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Stylized singing takes center stage
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer Two days of music showcasing great harmony singing groups begins tonight at Rock Crusher Canyon. The weekend starts out with a hip, young acapella singing group and ends Saturday night with performances by the Coasters and the Original Drifters, both members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tonight's performance features Toxic Audio a five-member theatrical vocal band that entertains audiences with tight harmonies, comedy, vocal sound effects, and visual presentations. Toxic Audio began its singing career at the 1998 Orlando International Fringe Festival. From there, the group landed a gig at the Disney/MGM Studios where it spent a year performing six shows a day for crowds. Since then, the Toxins were named Best Pop Group in America by Ed McMahon's Next Big Star and were crowned national champions at the 2000 National Harmony Sweepstakes. Its repertoire mixes musical styles such as pop, jazz, hip-hop and country. Using only their voices, they can mimic drums, guitars and horns. The group will perform at the Garden Pavilion. Tickets are $18, including a buffet meal. Doors open at 5 p.m., buffet dinner from 6 until 8 and music from 7 until 9. Call 795-1313 for tickets or order through www.rockcrushercanyon.com. Tickets are also available at the Crystal River Mall and the Paddock Mall in Ocala. Free parking. Drifters, Coasters perform in amphitheaterThe music and food continues Saturday as The Coasters and Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters,two groups famous for early rhythm and blues and pop music, perform at the larger amphitheater venue at Rock Crusher Canyon. Bill Pinkney, who sang bass in the original lineup of the Drifters, now tours with the group known as Bill Pinkney and the Original Drifters. The group performs all of the band's famous songs. The Drifters most famous lead singers are Ben E. King, who recorded Stand By Me and Johnnie Moore. Both went on to successful solo careers and do not perform with The Original Drifters. In one form or another, The Drifters have consistently stayed true to their soul-stirring style of exceptional lead singers performing timeless teen-love ballads. According to rock historians, more than 50 singers have performed with the group since it began in 1953. The group has sold more than 200-million singles and 80-million albums in the United States. The Drifters' string of hits includes There Goes My Baby, Under the Boardwalk, On Broadway, Stand By Me, This Magic Moment and Save the Last Dance For Me. The Coasters, known for music and comedy, will perform the group's unique brand of music that is part parody, part singing and part comedy. Their songs include early R7B hits such ase Down in Mexico, Young Blood, Searching, "Poison Ivy", and Love Potion #9. The Coasters are in both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets are $15 in advance and $30 in advance for VIP tickets (include free parking, a meal and a reserved seat). Day of show prices are $20 for general admission and $35 for VIP. Call Rock Crusher Canyon at (352) 795-1313 or toll free at 1-877-RC-CANYON or order tickets through the Web site at www.rockcrushercanyon.com. Both VIP and general admission doors opens at 5 p.m., VIP dining from 5 to 7 and concert starts at 7 p.m. Parking for general admission is $5. -- Jorge Sanchez can be reached at 860-7313 or sanchez@sptimes.com.
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