Cinderella is Magic!

It's magical.  And, that's not a word I throw around lightly.

It's no secret I love Broadway, and DPAC knows it, too.  They took a colleague and me o NYC last year for their 2014-2015 season preview and at the time, I couldn't tell you what I was seeing because it was a secret until the big unveiling.  Angela Hampton from ABC 11 was there taping her annual DPAC special, and she was going to announce everything on TV in March, so I had to keep my mouth shut.  That was especially hard after seeing this show.

I repeat: I am not someone who throws around the word "magical" to describe things.  So, I was skeptical going in, and had zero idea what to expect.  Here I am with DPAC's Jennie Lanning, Angela Hampton from ABC 11, and Brian Freeman, my colleague who works for one of our stations, WPTF:

Two days after that pic was taken, Carly Rae Jepsen was stepping into the role of Cinderella.  Before the show, we got to see her on stage rehearsing for the part.  

The show was awesome, the costumes amazing and I could NOT believe how they made Cinderella's dress go from rags to a ballgown in one spin.  Yes.  ONE spin.  William Ivey Long is the costume designer--he's won a zillion Tonys, and he just happens to be from North Carolina.  He actually lived at the Raleigh Little Theatre when he was about 3!  Angela interviewed him from backstage.  Look at this pic and try to remember the costumes you see on the rack.  You'll see some of them tonight at DPAC:

The show is well written, (duh, it's Rodgers and Hammerstein, how can it not be?)  it's fun, and it's great for kids of all ages, even those adult kids like me.  Bring your daughter or son and let them dress up as little princesses or princes, and maybe you'll get to glimpse the glass slippers beforehand. That's part of what makes Cinderella so magical: seeing so many little kids become so enthralled. 

I can't believe how excited I am for this show to open at DPAC tonight.  I hope you go and see it and have a magical time, too. 

Cinderella opens tonight at DPAC for 8 great shows. Seats start at $35. Click here for more info and to buy tickets:

Cinderella at DPAC

Alli

Like Alli Morgan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter

Family Night at the Railhawks

It's shameful to admit, but I've never actually been to a Carolina Railhawks game before.

We're a family of soccer lovers.  My husband is European, his son plays soccer in Apex, every Saturday and many Sundays during the season, the TV is on NBC Sports to watch the Premiere League games.  The drone of sports fans chanting, singing, and yelling at their players has become commonplace in our home.  I have no idea why we've never gone to see the Railhawks play, but this past Saturday night, that changed.

It was my step son's 8th birthday gift:  we went to the game and he got to take a friend.  I was impressed with WakeMed Soccer Park: it's fun, every seat is awesome, and they offer pretty solid, local concessions. Local restaurants supply the food; you can choose a local beer from their selections.  You can buy local ice cream, even! The Railhawks really know how to do the local thing--which is also awesome.

It may have also been one of the greatest nights of this kid's life.  He spent the entire game standing up and cheering.

 I even learned that yeah, it's raining...but that's not going to stop a game.  Be prepared to get wet.
 There were kids everywhere and people were having a great time, even in the pouring rain. Because, apparently, soccer doesn't get rained out.  You push on.  No rain delays here!

We had so much fun, we may just adopt the Railhawks as our home team.  Sure, they lost to Tampa Bay, but that's ok. After all, the Premiere League is pretty far away.  We can't wait to go back.


Check out the Railhawks' schedule for yourself here and plan a fun family night.  It's cheap fun and you're supporting local businesses!

Alli

The Creative People in Raleigh Are Trying to Kill Us, But We're Cool With It.

There are so many creative people in the Triangle, it blows my mind.  Every time I think that every restaurant or bar idea's been done and done again, someone comes up with a new idea.


For example, there's BREW.  That's a coffee bar, of course.  BUT! They also sell beer.  Get it?  Brew.  Sorry, but that's genius.

Then, there's the people who came up with the idea of not just a food truck rodeo in downtown Durham, but a breakfast food truck rodeo, on a Friday morning.  Again, I know it's a simple, easy idea.  But it never would have crossed my mind.  It, too, is awesome.

That brings me to Bittersweet.

