I arrived early on Friday afternoon to enjoy the sound check and rehearsal, and then I joined Delcor’s Deline family (Phyllis, Rhonda, and Rodney), Rudy and The Angels Band, and some of the evening’s performers for an early dinner at a local restaurant.

During this time, I was able to catch up with Canada’s Dave Battah, who over the past decade, has made a name for himself with his truly uncanny portrayal of Rod Stewart. In fact,  fellow “legend” ETA Shawn Klush ( currently one of the world’s top professional Elvis tribute artists, and no slouch himself when it comes to a convincing tribute) tells me that he considers  Dave’s portrayal of Rod Stewart to be “downright scary” as he is so uncannily like the real Rod Stewart.  

Dave, who hails from Hamilton, Ontario, not far from Toronto,  told me that he was a singer with a rock band originally but had so many comments about his visual and vocal  likeness to Rod Stewart that he decided to “go for it” and develop a tribute act --ultimately impressing none other than the members of Rod Stewart’s band, whom he met at a local venue and who took him backstage at the Toronto Skydome to meet Rod (unfortunately, they missed meeting each other by mere seconds, but  word is that Rod is well aware of Dave’s tribute and highly impressed).

Over the past decade,  Dave Battah has performed up to 200 shows a year  throughout Canada and the US, including appearances at Legends in Concert and at Memories Theatre, as well as performing in  legends-based productions in Europe,  the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.  He’s also been featured in an  A & E documentary and he’s earned his reputation as being one of the best Rod Stewart tributes you’ll ever see.  

As “himself” off stage, Dave  is humble, quiet, funny, down-to-earth, just plain likeable, and I really enjoyed talking to him – but, on stage, he transforms into “Rod” and his performance is truly spell-binding. I was definitely looking forward to seeing Dave’s tribute to Rod Stewart as part of the two evenings worth of great entertainment that was to come.

Soon it was show-time, and back at the venue, I joined  the room full of enthusiastic fans who had arrived to take in the weekend’s entertainment -- and, so the show began with  Rudy Salerno and the Angels Band taking the stage  accompanied by dynamic vocalist Kathy Martorino (who has also performed as part of the Rivington Station vocal group at many top Elvis tribute shows).   

This year’s cast:

Victor J. Hanson- comedian and impressionist  
Comedian/impressionist and musician  Victor J. Hanson endeared himself to the crowd instantly and outdid himself once again, both with fine singing and guitar playing (Love Is In The Air),  clever humour which had people roaring with laughter (Garth Baldy, Elmer Fudd singing the Beatles, Jimmy Stewart as Frank Sinatra, The Who on helium, Howey Mandel on Deal or No Deal) along with his superb trademark improvisational repartee with audience members – including Frank and Margaret, and Bruce and Susan, who found themselves not only enjoying the show from their seats, but suddenly gamely entertaining the audience from the stage.  In addition to his regular appearances, Victor J, who has performed at top venues throughout North America,  has been busy cruising the high seas with Holland America Cruise lines the past few years and entertaining in the corporate world also.  Judging from the audience reaction, Oshawa was thrilled to have Victor J back again!  Check www.victorj.com for details.

Ray Anthony - as Ritchie Valens
As “Ritchie Valens” the multi-talented   Ray Anthony came out on stage to thunderous applause and almost instantly  had the audience  up on their feet dancing and singing along to songs such as We Belong Together, Boney Maroney, Summertime Blues, Oh Donna, and La Bamba -- demonstrating yet again why he has been endorsed by the Valens Estate, Ritchie ’s family members and Ritchie’s girlfriend Donna.   Ray Anthony, originally from Toronto, has performed throughout North America in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Branson, Myrtle Beach, and beyond, with Legends in Concert and with many 50's-60's productions.   Ray is always a favourite with the Oshawa crowds who just can’t get enough of him --in fact, many fans in the audience had traveled for several hours to the show to catch him while he was in back Ontario for a few days.   

Apart from his  riveting tribute to Ritchie Valens, “Sting” Ray Anthony is also a phenomenal guitar player,  singer and entertainer who was “born to rock and roll”  – and he is currently performing “as himself”  at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre in Branson, with many of the original rock and roll legends who appeared on Dick Clark’s famous American Bandstand shows.  Be sure to catch “Sting” Ray Anthony in Branson.  For more details, check www.dickclarksabbranson.com

Tyler Anthony - guest guitarist
This time Ray had a little surprise for us, and sure enough, “Ray Junior” better known as Tyler Anthony, stepped on stage, making his debut  to join the band and to  play guitar for his Dad during a rousing version of “La Bamba” – earning loud applause and roars of approval from the audience.  Well done, Tyler, you did a great job!!  

