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Putting The 'Old' In Solid Gold

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By DAVID SOMMER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2008

Updated: 02/24/2008 09:11 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Smiles abounded at a standing-room-only benefit concert for the CARES Senior Health Center that had toes tapping Saturday at River Ridge High School.

More than 900 concertgoers contributed almost $5,000 for the free health clinic at the Claude Pepper Senior Center on Van Buren Street, said Lee Fenton, the senior health center's director.

The annual event, dubbed the Bright Star Senior Talent Show, features "American Idol"-style voting by audience members. The three top vote-getters among the more than one dozen singers and instrumentalists who performed Saturday will compete next month at the Senior Idol finals at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Master of Ceremonies Bill Rinaldo, the 2006 Viewer's Choice Senior Idol winner, warmed the crowd with corny, albeit somewhat off-color, jokes and a soaring rendition of "You Raise Me Up."

The applause grew louder a few numbers later when 81-year-old Lydia "Mimi" Tanne managed an a cappella rendition of "Cabaret" after the sound system providing her background music went down mid-tune.

When the 90-minute concert was over, the audience - mostly seniors - poured out of the hall to cast their ballots for their favorite performers. The results were not available at press time.
New Port Richey hair stylists Jessica Bowman and Pat Tuccio said they came out to support retired fellow stylist George Durham, who played the song "Going Home" on clarinet.

"I think the show was excellent," Tuccio said.

"I was really surprised at the talent," Bowman said.

Marie Raponi, who came to the concert with a contingent of friends from the Sunny Brook Condominium in New Port Richey, said the performers were "pretty good for old folks."

Linda St. Cyr, who made the trip west from Zephyrhills with niece Amber Salinas, said the pair made sure to vote for their pastor from the Community Chapel of Zephyrhills, Marie Johnson.

St. Cyr said she was moved by Johnson's rendition of "That Old Woman is Dead," a song about an alcoholic who is born again through faith in the Lord.

Danny Gildea's green Irish eyes were shining and smiling as she waited for friends outside the packed concert hall.

"I enjoyed every one of them," Gildea said.

Friend Ina Frisino walked up and said it was hard to decide whom to vote for.

"I thought I made up my mind, and then they kept getting better," she said.

The pair said the show was more than worth the $5 admission charge that doubles as a donation to the Senior Health Clinic.

"Where else can old people go for $5?" said the 75-year-old Frisino.

"You may think I'm old but I don't think so," responded Gildea, who said she is 80. "I'm young at heart," she told her friend.

"You're just a big baby," Frisino shot back.

Another friend, Grace Colberg, said she liked Rinaldo, who finished the show with a rousing version of "Let Freedom Ring."

"The emcee was great. I voted for him, too," Colberg said.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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