Blast from the Past!!!

a picture from the first Sinatra Idol Contest in Hoboken NJ @ the historical museum, dec. 12, 2007.. humble beginnings. let's take it nice and easy...

Sinatra Idol Contest in Hoboken

  In his third appearance in Hoboken's annual Sinatra Idol Contest today, Bristow, Va., resident James Anthony was named the winner from a pool of 15 contestants.

  Anthony was named the winner of the sixth iteration in the contest's history after he recorded a perfect score, 25, for "Blues in the Night," which earned him the crown of best Sinatra-style singer.

  The contest, held in the Sinatra Park Amphitheater on the banks of the Hudson River, was attended by some 400 people, with a few hundred others stopping to listen to the sounds of Sinatra as they walked by. Hoboken's Director of Cultural Affairs Gerri Fallo emceed the contest, along with Gary "Simpnatra" Simpson, a local Sinatra impersonator and entertainer. In addition to Anthony placing first, Port Washington, N.Y., native Larry Dubin was named the second-place winner and Staten Island native Danny Satin was named third-place winner.

Anthony's song choice was first performed by Sinatra on his 1958 album, "Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely." The song's lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer and the music was written by Harold Arlen for the 1941 film "Blues in the Night," where it was performed by William Gillespie.

  For winning the contest, Anthony will get the chance to perform in the Sinatra Birthday Bash, to be held December 7 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, N.J. (and simpsinatra has to audition!)

Simpsinatra jams in Florida!

down on the southwest Florida coast in Naples @ the Laplaya Beach Club, Simpsinatra joined good friend and wonderful clarinetist Tony Palumbo along with local entertainer and guitarist Dashing Danny for 3 weekend sunset shows in March @ the crowded Laplaya Tiki Bar. winter finds Simpsinatra following the migration of the northeast snowbirds going south.