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Guys Without Ties play at Boardman Park
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.From left, Rachel Norton from Boardman, Debra Hilbert from Youngstown, Denise Hilbert and Kathy Wire both from Struthers dance to the music of Guys Without Ties, who played at Music in the Park on June 14.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Sophia and Olivia LaCivita from Boardman came to enjoy the music with their grandfather, Larry on June 14.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Jane Vergallito from Poland and her granddaughters Katie (left) and Veronica (right) from Pittsburgh never miss Music in the Park when they are in town. They enjoy coming to the event in Boardman Park to listen to music and dance.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.James Giles (right) from Youngstown giving balloon animals to Ashton Ramsdale from Boardman and Giada Campana from Girard at the Boardman Park's Music in the Park event.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Guys Without Ties played an excellent show at Music in the Park, located at Boardman Park, on June 14. Their music reached family and friends, all who had a wonderful time listening to their broad range of musical tunes.
By ALISA MANNA
Music at the Park turned rock and soul with Youngstown’s Guys Without Ties. The eight-piece band has performed at Boardman Park for more than 10 years and returned June 14 to play a variety of songs from different eras.
Guys Without Ties formed 20 years ago with bassist Dale Janus, trumpeter Bill Hrusovsky and Tom Abruzzi after they decided to make music when not at their day jobs.
Throughout their 20 years together, the band cycled through 25 musicians, but the current lineup includes vocalist Lea Nesbit, guitarist Jonathan Wallace, drummer Randy Tinny, keyboardist Jeff Feuerwerker, trombonist DJ Colella and saxophonist Tom Batholomew. During the day, Guys Without Ties consists of music education and telecommunication majors, electricians and even a martial artist.
Though the band primarily specializes in classic rock and Motown music, Guys Without Ties plays plenty of newer songs and add horn parts to them.
“We play whatever people want to hear,” Janus said.
Audience members can even request songs for the band to learn and add to its repertoire. Most songs cycle in and out of the band’s play list over time, but Janus reassures there is plenty of material for each performance.
“Over the years, we’ve probably done 150 to 175 songs,” the bassist said. “But we play about 40 songs a night.”
Guys Without Ties developed a following during its career. James Giles from Youngstown said he typically sees the band play at Boardman Park. The entertainer, also known as Slim Jim, enjoyed himself by dancing with other audience members and making balloon animals for children.
Larry LaCivita from Boardman and Jane Vergallito, from Poland, both brought their grandchildren to the Music at the Park event.
“My twin granddaughters called me up and asked me to take them to the park,” LaCivita said. “They wanted to come dance and listen to the music.”
Vergallito has been bringing her granddaughters to the park since they were younger.
“Whenever they’re in town from Pittsburgh they like to come for the music,” she said.
Music at the Park events are every Thursday at Boardman Park and feature a variety of musical artists and styles. Additional information is available at www.boardmanpark.com.