Blake Guyre might be just 20 years old, but Sunday night he had people three times his age tearing up the dance floor like they were on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand.”
“I love coming here,” said Guyre, who also is part of the dueling piano crew at Pat O’Brien’s CityWalk bar in Orlando and a strolling piano player at Disney Springs. “I know many people here and it’s wonderful that they come and see us every time. I appreciate them so much.”
If Guyre showed Villagers anything during his four-hour set it was this – the kid’s got range. He and his band busted out classics from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, Pharrell Williams, Styx and Bruno Mars, to name just a few. And when it was time for the Tina Turner classic “Proud Mary,” Guyre turned the mike over to friend Julia Coppock, who performs in a band at his church, Journey Christian, in Apopka.
It was the kind of music that part-time Village of Orange Blossom Gardens resident Donald McKechney looks forward to all week. Because when it came to dance moves, nobody at Spanish Springs Town Square had anything on the retired long-haul trucker.
“We really like this band a lot,” he said. “I just love dancing and I love coming here.”
McKechney’s girlfriend, Cathy Ellis, said he can dance with anybody – and will.
“He’s got the dance moves; I’m just the photographer,” she said with a laugh.
At one point Sunday night, McKechney teamed up with Belleview’s Joanna LeBeau as Guyre brought an Elvis classic to life.”
“Every now and then you get that right song,” said LaBeau, “and it’s like, ‘Oh, give me those Blue Suede Shoes!’”
As for Guyre and his band, LaBeau said they’re a favorite of hers for two reasons.
“They play the right songs, the right melodies,” she said. “And they play slow songs. There are some bands that play no slow songs at all and I object, because many couples want to dance but they all can’t hop around.”
Meanwhile, Village of Tamarind Grove resident Denise George was all over the dance floor as her partner, Paul Beckman, moved at a somewhat slower pace.
When asked how he keeps up with George, his answer was simple: I don’t! I’m out here just kind of faking it and she’s doing the dancing.”
Guyre said seeing so many people enjoying his show fuels him to be the best he can be.
“My dream is to be a performer and to make it big,” he said. ‘But I wouldn’t be anything without people who enjoy the music.”
As for his definition of making it big?
“Have you heard of Billy Joel, Michael Buble, Queen?” he asked with a trademark smile. “All those artists are huge to me. And ever since I was young, Michael Buble has been a huge inspiration to me.”
For Guyre, there was one more reason Sunday night proved to special – it was Father’s day and his dad, Tad, was right over his right shoulder handling a wide range of vocals.
“It’s awesome,” the younger Guyre said. “I’m really glad that I get to spend the time with him while doing what I love.”
The elder Guyre, a mail carrier during the week, agreed.
“I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else,” he said. “We love it and we have so much fun together.”
