It all started in Brooklyn, where a kid named Sal Casta rooted for Campy and Pee Wee; listened to Elvis and Dion, and had a little girl named Suzie.
Sal worked in New York City’s garment industry but his real passions were singing and the Brooklyn Dodgers, with stars like Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese. He sang five nights a week, playing at clubs like Brooklyn’s Brown Derby and singing everything from Johnny Maestro to Frank Sinatra to Tony Bennett.
One day at a wedding, Little Suzie found herself on stage with Pop. Suzie, about 12, was nervous and shy, but Pop put his hand on her back, told her to calm down and sing. That was the day Suzie Casta became a singer.
Suzie and Sal Casta were together on stage again only this time on Friday night at the American Legion Post 347 near The Villages.
It was the second of two sellout performances for the father and daughter team. Watch a clip of the show here:
“This is kind of like a big, old-fashioned Italian wedding,” Suzie said at the opening of the show. “I can’t tell you what it means to be here with all of you and singing with my father.”
Suzie then opened the show with the old Lulu hit, “To Sir With Love.”
“I used to sing this song for my Dad when I was just a kid,” Suzie said. “In fact, I sang it to him at my second wedding. I also sang it to him at his second and third weddings. One thing we know is weddings.”
Casta, one of most popular performers in The Villages, gave the song an emotional edge. She seemed particularly touched when a picture of her grandmother or “Nana Josephine” came on a video screen behind her.
“She was my Dad’s inspiration and my inspiration,” Suzie said.
Then Sal Casta made his entrance from the back of the hall. He started singing the Frankie Valli standard, “My Eyes Adored You.” He not only hit all the right notes but like a true New Yorker, found time to shake hands and schmooze the audience on his way to the stage.
“To me, the people in the audience are just as important as the performer,” Sal, who still lives in New York, said before the show. “Any performer who thinks he is better than the people who come to see him, won’t last. They are what matter most; without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
When asked what advice he gave Suzie, Sal Casta said: “stay humble, work hard and always be nice and respectful to people.”
That formula has made Suzie Casta a huge success in The Villages.
“I remember when Suzie first came to The Villages and worked as a bartender,” said Stan Swies, a longtime friend. “She would sing karaoke and everyone who heard her would tell her, ‘What are you doing behind a bar. You should be on stage.’
“I’m not surprised at her success. She’s very outgoing, cares about people and works hard. And she’s got a great voice.”
Father and daughter rocked out on “Love Shack,” and had the dance floor filled with the old B-52s’ hit. There was more father-daughter rock with the Four Seasons’ rocker, “December 1963 (Oh What A Night).”
Sal then took over with a mellow Barry Manilow tune, “Can’t Smile Without You.” Suzie quickly changed the mood when she strutted out on a crowded dance floor singing “Happiness.” Before long, everyone out there was jumping and jiving with Suzie.
Of course, you can’t put two Castas from Brooklyn on stage without a medley to New York. Listening to them made you hungry for pastrami on rye, and thirsty for an egg cream.
Suzie was in vintage form on Alicia Keyes “Empire State of Mind.” Casta likes to have fun on stage and can sing just about any kind of song but on a number like this, she displayed true talent.
Sal, meanwhile, put on a black top hat, and led the crowd with the New York City anthem, “New York, New York.”
“I will always love New York,” Sal said before the show. Then he was asked about The Villages.
“It’ a special place,” he said. “Not because of all the buildings and homes, but because of the people. They are so friendly and pleasant. It’s the people that make The Villages so special.”
One of them is Suzie Casta.
“I’m so proud of my Suzie,” her father said.