Sometimes, family harmony transcends music. When Ralph DiNome and his daughter, Dawn, sing together on stage, you can sense a bond that stretches beyond lyrics and notes.
“Both of them are outstanding vocalists but it’s the interplay and flow between them that makes it so special,” said Gary Davis, a guitarist with the elder DiNome’s Flashback Band. “When Ralph and Dawn sing ‘Somewhere Out There,’ it’s amazing. He’s been singing that song with her since she was a little girl. There’s something very special about that kind of harmony.”
Flashback Band performs its brand of rock and pop music Friday at 6 for an Operation Shoebox benefit concert in Laurel Manor. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 5:30; for information call 352-454-4265.
The father and daughter reunion of Ralph and Dawn has grown in The Villages over the past five years.
During that time, Dawn has evolved from a bartender to choir member; from a single mom to a loving bride to be. She is scheduled for a September wedding ceremony to Patrick Wetzel but for now, Dawn relishes another role: singing partner with her dad.
“I’ve come a long way,” she said during a rehearsal break with the band on a recent dark and rainy afternoon. “It took me a long time to know what I really wanted. I think it really began five years ago when my daughter Olivia was born. That’s when I found myself here.”
Here means The Villages where Ralph DiNome and his wife, Connie, moved to Mallory Square about eight years ago. He grew up in Brooklyn, lived in Long Island and always urged Dawn to pursue a singing career. She resisted and rebelled against dad’s advice.
“She always had a great voice,” DiNome said. “I wanted her to get started in music and I tried to push her when she was just a kid, but she wouldn’t listen. She waited until she was 23.”
That was when Dawn, now in her mind 30s, gave up a business career and voraciously hurled herself into singing, dancing and theatre. One reason for the delay was a self-proclaimed shyness; another was a determination to follow her own path outside her father’s shadow.
“My dad had a paint business and one day I went to work with him,” Dawn said. “I don’t know what happened, I think I reorganized things. He didn’t like it. I can’t remember if I quit or I was fired. I didn’t last long.” Her father just smiles at that story. “She did all right,” he said. “I’m so proud of Dawn.”
His daughter’s journey to the stage has been challenging. She studied singing and theatre in college. Dawn worked on stage in New York City, and toured in some shows. She took a job teaching the arts in Seoul, South Korea. Finally, after Olivia, was born, Dawn found herself working as a bartender in The Villages. She lives just outside The Villages and began appearing and singing in local productions.
Dawn’s singing reputation grew and she volunteered to sing in the church choir. Eventually she was hired as musical director for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood. That’s when music took on a different meaning for her.
“It has changed my faith and my perspective on life,” she said. “A lot of people tell me I bring them closer to God. I have to sing at a lot of funerals and at first it was very hard. But I’ve learned that music can be a comfort for people who are going through hard times and loss.”
Olivia, a precocious bundle of energy is also an inspiration for her mother and family. During a recent rehearsal, Olivia, wearing a pink blouse to go with her flowing long jet-black hair, was running back and forth in front of the stage.
“Olivia, don’t touch that microphone, come here,” Ralph pleaded with his granddaughter. Dawn ran over and gently gripped her daughter’s hand as they gingerly walked together to the side of the stage. Such antics are a common occurrence at Flashback Band gigs.
“It’s a family thing, we’re all in this together,” Dawn said. “My mom comes to the shows and helps with the tickets and watching Olivia, while my father and I are on stage.”
Life in any band is not always smooth.
“Sometimes we butt heads,” Dawn said of her musical relationship with her dad. “But,” Ralph added, “we keep each other in check.”
The other band members agree.
“They have a special chemistry,” said Ted Skolits, who plays drums in the band. “It’s a family harmony; the kind you can’t teach because you’re born with it.”
“Their voices are special and their personalities come out on stage,” added Dave Hosack, who plays bass. “Ralph knows thousands of songs and is very professional. Dawn brings a fresh style to the music and has a great personality.”
The elder DiNome is a baby boomer who grew up in Brooklyn listening to Johnny Maestro and the Crests, Dion, the Four Seasons, Carole King and the Beatles.
DiNome spent his adolescence playing in bands and going to concerts in New York City. He listened to radio legends like Murray the K and Cousin Brucie. Dawn, though, comes from a different generation. Her musical influences include Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Adele and MTV.
That blending of musical cultures is part of Flashback Band’s appeal. They can rock out on oldies like “At the Hop” or “Devil With the Blue Dress On;” hit the disco on “I Will Survive,” or Dawn will soar on “A Natural Woman.” Then Ralph and Dawn can bring the house down with a ballad like, “The Prayer.”
Musical variety is the essence of the band. “Dawn gives us a contemporary feel and another vocalist so I don’t have to sing all night,” DiNome said.
She doesn’t mind singing oldies or performing before older crowds. “The old music is great and the people love it,” Dawn said. “One thing I’ve learned since coming to The Villages is you are as young as you feel.”
The biggest event for this singing duo will be Dawn’s wedding ceremony in September. They are still busy making plans and their unique harmony will be a part of it.
“Instead of a father-daughter dance, we’re going to sing a duet,” Dawn said.
