Orlando, FL (Orleans) - Orleans, known best for its pop standards "
Still The One" and "
Dance With Me", still on radio and other media after 30 years - is alive, well and sporting a newly active summer calendar 34 years into its self-described 'work in progress' with the original members.
Larry Hoppen, Lance Hoppen and John Hall began playing together in 1972 with drummer Wells Kelly, who passed away in 1984. Now, in 2006 the group includes these 3 surviving Orleans originals, along with third and youngest Hoppen brother Lane plus Charlie Morgan, who drummed with Elton John's band for 14 years. This current version is the band on Orleans' first studio album in 10 years "Dancin' in the Moonlight", nationally released in May by indy label, Friday Music. The CD is now available at www.FridayMusic.com, on iTunes, other digital download sites and at music retailers.
Orleans' home base was Woodstock, NY from 1972 through the 1990s; the Northeastern United States was and still is the band's 'back yard'. In Summer 2006 the group plays high profile dates in New York and New England. July has Orleans in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont so far, including singing the National Anthem at a Red Sox home game and a free outdoor Boston concert with Felix Cavaliere's Rascals the next day. August sees Foxwoods Casino and more Massachusetts shows. September includes gigs in Denver, CO for the Red Cross, Rhode Island and New York.
Orleans shows include energetic performances of all the group's hits, many fan favorites and a healthy dose of songs from the new CD. The band also performs several of their hits in an upcoming segment of PBS' popular concert series "My Music", having just taped the 70s Soft Rock show in Nashville in May.
With John Hall currently running for a chance at a seat in the US House of Representatives (D, NY-19), former Orleans mate Dennis 'Fly' Amero - himself from Gloucester, MA - will often be filling the guitar/vocals slot usually taken by John. Fly's run with Orleans in the early 1980s, his lefty-upside-down-Hendrix style of playing and his vibrant stage presence bring authentic Orleans energy to the shows.
Depending on which show you see (listed below), the lineup is: Larry Hoppen - guitar, keyboards, vocals (lead voice on the band's hits) Lance Hoppen - bass, vocals John Hall - guitar, vocals Dennis 'Fly' Amero - guitar, vocals Lane Hoppen - keyboards, vocals Charlie Morgan - drums, percussion, vocals
For more, go to the band's website at www.orleansonline.com
