43
The big moment is almost here for Youngstown Music Awards
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Left End, the glam-rock band that flirted with national fame in the ’70s, will reunite Sunday to headline the inaugural Youngstown Music Awards.
As a warm-up to the event, the band got together for a private show last weekend at Harley-Davidson Biketown in Austintown. With the help of several singers filling in for the late and legendary Dennis T. Menass, Left End was as tight as ever, belting out “Cyclone Rider,” “Bad Talkin’ Lady,” “Sunshine Girl” and more.
The YMAs will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday at Rodeo Music Hall, in Wedgewood Plaza, Austintown. The event will culminate with an online public vote that took place this summer. Winners in all 23 categories will receive plaques from a host of celebrity presenters.
Fast Freddie of WNCD-FM 93 will be the evening’s host. Presenters will include Viking Jim Algren of WNCD, DJ Stan of Star 94, 21 WFMJ-TV’s Jennifer Brindisi and Jasmine Monroe, former boxing champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Mick Mahan of Pat Benatar’s band, and Bill Bodine of Creative Bridge Coalition.
The event also will include performances by Youngstown bands from the past and present.
Performing will be JD Eicher; Paul Skowron of White Noise, backed by Deep Cuts, in a tribute to late drummer Allen Sillaman, who played with both bands; Lazarus; and Left End, introduced by Tommy John. Singing with Left End will be Jimmi Migliozzi of the Huckin Fillbillies and Love Turns Hate, Daniel Butch of Haymaker, John Yuhas of Leddfoot and Leanne Binder. Ashley Miller of Perfect Pair will sing back-up vocals.
For tickets and other information, go to ytownmusic-awards.com.
The YMA Jam Band, consisting of Michael Baranski and Kevin Mazzy of the Houseband, Jerry Centifanti of Dominic Tocco and Brotherhood, Michael Gismondi of Michael Stanley Band, John Sferra of Glass Harp, and Rajma Mackenzie of Triple Threat and Graphic Pink, will play away the rest of the night.
“The first year for the YMAs has generated a lot of attention,” said Michael Kermec, founder and organizer of the event. “Youngstown bands are being talked about, and that was the goal. It’s also a really cool thing to see JD Eicher playing a show with bands that have been doing it since the ’70s. Young talent of the area meets new talent of the area.”
Kermec said 45,622 votes were cast for 233 contestants.