Since I read in Triangle Business Journal it was opening, I have wanted to go to Bittersweet, but I've been joking that all this creativity in the Triangle is killing me because I want to try it all--but no one needs that much dessert, beer, cake, craft beer, fancy food, etc.  It's on Martin Street in downtown Raleigh, right across from another of my favorite spots, The Mecca.  When you walk in, Bittersweet reminds you of a 30s or 40s diner:  dark wood, marble bar top, black and white tile.  Here's a shot down the bar:

I also really loved how they set up the taps:

My husband and I took a seat at the bar and ordered amazing desserts--the Key Lime Tequila parfait with Cointreau whipped cream and an awesome tasting peach cobbler thing--all I know was that it had cinnamon-sugar doughnuts, maple ice cream, warm peaches and candied bacon on it.  The desserts are awesome and different, and the drinks were pretty great, too.

A peek at the menu:

Our bartender was Louis, a young guy who knows a ton--he was clearly not just a bartender but a mixologist.  We struck up a conversation with him and learned that this Sunday night, Bittersweet is showing The Goonies on their big screen TV, and they're making themed drinks to go with it. And, here's where I'm going with the creativity thing--I would never think to do something like that, let alone make themed food and drink for it.  Louis was trying out the Chocolate Explosion.  Know that scene where Chunk eats all the Chocolate Explosion ice cream while locked in the freezer?  Well, Louis was trying to concoct a drink to go with that scene.  Other folks at Bittersweet were working on drinks, too, and (I think!) there will be themed food, too.  They'll be showing the movie behind Bruce Willis.  Yep, I know that sounds weird, but check this out--there's a big screen TV back there:

Bruce wants you to Pie Hard.

So, yeah.  Head to Bittersweet on Sunday night at 9.  Watch Goonies, eat dessert.  Mama Fratelli would be happy with that--we think.  And, even if you miss the movie, go after dinner one night.  It's yummy, and Louis is awesome--ask him about his Chocolate Explosion.

Alli

A Rooftop View

I got married last month.  But getting to that day, as many brides and grooms know, can be a huge pain.

For starters, you have to find a place to have your reception.  So, we went looking for and at every venue we could find or think of in Raleigh.  As a result, we got to check out a lot of places we most likely never would have gone before.  We were in restaurants, private clubs, parks, you name it.  And then, thanks to the magic of Google, we found an awesome spot.

We finally settled on the Grand Ballroom, which is the top floor of the Capital Club building. Don't confuse it with the Capital City Club, which is on top of the Wells Fargo Building downtown.  No, this is in the Capital Club building--where Capital Club 16 is--at Martin and Salisbury Streets.  It's a renovated ballroom from the 1930s with panoramic views!  Who even knew it was there?  I certainly didn't, and I make it a mission to visit all the local merchants I can downtown in Raleigh.

While you're not on top of a 30 story building, but instead a 13 story one, it's amazing to see the Oak City from up there.  Sunset came and was perfect on the day--and then night time, where the city was lit
up.

The place is truly a little hidden gem that is used for events--something that I never would have known was in my city unless I was getting married.  How many other awesome places are there like this out there?  I bet there are many in the Triangle.  Do you have a favorite?  Comment and tell us!

Unfortunately, since professional photos take forever to come in, I can't show you the sunset or even the skyline from our day.  Hopefully you'll one day get to see those panoramic views for yourself--or you've got a hidden treasure place to explore yourself!

Alli

Eat Lunch and Help Your Neighbors: It's a Win-Win!

For years, I've heard of the Tammy Lynn Center. It was the charity that Band Together chose last year, I've heard of other local events to benefit them, too. But I've never taken the time to actually find out about them and find out what they do. Guess what? They are amazing. They are more than just "the charity that Band Together picked last year."

The Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities is amazing. They do so much good work- and they help children and adults all over Wake County.  I went and toured their facility a week or so ago- they do so many amazing things there. They help families with disabled kids-whether it's helping families caring for their loved ones at home by providing respite care, to giving up to 70 adults homes on their Raleigh campus, or taking kids at risk for developmental disabilities and getting them ready for main-stream kindergarten, or making sure families in Wake County who are caring for their disabled loved ones at home get what they call respite care-someone from the TLC comes in and helps out so that families can get on with the things they need to like errands.  They provide therapy for kids and adults in their care, too. They do so much to provide the people in their care a normal life. 

Won't you help the Tammy Lynn Center?

Luckily, you don't have to go out of your way. All you have to do is eat lunch! Visit any one of the 26 Raleigh area Jersey Mike's Subs between now and June 25th. Make a small donation to the Tammy Lynn Center, and get a coupon for a future visit.  It's that easy! Eat lunch, help your neighbors. Do good while eating good food. Who's in? 'Cuz I know I am.

