Check out Founder and President David Sestak's interview with WFMZ about the upcoming Allentown Hockey Arena and what it means to the Lehigh Valley.
12-13-2011
M80 Wins at Lehigh Valley Music Awards!
Best Live Rock Performance is awarded to M80
At the recent 13th annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards, one of Media Five’s exclusively booked bands, M80 won the award for “Best Live Rock Performance in the Lehigh Valley.”
M80 did not only win this prestigious award, but also performed at the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem, PA, where the LVMA’s were held. A video of M80 performing can be viewed below.
12-1-2011
T. Scott Curt 1948-2011
Long Time Media Five Associate Passes
T. Scott Curt, a long time team member of the Media Five family passed on November 30, 2011. For over 30 years, Scott was a prominent figure in the Lehigh Valley Music Scene both as a performer and Music Industry professional. His band 191 was one of Media Five's first booking clients in the early 70's. Scott was well known for his passionate performances and untiring on stage energy. Following 191, he moved on to the band Lehigh Valley Rock and Roll which was then followed by Shabaz'.
As Production/Stage Manager and MC for over 150 shows, he was an integral part in the success of Extensions of Man Concerts. With that responsibility, he was the key production liaison for acts such as Billy Joel, Aerosmith and ZZ Top. He later progressed in the company to become a regional nightclub booking agent and personal manager of Idle Threats and Bam Bam.
Whichever role Scott took on, he was passionate, opinionated and articulate. Whether addressing a concert audience with an unpopular announcement, having a negotiation with a talent buyer or offering advice to a band about their career, Scott was always forthright, honest and accurate with his opinions. Because he was an avid music enthusiast and performer, Scott could always relate to individuals on both sides of a situation with empathy and humanity.
In 2010, Scott volunteered endless hours of expertise writing commentary and history in the Media Five Archive. Like everything he did, it was filled with passion and had to be done right. The videos and music on the Extensions of Man Concerts site by show were researched and placed in by Scott. Before his illness, there was discussion for him penning a memoir of interesting stories surrounding the artists' concerts, backstage and onstage from Scott's viewpoint as the event Production Manager.
We are all saddened that his life was cut short and the voice and pen of this brilliant and kind man silenced before its time. His contributions to the music community will not be forgotten. He is greatly missed.
We sincerely extend our sympathy to his wife Barbara and his extended family.
Left: T. Scott Curt, Media Five 40th Anniversary Party - August 2010
Obituary and funeral arrangements are below:
Thomas Scott Curt, 62, of Bethlehem, died Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
He was born to the late Rev PC and Thelma (McNaughton) Curt, December 13, 1948, in Brooklyn, NY. Scott graduated from Bushwick High School in Brooklyn. He attended Wagner College and graduated from Muhlenburg College. He married Barbara A Boyer, his treasured wife and companion of 40 years. They resided in Bethlehem. Scott was a special education teacher for IU 20 and the Easton Area School District until he retired. He also worked in the entertainment industry with local bands and concert promoters.
Survivors: Scott is survived by his wife Barbara; Charles (his brother) and Julie Curt; extended family, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Services: A viewing will be held on Monday, December 5, 2011 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. in St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 521 E. Locust St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 Burial will be private. Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Bethlehem. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to either Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd. Easton, PA 18042 or to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave. suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
10-15-2011
CONGRATULATIONS TO CRYSTAL ROXX DRUMMER - ANTHONY BAKER 2nd place for the Sam Ash - Best in Drums Competition 2011
Crystal Roxx drummer Anthony Baker recently placed second for the Sam Ash Best in Drums Competition - National Championship held in Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, September 21, Baker competed against other regional finalists from around the country. for a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of exclusive drum equipment. Media Five Entertainment would like to congratulate Anthony for a great performance! The video can be viewed below.
9-13-2011
CONGRATULATIONS TO CRYSTAL ROXX DRUMMER - ANTHONY BAKER Finalist for the Sam Ash - Best in Drums Competition 2011
Crystal Roxx drummer Anthony Baker recently won the Lower North East Regional final for the Sam Ash Best in Drums Competition and is headed to the national championship in Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, September 21, Baker will compete against 5 other finalists from around the country for a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of exclusive drum equipment. Media Five Entertainment wishes Anthony the best of luck in Vegas!
