The Lettermen were a major influence for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. The reason was simple: “harmony,” Wilson once said.
After 50 years, the Lettermen are still going strong and the harmony that has carried this group over the decades was on shimmering display Saturday during two performances at the Orange Blossom Opry.
Tony Butala, the lone original member, along with long-time singing partners Donovan Tea and Bobby Poynton proved that the Lettermen can still hit the high notes and have a ball entertaining a crowd with music, humor and energy.
“We’ve been doing this a long time and we still love to sing and have fun,” Butala said. The Lettermen provided plenty of both for appreciative crowds at the Opry in Weirsdale.
The music was classic Lettermen, especially during an early medley in the concert.
Butala and company were in vintage form on such standards as, “Hurt So Bad,” “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and “Shangri-La.”
They closed the set with a gorgeous version of “Turn Around, Look at Me.” It was released in 1961, and the strength of the Lettermen’s vocal prowess made the old tune fresh once more.
“That song has become an international favorite,” Butala said. “We sing it all over the world.”
The singer added that the group regularly plays Central Florida and The Villages. “A lot of people here grew up with our music and appreciate it.”
Then he decided to have some fun. Butala talked about his youth singing with the famed Mitchell Boys Choir. That group appeared in such films as “White Christmas,” “War of the Worlds,” “The Bishop’s Wife,” “On Moonlight Bay” and Disney’s animated “Peter Pan.”
But one memory that stuck out from those days for Butala was when part of the choir backed up Frank Sinatra on the song, “High Hopes.”
“Mr. Sinatra was wonderful to us kids,” Butala said. “He signed autographs, took pictures and treated us great.”
So, in a way to show his appreciation, Butala offered a Sinatra medley. Not only that, but the singer ran off stage and into the audience to shake hands with the guys, kiss the ladies and make some conversation. All this while singing a couple of Sinatra standards, “I Get A Kick Out of You” and “Night and Day.”
At times, Butala seemed a bit out of breath, so he turned the microphone over to an audience member who would croon, “I get a kick out of you.” It may have been off-key, but it was fun.
The Lettermen have a long and strong bond with their fans.
“I’ve been following them since the ‘60s,” said Villager Richard McClintock, who was clutching a Lettermen album in his hands. “They have always been one of the singing groups that stand out because they sound so good. They know how to entertain and make people feel good.”
John Dekok, of the Village of Hadley, agreed.
“To me, they have the best harmony ever,” he said. “It’s remarkable to hear the closeness of the harmony. These days you hear rock and rap, but the music just isn’t the same. The harmony of the Lettermen is unique.”
That was the formula for such Lettermen standards as “When I Fall In Love,” “Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Hurt So Bad.” The group has made 75 albums, including 11 Gold Records, five Grammy nominations and has sold over $100 million worth of records. They have been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
You can catch a little of The Lettermen from Saturday at the link below:
The Lettermen at Orange Blossom Opry
In addition to the Lettermen, the Orange Blossom Opry Band opened the show with some hard-driving and tender country music.
A couple of highlights came when Suzanne Morgan sang some solos and then combined with her husband, Darell, on a moving, “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.” Brian Goodpaster kicked up his heels and fiddle and had the joint jumping with “Orange Blossom Special,” that somehow turned into “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”