Check out the video of my visit to the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilites here:

http://youtu.be/xRNIo7YCE80

Do good at Jersey Mike's! Now 'til June 25. 

Alli

Bruce Springsteen Review

What is there to say about Bruce Springsteen that hasn't already been said?

I mean, it's like the guy isn't real.  When I'm 64 (and losing my hair, many years from now, dah-dah-dah-dah-dah), will I be:

*Crowd surfing??
*Engaging Tom Morello (who was filling in for Little Steven, who is in Norway filming his Netflix TV show) in a scorching guitar duel on "The Ghost of Tom Joad"?
*Leaning back in the crowd and letting them catch you for selfies?
*Sweating so hard your shirt is soaked just 40 minutes into the show?
*Playing a 2 hour and 45 minute show with no intermission?

No.  Of course I won't.  Because there is only one Bruce Springsteen - who continues to set the bar so high, it is awe-inspiring to watch.  The set list was terrific at PNC Arena last night, peppered with hits, sign requests, and an onstage appearance during "Dancing In The Dark" by Bruce's daughter Jessica, who attends Duke and was in the front row.  How cool must it be to watch your mom (Patti Scialfa) AND dad jammin their guitars in front of you, in front of 15,000 people?  That makes your accountant dad look even uncooler.

2 hours and 45 minutes is actually short for a Bruuuuuce show (he played 3 hours and 20 minutes in Charlotte two shows ago and 4+ hours (!) earlier this year in Australia and New Zealand) but it's far more impressive than just about anyone pulls off these days.

He's still the boss, applesauce.

Foster
Radio 96.1

Win a Home Makeover--Be Amazed

Yes, that's a real pic of my real bedroom and those are my real slippers next to the bed.  We moved into our house two years ago and have done NOTHING with our bedroom.  It takes us forever to decide to buy something.  In fact, this furniture took us a year to find, agree on, and buy.  We aren't risk takers really.

But then I met Certa Pro painters, and they introduced me to Roger Hazard, formerly of Sell This House on A&E.  Roger is an interior designer who knows his stuff and he offered to come to Raleigh,  make our bedroom over, and film it for his new show, Roger That!

How could I say no?  I've spent a lifetime watching Trading Spaces and Sell this House and every other home transformation show there is.  Roger and Chris, his partner, are going to be at the Southern Ideal Home Show at the State Fairgrounds this weekend, so while they were in town, they came to do my bedroom.

This past Wednesday, a production truck showed up. There were like 5 people inside, including one guy named Dave who never seemingly got to leave the truck.

I would put these photos side by side but I am not that fancy.  Sorry.

My cat, Tim, who hates everyone for the most part, loved the crew and hung out all day both days. My other cat, Charlie, who loves everyone, HATED the crew and hid for two days.  I don't understand cats.

A blurry pic of the crew petting Tim, who lapped it up.

We were kicked out of the house a lot so that we didn't see some of the DIY projects that Roger and Chris were doing.  When I came home on Wednesday, Certa Pro was there, so I knew painting was afoot! While the painting went on upstairs, Chris chatted with me about my room before hand.  He asked why I chose what I did, why I kept the bedding I did, etc.  I was NOT allowed upstairs, and neither was my fiance, which worked out because he was away on business.

 Then, I made both Roger and Chris pose with me outside my house for posterity.  But that was the extent of my time inside my house on Wednesday.

We stayed in a hotel on Wednesday night, and were basically kicked out on Thursday, too, so everything could be finished.   We were finally allowed back in on Thurday night around 6pm.  For the first time in my life, I am SPEECHLESS at how awesome it looked.  

Amazing, right?!?!?!  See the full gallery of before and after pics here--I've included pictures of my living room and my fiance's office because they pulled our white chair from our living room and the Union Jack pillow is from my fiance's office, which is the green room in the before pictures.

The bed is from Roger and Chris's own furniture company, which, BTW--is made in the USA in North Carolina. The lamps were ours, but they put new shades on them and used fabric to make them custom.  They also brought in one of my favorite vintage radios I've had in the living room and a print my sister in law did.  (She's an artist, it's the one above the white chair.)  

This was an amazing experience.  I am so excited about it and I want you to have it, too.  Click THIS LINK and register to win your own home makeover from Roger and Chris--you have to enter by 8pm on Saturday 4/12, and you've gotta be within 15 miles of the Southern Ideal Home Show at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.  