8-2-2011
SANDS' MOLTEN LOUNGE NAMED "BEST LIVE VENUE" IN LEHIGH VALLEY MAGAZINE
July’s Lehigh Valley Magazine featured their annual Best of the Valley for 2011 and has named Bethlehem's Sands Casino Molten Lounge the "Best Live Music Venue.” Congratulations to our clients, Go Go Gadjet, Emily’s Toybox, M-80, ReMIXTD and Amadaun who were cited in the article as stand out bands.
Media Five is proud to be associated with Sands Casino as their primary entertainment vendor. We congratulate Sands on this very prestigious award. The cover of the July issue shown below features Molten Lounge with Go Go Gadjet performing.
6-21-2011
WAILING WATERS BREAKS INTO REVERB NATION'S TOP 10 NATIONAL ROCK CHART
Breaking big in a big way this summer, Wailing Waters continues to impress with accomplishments not only stage but online. On the internationally recognized Reverb Nation music website, Wailing Waters profile is currently ranked #7 on the national rock chart.
With the "official" start of summer beginning this past Tuesday, Wailing Waters continues their summer tour which includes dates at Seacrets in Ocean City, MD and Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City, NJ in addition to a Monday residency at The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach, DE.
Dewey Beach, DE Beach Paper recently caught up with the group to discuss their summer plans and the group's history. Read the article here.
This is going to be quite a memorable summer for Wailing Waters. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and keep an eye out for upcoming videos on YouTube.
4-26-2011
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27TH 35 ACTS, 4 STAGES, 1 CAUSE: CONCERT FOR A CAUSE 9
"Concert For A Cause" is held in April, every year, in Wilkes Barre. It began in 1999 as "Concert For Karen" and aided the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2003, the show changed its name to "Concert For A Cause," and since that time, it has raised funds for V.I.S.I.O.N., the Children's Service Center, Luzerne County Head Start, The Wyoming Valley Children's Association, The Child Development Council and United Way Autism Programs. The shows have now raised more than $176,640 for local charities.
In its final year, all proceeds from "Concert For A Cause 9” will benefit the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Anti-Bullying Program. Doors open at 6pm for this 21 and over event at the Woodlands. Admission is $7. Please come out and support our musicians and this great cause.
Media Five Entertainment has prided itself on discovering great talent and developing star attractions. As proven with the phenomenal success of Go Go Gadjet, we prepare our selectively chosen bands to meet our clients' always evolving entertainment needs. Bands are only signed to Media Five if they exhibit the commitment and desire to continue our company's legacy of four decades of shining, regional, national and international stars.
Before you complete your spring and summer programming, we urge you to strongly consider Media Five's Top Five Rising Stars: WAILING WATERS, LUCKY YOU, FADED FORTUNE, POP ROX AND MIA MANIA. We confidently believe these bands can be your future sensations based on their exciting shows and star power.
As a preferred customer, these bands are priced incentively and we invite you to take this opportunity to add several of these emerging stars to your schedule. Click on the band pictures to see song lists, previous bookings and in many cases, streaming music and video.
It is finally here, the opening of a one of a kind experience chronicling eastern PA music landscape: the online MEDIA FIVE ARCHIVE!
For those who lived it or are curious, the 1970s Booking, Management, Promotion and National archives are available for browsing, covering local and regional and national performers that we had the pleasure working with. This decade covers the post Woodstock era of pop music through the disco era to the rock revival movement of the late 70s. There is a WEALTH OF MATERIAL TO DISCOVER from OVER 80 REGIONAL BANDS and 75+ NATIONAL ACTS promoted or booked. Hundreds of songs, video and tons of vintage photographs, flyers and other promotional material can all be found at: www.MediaFiveEntArchive.com.
AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED! If you were one of the bands we worked with or fan or follower of any of these bands, we need your input. Please contact us at archive@mediafiveent.com if you played with these bands and can help provide detailed information of band members names, list venues played and other pertinent info. We welcome jpgs, mp3s or digital footage of bands.
Also, please be sure to add insightful comments or favorite memories to the forum section of each band page. HELP BUILD THIS SITE if you were in a band or just simply a concert-goer. As we receive more and more contributions the Archive's depth will continue to grow. We thank you in advance for your time and interest.
