Big-band drum great Dresel is returning home for concert

March 23, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

Big-band drummer Bernie Dresel, a Sharon, Pa., native who played with the Brian Setzer Orchestra for 15 years, and later Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, is planning a hometown show.

Dresel’s act, The BBB featuring Bernie Dresel, has booked a show at the Buhl Park Casino ballroom in Hermitage, Pa., on May 21. The show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at Brewtus Brewing in downtown Sharon, Marks Music and at the Buhl Park Casino. The BBB recently released a live album titled “Live N’ Bernin,’” which will be sold at the show.

The graduate of the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University is one of the best big-band drummers anywhere, as witnessed by the fact that Modern Drummer magazine readers named him Best Big Band Drummer in a poll.

Drum Magazine had put him on its list of “53 Drummers Who Made a Difference in the ’90s.”

Dresel also stays busy as a session musician in Los Angeles and is the go-to guy for TV and film soundtracks that require a big-band swing beat. His work has been heard on plenty of television scores over the years, including “Knot’s Landing,” “Dallas,” “JAG,” Star Trek’s “Next Generation,” “Voyager: Deep Space Nine,” “The Simpsons,” “American Dad,” “Family Guy” and “King of the Hill.” He also has played on many movie scores, including “The Hulk,” “The Bourne Supremacy,” “Ratatouille,” “Speed Racer” and “Mission Impossible 3.”

Dresel has recorded and performed with Brian Wilson, Ringo Starr, Maynard Ferguson, David Byrne, the Rippingtons, Chaka Khan, Clare Fischer, Doc Severinson, Philip Bailey, Jeff Lorber, David Lindley, Keiko Matsui, Dolly Parton and Andy Summers.

THE VINDYS TO PERFORM AT RECORD STORE DAY

National Record Store Day is April 22 this year, and as always will include a slew of exclusive vinyl releases. The day, which celebrates the culture of the thousands of independently owned record stores around the world, is now in its 10th year.

Heavy hitters releasing vinyl packages that will be available only at indie stores this year include Prince, Neil Young, the Flaming Lips, Tegan and Sara, Gary Clark Jr. and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Live performances are also part of the event. Who can forget two years ago when the Foo Fighters, featuring Warren native Dave Grohl, played at the Record Connection in Niles?

Performing this year at the store in Pine Tree Plaza will be Youngstown-based band the Vindys.

For a while it looked like Timothy B. Schmit, who was the bassist for the Eagles, was also going to be there. But that fell through because of his tour schedule, said store owner Jeff Burke.

BICYCLE RACE REWARDS THE BEST DONUT EATERS

This might be my kind of bicycle race.

Registration is now open for New Wilmington, Pa.’s second annual Tour de Donut Bike Tour on June 3. Check-in and festivities will begin at 8 a.m. at Westminster College’s Memorial Field House. Pre-registration is $20 per rider and guarantees a T-shirt and goodie bag.

Cyclists of all ages and levels may choose from 10-, 30- or 60-mile tours. In addition to Apple Castle’s famous donuts, water, Gatorade and fruit will be provided before, during and after the tour.

The Tour de Donut features a voluntary donut eating challenge at various points throughout the Amish country ride. A donut medallion will be awarded to all riders who eat 12 donuts throughout their ride. Riders under age 12 will receive a medallion for eating six or more donuts.

A couple of other upcoming events that are unique to this region of the country include the annual Twins Day Festival, which will take place in Twinsburg on Aug. 5-6 (twindsdays.org); and the Beach Glass Festival, April 29-30 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pa. (relishinc.com).

MICHAEL KORS BRAND TEAMS UP WITH KENT

Luxury lifestyle brand Michael Kors will partner with Kent State University’s School of Fashion Design and Merchandising to present FS2, the school’s annual fashion show, on April 28 and 29 in Rockwell Hall.

FS2 Presented by Michael Kors is subtitled “Reverie” and will showcase work by the fashion school’s students. Performances include a 2 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. awards show on April 28. The sponsor/VIP show will take place at 7 p.m. April 29.

Don Witkowski, a Kent State alumnus and president of men’s at Michael Kors, is the 2017 inductee to the Fashion School Hall of Fame, and will present a free, public lecture at noon on April 28 at the event.

For information or to purchase tickets, go to kent.edu/fashion.

Guy D’Astolfo covers entertainment for The Vindicator. Follow him on Twitter at @VindyVibe.