for this, a few days more shouldn’t hurt anybody.”