2-23-2011
GO GO GADJET CLOSES PENN STATE’S THON 2011 WITH A CROWD OF 20,000
February 20, 2011 Go Go Gadjet played their fourth performance in four years at Penn State’s 46 hour Dance Marathon (THON), which benefits the fight against pediatric cancer. During THON weekend, over 700 dancers are on their feet for 46 hours to help raise money for pediatric cancer and always look forward to the live bands that perform.
Go Go Gadjet was the last of ten bands to perform at THON. Jeff Tomrell, PSU Alum and Go Go Gadjet frontman, said, "It’s the coolest performance we’ve ever been a part of – ever. It’s really an honor.”
In addition to a huge student following, the band was chosen to round out the weekend because the crowd loves the enthusiasm they bring to every performance. Near the final hours of the 46-hour event, Go Go Gadjet took the stage for a crowd of 20,000 and shook the building with their jumping and fist pumping and all-around high-energy set. The crowd danced and sang along to THON 2011 favorites like "The Time (Dirty Bit)” by The Black Eyed Peas and "Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. "Go Go Gadjet was by far the best band they had all weekend,” said a PSU sophomore and dancer.
Other Media Five acts, My Hero Zero and Table Ten, were also honored to take part in such a monumental event. My Hero Zero lead singer Jason Olcese, PSU Class of 2006, let his dreadlocks down for the band’s rendition of Willow Smith’s "Whip My Hair” and other popular Top 40 hits to entertain the crowd. "This has been an incredibly humbling experience,” said Olcese.
Table Ten guitarist Josh Corcoran and bassist Jared Stillman were onstage during THON 2011, but they both know exactly what it feels like to be on the dance floor. Both band members previously danced and Corcoran said it helps the band’s performance to see THON from that perspective. "We know how it feels to be there and be exhausted and see which bands come onstage and how they will affect you,” he said. "There’s definitely a lot of emotion involved in the experience for us.”
2-14-2011
MEDIA FIVE ENTERTIANMENT SHOWCASE AT CLUB EVOLUTION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH
Wednesday, February 16th at the Woodlands in Club Evolution, Media Five Entertainment will hold a showcase starting at 7 pm. Bands slated to perform are:
The sensational M80, lead by Jane Train and Bryan Harmony, will take the stage after the showcase beginning at 10:15pm.
Directions to Club Evolution can be found by clicking here. 1-10-2011
WAILING WATERS AND TABLE TEN TO PERFORM AT THE 15TH ANNUAL MILLENNIUM MUSIC CONFERENCE AND SHOWCASE, FEBRUARY 18TH
We are proud to announce that Wailing Waters and Table Ten will both be making an appearance at the 15th Annual Millennium Music Conference and Showcase on Friday, February 18, 2011.
Taking place in Harrisburg PA, the Millennium Music Conference hosts keynote speakers, panels, clinics, workshops, one-on-one mentoring, demo listening, and an industry trade show. There will be over 300 Showcases and 30 Venues located all over Harrisburg featuring excellent live acts from all corners of Pennsylvania.
Wailing Waters will be performing at Liquid 891 in Harrisburg, PA at 11, while Table Ten will be playing at Flinchy's in Camp Hill, PA at 11:15.
1-05-11
MEDIA FIVE ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE AT CLUB EVOLUTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19TH
Wednesday, January 19th at the Woodlands in Club Evolution, Media Five Entertainment will hold a showcase starting at 7 pm. Bands slated to perform are Panic Switch, Johnny Unit and Faded Fortune. The event is free and open to the public.
Panic Switch will be performing at 8pm, followed by Johnny Unit at 9pm. The sensational M80, lead by Jane Train and Bryan Harmony, will take the stage after the showcase beginning at 10:15pm.
Directions to Club Evolution can be found by clicking here. Check back for more details soon.
12-08-10
TYLER GRADY, WAILING WATERS, AND M80’S BRYAN HARMONY WIN AT LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AWARDS
And congratulations to BRYAN HARMONY of M80 for Best Male Vocalist!
BEST NEW ARTIST/BAND… WAILING WATERS
BEST ALL-AROUND PERFORMER… TYLER GRADY
BEST MALE VOCALIST… TYLER GRADY AND BRYAN HARMONY (tied)
Tyler Grady and Wailing Waters have been making a splash on the scene over the last year and it’s no more evident that they are making quite the name for themselves than at the 2010 Lehigh Valley Music awards. As John Moser of The Morning Call said, "Tyler Grady didn’t make it past the Top 24 of "American Idol” last winter, but he spent the past year winning the hearts of Lehigh Valley music fans.”