Roger and Chris are at the Southern Ideal Home Show all weekend.  Go by and see one of their Q & As, or just say hello.  They're GREAT guys, and the production team will be there too.  I wonder if they'll let Dave out of the truck?  

I'll stop by there Sunday 11am-1pm if ya wanna come say hey.

Follow Roger on Twitter, like him on Facebook and follow on Pinterest.

Follow Chris on Twitter and on Facebook  

Visit Roger + Chris online  at RogerandChris.com 

And, do yourself a favor and watch this commercial Chris made for their furniture company when they lived in Austin, TX.  It's a few years old, but it's just freaking hysterical:

Chris and His Cat Talk About Decades

Be Cool and Check Out the Full Frame Film Festival This Weekend in Durham

You know that the folks behind Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival mean business when they open their annual event with The Kid Stays in the Picture. The 2002 film about legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans may be the most entertaining documentary ever made.

Full Frame is underway now, but it isn't too late to get tickets and check out some of the classic documentaries and films making their world premier including Sex(Ed) the Movie. It explores how we (the TV generation) learned about the birds and the bees through pop culture. That may be the movie I'm most looking forward to seeing. It makes it's debut on Thursday afternoon at 4:00, but Full Frame dedicates its final day to awards and encores of the festival's most popular films.

The real highlight this year is a panel celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hoop Dreams. Director Steve James (who is the subject of this year's Full Frame Tribute) will be on hand along with the movie's subjects Shelia Agee and Arthur Agee Jr. to discuss the movie's lasting impact.

You can find out more and get tickets to any movie screening at the festival by clicking here.

D

Behind the Scenes with DPAC on Broadway

Earlier this year, I went on a super-secret trip with the folks from DPAC to New York.  They were getting their 2014-2015 SunTrust Broadway Series ready.  But before it was going to be announced, ABC 11 was doing a special on all the upcoming shows, and I got to come along for the ride along with my colleague Brian Freeman from News Radio 680 WPTF.  We were going to interview all kinds of people who have North Carolina ties, but are a BIG deal on Broadway.  People like Terrence Mann, and Charlotte D'Amboise, who are basically Broadway legends.  People who have multiple Tony Awards for their work, like costume designer and Raleigh native William Ivey Long.  People like Martin Charnin, a guy who is one "O" away from his EGOT.  (That's abbreviation for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.) The most powerful female producer on Broadway, Daryl Roth.  I have interviewed scores of celebrities in my lifetime, but suddenly, with all of these powerful, successful people around me...

...I was scared.

I went into overdrive, prepping to talk to these people, all of whom now have shows that will be hitting the road and coming to DPAC in their 2014-2015 season.  I watched Angela Hampton from ABC 11 interview William Ivey Long backstage at Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella:

The guy is fascinating.  He spent the first three years of his life LIVING in the stage-right dressing room at the Raleigh Little Theatre.  He does the Lost Colony on the Outer Banks every year, and gets super famous Broadway folks to do it with him.  He designed ALL of the sumptuous costumes you see in that pic.  He is also, by the way, hysterical, sweet, and incredibly interesting.  Cinderella is part of DPAC's shows next year, and it's truly magical.  Here's a shot of Jennie Lanning from DPAC, me, Angela Hampton from ABC 11, and Brian Freeman from News Radio 680 WPTF seeing the show that night:

The stage at Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella before the show at the Broadway Theatre.

Here's where Brian and I set up shop to interview these people.  It was at the theater in Times Square where the Lion King is:

If you watch Good Morning America, look at the bottom of the window.  There's ABC News and their ticker.

Here's a better view.  It was Super Bowl weekend--yes, that's the Lombardi Trophy over there.

While I waited for the people I was interviewing to arrive, Rachel from DPAC snuck me into the theater.  I got to make my Broadway debut!

Well, okay, no one was interested.  Like, at all.  But still!  A Broadway stage!

Now, I've always sort of been a Broadway nerd.  My parents took me to see the touring production of Annie in like 1980.  Click the link and hear me talk to Martin Charnin, the guy who licensed the Annie comic from the newspaper in the 70s and turned it into a smash.  He tries to goad me into singing "It's a Hard Knock Life."  How can I sing that for him?!? I'm no Andrea McArdle (come on, Broadway nerds, I know you get that joke!) Plus, the guy has a Grammy, a Tony, two Emmys, a freakin' Peabody, and two Drama Desk awards.    Annie is at DPAC December 9-14th.  Not gonna lie, Miss Hannigan.  I can't wait.  

