Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 29, 2006 Hot Gossip will highlight the New Year's Eve celebration at Ramada Medford. (Beau Berry) Countdown to 2007 Ramada Medford ushers in the new year with five bands By RICHARD MOESCHL Mail Tribune Why celebrate the New Year with just one night? Organizers at the Ramada Medford have stretched their party into a three-day New Year's Weekend Extravaganza, with music ranging from The New Rascals in the Grand Ballroom to a Frank Sinatra impersonator crooning at your dinner table. The weekend gets underway at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, in the Grand Ballroom with the Fabulous Fairlanes playing top hits from the '50s, '60s and '70s until 1 a.m. Meanwhile in the Buzz Saw Saloon, there will be dancing to music from the '60s to the '90s with the House Cats. The saloon is designed to evoke a turn-of-the century logging boom-town. There is a long bar, a large dance floor and Oregon Lottery gaming machines. Tickets for Friday night are $10 and include admission into both the ballroom and the lounge at the inn, 2250 Biddle Road, Medford. On Saturday, Dec. 30, The New Rascals will take the stage in the Grand Ballroom with Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame members Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli from the original band. The New Rascals carry on the tradition of the Young Rascals (later shortened to the Rascals). This group has sold over 30 million albums. Sixteen of their albums went on to become gold and platinum records. The group is known for many original songs, including hit singles "Good Lovin'," "Groovin'," "A Beautiful Morning," "A Girl Like You," "How Can I Be Sure?" "I've Been Lonely Too Long" and "People Got to be Free." Advertisement Back in the early 1960s, the original Rascals lineup included Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Cornish and Danelli. On the group's Web site, Atlantic records producer/engineer Tom Dowd recalls, "The Rascals were unusual. They were a macho band. Three of them could sing like birds, but they played aggressively, even on ballads. There was an energy to them, a positive energy. They put on a great show, and they were fun. They were dedicated to their concept." Their concept? Cavaliere describes it as "Marvin Gaye's voice, Ray Charles' piano, Jimmy Smith's organ, Phil Spector's production and The Beatles' writing. Put them all together and you've got what I wanted to do." By 1972 the Rascals had disbanded. In 1997 the group was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Southern Oregon's own Rogue Suspects will open the Saturday show at 7 p.m. The Rogue Suspects have appeared with James Brown, Pablo Cruise, Bo Diddley, Norton Buffalo and Los Lobos, among others. Band members include Greg Frederick, bass; Dirk Price, guitar; Dean Angermeier, keyboards; and Gary Keeney, drums. The House Cats will again provide dance music in the Buzz Saw Saloon beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets for Saturday night are $45 and include admission to the Rogue Suspects and The New Rascals concert in the ballroom and the House Cats performance in the lounge. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there is no reserved seating. On Sunday, Dec. 31, Southern Oregon band Hot Gossip will usher in the new year with dance hits from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Hot Gossip originated in the 1970s in Los Angeles before settling in Southern Oregon. Band members are Randy Bollet, vocals and percussion; Wayne Rastellini, drums; Mark Looper, bass; Brian O'Brien, keyboards; and Gary Youngblood, guitar. "We like to get that old style of rock'n'roll goin' with a lead man out in front," Bollet says. "We play a lot of stuff from Led Zeppelin, AC DC, Bon Jovi, Elvis and the Commodores." The band has shared the stage with such artists as Eric Burdon and War, Three Dog Night, The Commodores, The Ike and Tina Turner Revue, Robben Ford and Mick Mars of Motley Crue. There also will be dancing to the music of The House Cats in the Buzz Saw Saloon beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and $25 per couple and include admission into The Hot Gossip New Year's Eve show in the ballroom and The House Cats performance in the lounge. The Hungry Woodsman will serve a buffet dinner in the Grand Ballroom from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Dec. 31 only. During dinner, Frank Sinatra impersonator Clint Ingretson will croon to the guests. Tickets for the dinner and dance party are $35 per person or $65 per couple. The Ramada Inn is offering special holiday rate packages that include performances as well as an overnight stay at the hotel. See www.RamadaMedford.com or call 779-7829. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com