This Saturday, the Bryce Jordan Center will transform as the Curbside Classics Doo Wop Show takes guests back in time.
Helping concert-goers along the way will be emcee Jerry Zolten, a Warriors Mark resident and professor at Penn State Altoona.
This isn’t Zolten’s first time in the spotlight though.
He previously published an award-winning book on the history of black gospel legends the Dixie Hummingbirds titled “Great God A’Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music”.
He has also produced CDs by Grammy-winners the Fairfield Four and their bass vocalist Isaac Freeman and written numerous CD liner notes and articles about the genre.
In addition to writing and producing, Zolten describes himself as a musical blues, swing, R&B (guitar/vocals) performer.
He also has a world-class collection of historically important 78 rpm recordings in the genres of gospel, blues, country, R&B and more.
Zolten is the host, writer, and co-producer of two hour-long nationally syndicated public radio programs, one on gospel history called In the Spirit, and the other, Chimpin’ the Blues, a collaboration with legendary cartoonist Robert Crumb on blues history.
Zolten has been teaching at Penn State since the mid-1980s and is currently an Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and American Studies.
In addition to communication skills course, he also teaches courses on the cultural roots of rock ‘n’ roll, a social history of stand-up comedy, and the impact of TV on 1950s America.
His wife, Joyce, is a social worker and his son, Zach, attends Penn State University.
The show is scheduled for this Saturday at 7 p.m. Featured will be Little Anthony and The Imperials, Terry Johnson’s Flamingos, Pittsburgh’s own Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners and 13-year-old Doo Wop Sensation Kid Kyle, all backed up by the sounds of Pure Gold.
According to information provided about the concert, “Little Anthony and the Imperials enjoyed one of the longest career runs of any doo wop group, adapting their honey-smooth style to fit the sweet uptown soul sound of the mid-’60s. Some of their hits include: Tears On My Pillow, Going Out of My Head and Hurt So Bad. They were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
“Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners were among the more dramatic, theatrical white doo wop groups. This Pittsburgh vocal group made a magnificent heartache ballad in 1959, Since I Don’t Have You. They were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
“Terry Johnson’s Flamingos were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Among their hits are I Only Have Eyes For You and Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.
“Kid Kyle first appeared on “American Idol Junior” at the age of 8 and has been bringing down the house for the last five years every time he performs.”
Tickets for this event are $45 for the public and $25 for Penn State students. They can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State Tickets Downtown, all Ticketmaster locations, at http://www.bjc.psu.edu or by calling (814) 865-5555.