Of the event and the awards Grady said, "It’s a great honor. This [ceremony] is a great celebration of what the Valley has to offer in music, and we’re happy to be here and to receive the awards.”
Moser went on to say that Wailing Waters "gave a rocking two-song performance, with Grady commanding the stage with the original song ‘One Day’ and The Doors’ ‘Let It Roll’.”
Bryan Harmony is no stranger to the Lehigh Valley Music Awards. He can add this year’s award for Best Male Vocalist to his collection of four awards from previous years. He has won 2002 Best Lyricist, 2006 Best Male Vocalist in a Musical, 2007 Best Male Vocalist, 2009 Best Male Vocalist, and 2010 Best Male Vocalist.
To see Moser’s full article, click the photo above.
12-02-10
MEDIA FIVE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND KELLY FRANKS AND MUSIC FOR A MIRACLE
We would like to applaud Kelly Franks of POP ROX for her involvement with Music for a Miracle. Music for a Miracle is dedicated to raising money for children with terminal illnesses, chronic and life threatening diseases and their families to aid with out of pocket expenses and other financial responsibilities not covered by insurances.
This December, Music for a Miracle has arranged a holiday children’s hospital tour. Pop Rox and other local musicians will be volunteering their time to visit four major children’s hospitals.
These are the dates for the holiday tour:
Dec 2nd - 11am Lehigh Valley Hospital/pediatric
Dec 5th - 2pm Kids Peace Hospital
Dec 7th - 1pm Janet Weiss Children's Hospital/Geisinger Danville
Dec 14th - St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
Dec 19th - Music for a Miracle Christmas Concert at the Little Theatre
For more information about this cause, click here.
11-4-10
THE FACES, THE BANDS AND THE PERFORMERS OF OUR PAST AND PRESENT : MEDIA FIVE BAND ARCHIVE
In celebration of our four successful decades as a premier entertainment organization, Media Five Entertainment is creating an online archive of Pennsylvania's most popular and influential bands. This site recognizes and salutes over four decades of dynamic bands that emerged to make their indelible marks on pop culture in the state and beyond. Together these Rock, Pop and R&B bands' collective performances, recordings and songs have helped earn Pennsylvania a reputation as one of America's hotbeds of great music artists.
Many bands were regional stars and some achieved national and international fame. In the MEDIA FIVE BAND ARCHIVE, browse detailed band profiles, photo galleries, streaming music and video. This unique interactive website encourages fans and band members to use the comment forums to share memories and experiences.Look for the 1970s debut in December. Bands who have been associated with us should contact us to provide their band page’s in-depth content.
Our vision is to grow this site into the definitive archive for 1950s - 2010s bands that were based in eastern Pennsylvania. We look forward to once again working with the Media Five family of bands to build their band page as a testament to the legacy they created through their hard work, creativity and performances.
David Sestak
Founder and President
Media Five Entertainment
9-3-10
STARTING THIS AUGUST
We celebrate four decades as a premier entertainment organization. Media Five Entertainment was originally founded as a booking agency and later expanded to the Extensions of Man Concert promotions and Media Five artist management. By discovering and cultivating bands through the decades, our artists have become some of the most renown entertainers in their time.
Beginning in October and continuing for the anniversary year, MediaFiveEnt.com will be rolling out decade by decade exclusive archival materials of our regional stars and national and international recording artists. Look for an interactive website where you can post recollections and comments for all the performers we work with through the years. From Aerosmith to Billy Joel, Live to Fuel, Magnum to Go Go Gadjet. Check back here soon for the start of this incredible retrospective only seen and heard at MediaFiveEnt.com.
The celebration kicked off with a Garden Party on a beautiful summer evening in August in Bethlehem, PA. Guests included company founders, former booking agents, managers and current and long time team members. Attending the celebration was:
David Sestak (Co-founder, Concert Promotions, Artist Management, Booking Agent)
Tony Morrow (Co-founder)
Greg Epler (Co-manager, Booking Agent)
Johnny DiFrancesca (Booking Agent)
George Poidomani (Booking Agent)
Dennis Jones (Booking Agent)
Ben Rose (Booking Agent, Co-Manager)
Kevin Miller (Drummer for Fuel, Armadillos, Fury, Shotgun Wedding)
Davey Werkheiser (Booking Agent)
Scott Curt (Booking Agent)
Lyn Carey (Booking Agent)
Dave Pomponio (Booking Agent)
Chris Sestak (Booking Agent)
Sue Connichie (Long time team member)
Tom Sestak (Long time team member)
Jessie Katzbeck (Long time team member)
Andrew McIntosh (Long time team member)
Julie Sauerzopf (Long time team member)
4-19-10
M80 VOTED "BEST COVER BAND" AT THE WEEKENDER'S READER CHOICE AWARDS
Earlier this month M80 was voted "Best Cover Band"at the Weekender's Readers Choice Award. This would not be a new feat for the band as this is their third straight win! Click here to see some pictures of the event and band.