Alli and Brian with Martin Charnin

Motown is coming, it's all about Berry Gordy and his rise to fame.  But did you know that the guy who put it on stage went to Duke, was pre-med, was sitting on the steps on East Campus one day and was like, "uh, I want to be on Broadway?"  So he quit the pre-med program at  Duke, and graduated with honors.  He went to Alvin Ailey (school of dance that African-Americans are known for) and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.  He was so happy to see us that he told Brian and me he wants to come visit us on opening night.  Motown: The Musical is known as a jukebox musical in that it uses the whole Motown catalog.  It's at DPAC February 17-22 of next year.  

We spoke with Eleanor Bergstein, the woman who wrote the movie Dirty Dancing and turned it into a West End smash in London.  That's coming to DPAC with more 60s music than was even in the movie.  It'll be in town September 16-21.

We spoke with everyone who was anyone.  It was truly a whirlwind day.  In addition to the folks above, we chatted with: 

•  Daryl Roth and her producing partner.  A woman who has SEVEN Pulitzer-Prize winning plays under her belt.  She produced Kinky Boots, and Cyndi Lauper wrote all the music.  It's a pretty awesome musical based on the British movie about a guy who wants to save his family shoe factory and turns it into a place that makes boots for drag queens.  Check out Kinky Boots at DPAC March 10-15.
• Laurence Connnor, the Englishman who has helped re-stage Phantom of the Opera.  I got him to do a John Lennon-like accent.  My fiance Neil is from the same area as he has worked, so we chatted about that.  See Phantom at DPAC October 8-19.

Adam Kaplan, the 21 year old who just got his big break and is appearing in Newsies.  You know Newsies.  If you don't, just Google Christian Bale and Newsies.  You'll be reminded of the singing newspaper boys right away.  It's now a smash musical, and will be at DPAC June 2-7 2015.

Lastly, we spoke with Charlotte D'Amboise and Terrence Mann.  I guess we saved the best for last, for real. These guys are basically Broadway royalty.  Terrence created the role of Rum Tum Tugger in Cats years ago, he made Javert in Les Mis.  He WAS Beast in Beauty and the Beast.  And now, he stars in Pippin.  But!  Did you also know he's a professor of musical theater at Western Carolina University?  That he and Charlotte, who has been Roxie Hart in Chicago, has starred in Sweet Charity, and who met her husband while they both were in Cats, have started a camp for kids in  North Carolina who want to get on stage?  It's called Triple Arts.  They teach you to be a triple threat:  acting, dancing, and singing.  They came to Raleigh in February and had tryouts for locals.  They have strong North Carolina ties, and click the link to hear Terrence talk about how North Carolina saved his life.  

Terrence Mann and Charlotte D'Amboise on NC, Pippin, and Triple Arts

They both star in Pippin, which will be at DPAC May 12-17 2015. See what their camp for kids is all about by visiting triplearts.com.

DPAC has so many shows coming, it's an amazing season.  And, that's why they're calling it their "I Love New York" season.  Shows that have been tried and true over time will visit us in the Triangle next year, and ones that are new and fresh will be here, too.  As a Broadway nerd at heart, I can't wait.  

Get season tickets now for DPAC's 2014-2015 SunTrust Broadway series at DPACNC.com

Alli

Here are some more pics from the trip:

shhh!  Quiet!

It was cool to see this cape on stage later.  I made sure to be on the lookout for it.

William Ivey Long takes Angela into the "closet" where all the costumes are stored

The horses for Cinderella's carriage.  They are stored above the stage until show time.

They sent a limo for us at the airport.  Good idea in theory...bad idea if you're me, a person who gets car sick super easy.  Blurgh.

It was fancy, though.  And pretty ballin'.

A St. Baldrick's Day Thank You

People of the Triangle, thank you.  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!


Because of your generosity this past Saturday on Glenwood South, there's now more than $280 thousand dollars in St. Baldrick's coffers.  That's $280 thousand dollars to try to end childhood cancers.  You gave of your hearts, of your hair, and selflessly.  We've heard your stories, we've seen some of your tears.  For the last 9 years, Foster and I have been proud to be a part of the day, emceeing, talking to people, hearing stories and being truly amazed by how much money has been raised by so many people.  We're often blown away by small children raising tens of thousands of dollars all on their own, simply because they want to help other children who aren't as fortunate as they are.  When we meet those kids, we're often reminded that as adults, many of us are not that selfless.  And it's partly why we love being a part of the Glenwood South event every year.

