Bill Davis has long been a fan of folk music. The leader of The Villages Pop Chorus has something special planned for the group’s concert at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9 at North Lake Presbyterian Church.
The Folksingers group from the chorus will sing “Today,” a hit made famous in the mid-60s by the New Christy Minstrels.
“I was a folk music nut back in the day, and this has always been one of my favorite songs,” Davis said. “So I decided to write an arrangement based on the original and contacted the New Christy Minstrels through their website.
“Well, to my surprise, I got an email back from Randy Sparks, founder of New Christy Minstrels and writer of ‘Today.’ Not only was he fine with me doing an arrangement, but he sent us their original chart. So we will be performing the song exactly the way New Christy Minstrels did back in 1964.”
Here is a video of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r97s3KJ_kHI
That won’t be the only recognizable song in the concert. Other numbers include: “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago; “Teenager In Love,” “A Song For You,” “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone/Climb Every Mountain.”
Performers include Diana Arlt, Holly Jeske, Bruce Greenberger and Jo Gagne. Karen Martin, Betty Odendahl, Bob Brandoni and Luma Green will combine to sing ABBA’s “Thank You For the Music.”
Also, well-known composer/arranger Sally K. Albrecht will attend the concert with her husband, Jay Althouse, also a musical arranger.
Proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society Resource Center in The Villages and Tutors For Kids.