M80 also won the first round of the Mohegan Sun Casino "Battle of the Bands." They have moved on to the Semi-Final round, which they will be competing May 13 for a $5,000 cash prize.
Also in April, Faded Fortune won The Doctor's Office Award for "Best Rock Band." Check out the results here.
3-15-10
TABLE TEN, PENN STATE'S #1 MOST POPULAR PARTY BAND, SIGNS WITH MEDIA FIVE. SUMMER DATES AVAIL
This immensely popular State College, PA acoustic/electric trio rocks like a band with undeniable charm and energy. With steady rhythm and swing and two dynamic lead vocalists, Table Ten get hips shaking and crowds singing along to their all night party jams.
Table Ten is lead by Josh Corcoran on vocals and guitar, Jared Stillman on electric bass, keys and vocals and locked in the pocket by Antonio Perisi on percussion and vocals. With a repertoire that boasts diverse hits from Dion to Bob Marley, Coldplay to Johnny Cash, click here to listen to Table Ten streaming audio and complete song list.
2-4-10
Pop Rox Named Featured Band of the Month
With their infectious, danceable tunes, Pop Rox has garnered much praise and has won many hearts. No wonder why Wilkes Barre Scranton Night Out just named the band the Featured Band of the Month for February. If you haven't yet experienced Kelly Franks and the boys live, what are you waiting for? Check out the band's latest tour dates at their Myspace now!
1-21-10
Media Five Bands Rocking for a Cause
Come and meet several Media Five bands at the Concert for a Cause 8 CD release party! The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9 p.m. until midnight at The Woodlands Inn & Resort in Wilkes Barre, Pa. The party commemorates the release of the Concert for a Cause 8 charity album, with all proceeds going to United Way Veterans Programs. Bands like 40-Lb. Head, The Five Percent and The Silent Treatment all appear on the album, and will be on hand Thursday night.
"Concert For A Cause" is held in April, every year, in Wilkes Barre. It began in 1999 as "Concert For Karen" and aided the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2003, the show changed its name to "Concert For A Cause," and since that time, it has raised funds for V.I.S.I.O.N., the Children's Service Center, Luzerne County Head Start, The Wyoming Valley Children's Association, The Child Development Council and United Way Autism Programs. Collectively, the 11 shows have now raised more than $176,640 for local charities.
In addition to helping veterans that have served in the past, "Concert For A Cause 8" will also help those serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan. The next show is set for April 22, 2010. Many more of our bands will be performing, so stay tuned for more announcements.
For more info on the album, the release party, and the upcoming concert, click here. Also, the CFC's Facebook page has picked up about 2,000 fans in just one month. Please help promote the CD party, the CD being in stores, and the show itself as much as you can and encourage your friends and fans to become friends and fans of CFC: Concert for a Cause on Facebook.
1-14-10
A member of the Media Five family hits the small screen next week
Tune your dials (or set your DVR's) to ABC next Wednesday (1/20) at 10 p.m., when M80 lead singer Janet Rains appears on the network's popular show "Ugly Betty." In the episode, which is called "Blackout," Rains appears in a few scenes that take place at a party in Betty's apartment. We look forward to seeing one of our own on TV!
12-22-09
M80 Voted Best Party/Cover Band of 2009
The people of Scranton have spoken! M80 has been named the Best Party/Cover Band of 2009 on DiamondCityWeekly.com
From the Web site:
The music scene in Scranton has always garnered great acts ranging from exciting cover bands to original masterpieces. So whether your poison is a cover band that makes you dance or an indie band on the verge of mainstream success, Scranton's got something for everyone. For those party animals that love to go out and listen to cover music, the 80s are certainly not dead. M80 is your choice for Best Party/Cover Band, taking the title from last year's pumped up winners Bliss. M80 have been blowing up the scene for a few years now, filling local clubs to capacity during a time when live music crowds are depleting.