Two hundred and eighty THOUSAND DOLLARS.  In one day.  We look forward to beating that number next year.  In the meantime, check out some pictures from Saturday here.  We can't wait to help the Triangle go bald again!


Alli

Like Alli Morgan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter

RIP Kelly Holland

In the spring of 1993, I was a junior at Syracuse University and my friend and I had part-time gigs at local radio stations.  One day, I was visiting Scooter in his studio at Syracuse rock station 95x when he waved a CD single in the air.  "Dude", he said excitedly.  "You've got to hear this.  It's gonna be the song of the summer."  The song was "Peace Pipe" by a band called Cry of Love.

Fast forward 10 years later, and I'm a newbie at 96rock when a guy by the name of Warren Hall sets up a meeting with me.  Warren had just started a burgeoning website called zspotlight.com, and he brought along a guy who played in a local cover band called Crush to discuss an event we were promoting together.  He introduced himself as Kelly Holland, and I couldn't quite figure out where I knew that name from.  "Kelly used to play in a band called Cry of Love", Warren mentioned.  My mouth literally dropped.

Kelly Holland had one of the great voices in rock, and Cry of Love was a band loaded with talent - other members moved on to Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Crowes - but Kelly was only with the band for one album.  It was, by far, the band's biggest album, and by measure of Billboard charting ("Peace Pipe" was a #1 Billboard mainstream rock hit), Cry of Love was one of the most successful bands to come out of Raleigh.

Over the years, he played in various local bands including drums & vocals for Crush, the most well-known Triangle cover band.  Those that got a chance to see him were treated to one of Raleigh's best.

Kelly Holland died of a severe abdominal infection early this morning at the age of 52.

Here is the obituary from the News & Observer's David Menconi:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/24/3650673/kelly-holly-lead-voice-of-cry.html

Rest in Peace.

Foster
P.R.O. (Petty RadioHead Officer)

NC Auto Expo Fun!

The NC International Auto Expo was held at the State Fairgrounds over the weekend, and undoubtedly got off to a rough start on opening day Thursday thanks to a little winter storm that made its way through our area.

Fortunately by the time the weekend rolled around, folks were sick of cabin fever and ready to get out of the house to see some cars!

It's one of the best family events around, as kids love to get in the cars and take pictures while the grown ups ooh and aah over some of the finest luxury cars seen anywhere like Ferraris and a $315,000 Aston Martin - shaken, not stirred.

The NC International Auto Expo is also a huge automobile showroom, with 2014 and brand new 2015 cars and trucks available to see and test drive.

Radio 96.1 and DJ Collin Y hosted car-themed Jeopardy on Saturday morning - overall, an awesome event!

Foster

Radio 96.1

Billy Joel Concert Review

I'll admit - I'm a big, big Billy Joel fan.

There are some artists of which you know the hits, and some you know most of the catalog - and I'm pretty intimate with most Billy Joel albums.  Having seen him in concert numerous times over the years, I know the general drill - you'll usually get a high energy greatest hits set, with a spot or two for a rare nugget for the hardcore fans.

Now that Billy has been at it for 40 years, he's made it clear he doesn't just want to play the hits anymore - and that was made evident from the get go at PNC Arena last night with the opener "Miami 2017".  The first 45 minutes of the show was filled with great moments of joy for huge fans (otherwise known as bathroom breaks for casual fans).  This included songs like "Summer, Highland Falls" (my favorite Billy Joel song), "Zanzibar", and "Sometimes A Fantasy".

As I predicted on Twitter, Billy (who has claimed the Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan inspired him to pursue a career in music) played a Beatles cover last night, on the 50th anniversary of that show - in fact he played three Beatles songs.  "Can't Buy Me Love", "The Night Before", and "She Loves You" all sounded fantastic.

As usual, the audience was bombarded with hits in the last hour.  I don't think you'll ever see a Billy Joel show lacking "Movin' Out", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Piano Man", "You May Be Right", "It's Still Rock n Roll To Me", or "Only The Good Die Young" (though he oddly swapped out "Big Shot" for "We Didn't Start the Fire").

Billy's voice was in better form than it's been in many years.  While in the recent past he's used background singers for the high notes, this time he was nailing even the most challenging of them.  Radio 96.1 and DJ Collin Y hosted Billy Joel karaoke before the show, making it a memorable evening from start to finish.

Foster
P.R.O. (Petty RadioHead Officer)
Radio 96.1