Anthony Von - Michael Buble & Elvis
No stranger to Elvis fans in North America, award-winning ETA, Anthony Von, demonstrated his versatility as he performed first as the elegant and charming  Michael Buble, entertaining the crowd with suave and debonaire versions of Home and Save The Last Dance, and joining with vocalist Kathy Martorino in a delightful duet. Later, in the second set, changing from black suit and tie to white jumpsuit, Anthony was back  as “Elvis,” delivering  songs such as CC Rider, Little Less Conversation, Kentucky Rain and Love Me  – in addition to handing out  Hawaiian leis, and interacting with the audience.    Anthony will be headlining at several Elvis Fests this summer and will be in Memphis during Elvis Week also.  Details: www.anthonyvon.com

Quisha Wint Brown - Tina Turner
Quisha Brown is an energetic and effervescent Tina Turner tribute act from the Toronto area and she  wowed the crowd with her powerhouse renditions of Tina standards such as Mountain High, What’s Love Got to Do With It, Proud Mary, Disco Inferno, and Simply the Best.   A former Canadian Idol finalist, and a talented songwriter also, Quisha ably captured the gutsy persona of Tina Turner with on-stage banter, striking dance steps, and those  Tina Turner legs -- all the while delivering a thoroughly captivating performance.   

Dave Battah - Rod Stewart
When Dave Battah as Rod Stewart made his entrance you could hear a gasp of amazement from those in the audience who were seeing him for the first time.  Dave, who always delivers an energetic, fun, and engaging performance with fancy footwork, uncanny facial expressions, and typical “ rowdy Rod” shenanigans jumped into the audience, danced with the lucky ladies, schmoozed with fans at various tables, and had a slew of volunteers run to the stage for a mean version of “Hot Legs” (with Tina Turner joining them at one point!).  

Dave, who  has a remarkable vocal similarity to Rod Stewart, also included some of the beautiful and romantic American Songbook classics such as I Only Have Eyes for You, along with favourites such as Maggie May, Some Guys Have All the Luck, and Do You Think I’m Sexy.

With his amazing likeness to Rod Stewart and his on-stage persona and vocal similarity, Dave Battah’s Rod Stewart tribute is not to be missed!  

Angelia Kelly  made a return guest appearance “country style” to sing The Only One and I Wanna Know Where Love Is.  Rodney Deline as MC kept the show moving smoothly, ably assisted by Rhonda Deline who did double duty as stage hand and “Deal or No Deal” model!  Kudos also to Rudy Salerno and The Angels (Rudy Salerno, Lenny Feldman, Dave Bailey, Gene Falvo, and to vocalist Kathy Martorino.

For the traditional grand finale, the entire cast and band, along with producer, Phyllis Deline, re-assembled on stage to be introduced  – each receiving resounding cheers from the audience. Kudos, of course,  to  Phyllis Deline for all her hard work in putting this fantastic show together.

Phyllis,  a devoted Elvis fan, was also thrilled to receive a beautiful new Elvis Presley collector’s edition picture book presented to her on stage by Victor J.  

And then, passing the microphone down the line, everyone on stage sang a rousing rendition of Old Time Rock and Roll, and took their well-deserved final bows as the curtain went down. Congratulations to all involved for two wonderful evenings of good old Rock and Roll and lots of fun.  


                                                      Carol@ladyluckmusic.com

The theme of  Delcor Entertainment’s sold out 13th annual “legends” shows held recently in Oshawa, Ontario was “Legions of Rock and Roll” (a nod to the fact that the show had switched from a theatre venue to Vegas table-style seating in a large legion hall).  Once again, the most enthusiastic audiences for miles around were treated to  two  evenings of stellar entertainment provided by A+ professional tribute artists who have graced the stages of Las Vegas, Branson, Pigeon Forge, Toronto, and beyond - including the phenomenal Dave Battah as Rod Stewart.   Read on

LEGIONS OF ROCK AND ROLL
Featuring DAVE BATTAH
AS ROD STEWART