Congratulations to the band!
12-18-09
Fuel's "Hemorrhage" named Billboard's No. 5 Rock Song of the Decade
12-10-09
M-80’s Bryan Harmony wins Best Vocalist
On Tuesday, December 1st at the 11th Annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards in Symphony Hall, Allentown PA, Bryan Harmony of M-80 was named "Best Male Vocalist.” Bryan appreciates the honor and owes it to his fans!
Media Five's thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Emily's Toybox's Wade Corbin and Milhouse. The band's drummer and bassist were involved in a serious car accident last week. While Milhouse is out of the hospital, Corbin remains in serious condition. Anyone wanting to send cards can send them to Emily's ToyBox ATTN: Wade, PO Box 291, Parker Ford, PA 19457. In addition, donations may be made by sending an e-mail to band leader Mike Wise at emilystb@yahoo.com. For daily updates on Corbin's progress, please visit www.emilystoybox.com/wade.
11-24-09
M80's Janet Rains Serves the Community
Area rock stars doled out a free holiday meal Saturday afternoon as a way to show God’s love for people at the pre-Thanksgiving dinner at the First Baptist Church on River Street.
Minister Diane Roberts organized and cooked 11 turkeys for the event, which was hosted at the church for the second year. Another nine turkeys were donated and cooked by various church members, many whom worked late into the evening continuing to cook to feed anyone who was hungry.
Roberts planned to open the doors to start feeding at 2 p.m., but she didn’t want to turn away people as they came in seeking food about 12:30 p.m.
"We welcome all that want to come eat and just enjoy God’s blessing,” Roberts said as she welcomed everyone in the church with a wide smile and her joyful booming voice.
National recording artists Breaking Benjamin and other local rockers from M80, The Black Orkid and Spit Can joined a small army of church volunteers to serve nearly 600 people several pounds of food as the volunteers distributed turkey, ham, buttered bread, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, yams and black beans and rice. Some of rockers served as waiters clearing away dishes once patrons finished eating.
For M80 vocalist Jane Train, also known as Janet Rains, volunteering to serve dinner was just another way to serve God. "It is a great thing to help the needy. This feels a lot better to me than getting paid after a show. It really does. This is really what being rich, spiritually rich is about. If you are a person of faith, this is what it is about. You are supposed to be God-like, Christ- like and help people,” Train said.
This year’s free dinner was in danger of being cancelled because Roberts was hospitalized with pneumonia a few weeks ago. So upon hearing this, members of local rock bands wanted to help Roberts and fellow church members.
"God blessed me and healed my body and we continue. The help that came out this year is extraordinary. I appreciate all the volunteers that came out and proved God is real,” Roberts said.
For Breaking Benjamin bassist Mark James, Saturday was a homecoming because he was able to come back to his hometown while showing his appreciation for people.
Seeing people, especially young children come through the line, touched James’ heart because he has children and realized the dinner was possibly the only meal some people would have. "I have a lot of gratitude for what I can do and the position I am in right now. It’s nice to give back. I was definitely taken back by it all,” said James, who grew up in the Mayflower and Heights neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre.
-Sherry Long, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader 11-05-09
Sandlot Heroes Feature Story in Morning Call
Click on the image below for a great read about Sandlot Heroes in the Lehigh Valley's premier daily news source The Morning Call. Writer Dave Howell captures the moment well as the band releases their debut full length Pretend That We’re Famous.
10-24-09
David Sestak Interviewed on WFMZ Channel 69 News
On Saturday, October 24, in Philadelphia, the doors of the Wachovia Spectrum were opened to masses, offering them one last look at the building. Media Five's very David Sestak was asked to reflect on one of Philly's most historic venues.
Sharks singer/guitarist Sam 'Lugar' Rawhauser dies
Everyone at Media Five is saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Sam 'Lugar' Rawhauser, singer/guitarist of the Sharks. We extend our condolences to Sam's family. Sam was a friend and former client of ours that touched so many lives through his music and live performance.
Here is Sam's obituary as it appeared in The Patriot News by reporter Chris Mautner.
Sam 'Lugar’ Rawhauser, the guitarist and lead singer of the Lancaster-based new wave band The Sharks died Thursday of complications from lung cancer.
