The Lettermen have mastered the art of three-part harmony but something else kept this trio popular for more than a half-century – genuine affection and rapport with the fans.
Tony Butala, Donovan Tea and Bobby Poynton played two sold-out showsWednesday in the Savannah Center. It was more than a concert performance, but kind of like a high school reunion and social gathering with old friends.
In addition to lush, melodic music, the Letterman shared memories, photographs, film clips and winsome nostalgia for the good old days.
All that was missing were some hot chicken wings and cold beer.
Butala, who founded The Letterman 54 years ago, is a gregarious, bouncy bundle of energy. He spent much of the show out in the audience, shaking hands with men, kissing ladies on the cheek, chatting with people and singing his heart out.
“I love what we do and thank you for coming out to see us tonight,” Butala said. “The Villages have always been good to us and this is our first time back in about three years. It’s good to be back.”
Watch video of Wednesday night’s performance:
The group opened with a jazzy version of the Rascals’ “People Got to Be Free.” Next came a souped-up version of “More.”
Then came a Lettermen standard: “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.” The song comes from the old movie of the same name but the Lettermen injected new life into the number with pitch-perfect harmony.
Midway in the show, the Letterman stepped off the front of the stage and invited fans to come up and take pictures with them. All this was going on as the guys sang, “Up Up and Away.” They dragged the song out until a long line of fans were done snapping photos and posing for what might be called Lettermen selfies.
Another audience-participation number came when Butala asked if anyone was named Maria. “We’re
going to do the song from ‘West Side Story,’” he said.
Villager Maria Alvarez Lisle raised her hand and the next thing she knew, she was standing in the front of center stage as Butala held her hand and started singing “Maria.” Lisle smiled and when it was over, Butala calmly walked her back to her seat. “Thank-you Maria,” he said.
The Letterman covered most of their many hits, with such numbers as “Turn Around,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “When I Fall in Love” “Going Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Hurt So Bad.”
Butala found time to sing a Frank Sinatra medley while waltzing through the crowd and Donovan Tea also headed to the elevated section of Savannah Center for country-rock take on “Cowboy Love.”
“I joined the Lettermen when I was 29,” Tea said. “Now I’m 60. I’m a card-carrying AARP member and I’m still a Letterman.”
The group changed into black Lettermen sweaters with an oversized “L” on the front midway through the concert. They sang “Theme From a Summer Place,” and it brought back fading memories of Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue.
Those days when that movie came out are long gone. But the Lettermen, thanks to their talent and fans, live on.
“They have stood the test of time, because they always have great harmony,” said Villager Randi Moore. She lived in San Francisco during the ‘60s and remembers seeing the Lettermen perform in clubs back then.
“I think the reason the Lettermen have stayed popular is because they never tried to be trendy,” Moore added. “Their harmony and music hasn’t changed; it’s high quality. They appreciate their fans, and we appreciate them.”