Founded in 1979, The Sharks started out as a cover band, performing works by such acts as Elvis Costello and Flock of Seagulls. Members included Doug Phillips (drums and vocals), Steve Zero (lead guitar), Mark Showers (keyboards) and Shea Quinn (bass and lead vocals).
Eventually the band started to write and perform their own songs, aiming for a national market. In 1985, they won MTV’s "Basement Tapes” contest for the song "On My Own.” That led to a contract with Elektra Records. The video for their song "Only Time Will Tell” was the second most-requested song during the music channel’s Top 10 Countdown for two weeks in a row in 1988.
The band reformed in 1999 and had been performing two to three times a year ever since. They were scheduled to perform at Gullifty’s Underground in Lower Allen Township on Oct. 17.
"He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He always had a smile. He was never out to hurt anybody,” said Quinn. "He was a great talent and great showman and my brother. He was one of the greatest talents this area will ever see.”
According to Quinn, he and Rawhauser were forming a new band with Jeffrey Gaines and Martini Bros. member Deuce Gibb, in addition to writing new material for a Sharks CD. "We were having a blast," said Quinn. "Then, at one of last rehearsals he said he had a pain in his back. It went from there. We were just rehearsing four weeks ago."
Rawhauser leaves behind a wife, Sandy, and a son, Ian, 25.
According to the band’s Web site, donations can be sent to Sandy and Ian Rawhauser, 624 Pennwood Road, Lancaster 17601.
9-10-09
B104'S #1 Most Requested
Bethlehem, PA's pop rock band Sandlot Heroes has scored their second #1 most requested song at B104 FM in Allentown, PA, beating out artists such as Kings of Leon, Nickleback, and The Fray. "Out of My Hands" has entered the station’s top 20 currently at 25 spins a week. Previously, the band’s song "So" enjoyed 5 consecutive weeks of being the #1 requested song at B104. Program Director Eric Chase testifies: "From the minute I saw and heard the Sandlot Heroes, I recognized them as a presence that could immediately be placed into the fabric of the pop culture equation that we try to create here at B104."
"Out of My Hands" is the first single from their forthcoming full length debut "Pretend That We’re Famous" scheduled for an October 27 release date. The album was produced by Adam Richman over the past year in Coney Island. His collaboration with the band has produced a taut infectious blast of youthful rock that indicates this band is in it for the long haul.
Sandlot Heroes' summer highlights included tour dates headlining at Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA's international music festival that attracts one million people every year) and playing to fans at Hot Topic and the Gap stores in eastern PA. Fall tour dates in support of their release include the Dewey Beach Music Conference, AbsolutePunk.net Show at Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, PA and a two week east coast tour. An all ages hometown record release party will take place on October 31, 2009 at Crocodile Rock.
Allentown was a pretty groovy place in the mid 1960s and well into the 1980s. In 1967, native sons Jay and the Techniques were on their way to the top of the charts with "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie." A couple years before, another hometown group, "The Shillings," scored a deal with rock impresario Don Kirschner and signed with Mercury Records.
Billy Joel was a frequent performer in the area, including at Northampton's Roxy Theatre and Muhlenberg College in Allentown.
There was music everywhere. Kids grooved to the sounds on radio stations WAEB and WSAN, But the biggest scene of all was in the local music clubs.
Today and Tuesday, two former Lehigh Valley musical institutions reunite with two of the bands that rocked at them.
Today, Magnum, one of Allentown's best-known rock bands, holds a 30th anniversary reunion that celebrates Bill Daniels Rock Palace, a nightclub on Hamilton Boulevard near Cedar Crest in South Whitehall Township that hosted many national and local bands 1967 to 1986.
Then, on Tuesday, 1960s pop-rock group The Limits reunites for its 45th anniversary with former DJ and concert promoter Jerry Deane, who founded the Mod Mill under-21 club in 1967 in a Colonial-era grist mill at what is now the intersection of routes 309 and I-78 in Upper Saucon Township. Deane, 68, now owns TechniCom Audio & Visual, a nationwide provider of conferencing and audio visual services.
The events sprouted from the success of last year's reunion concert of the local 1960s band Big City Music at Musikfest. They were organized by Dave Sestak, founder of Media Five Entertainment, a booking and artist management company in Bethlehem that has guided some big names in the business, including Magnum way back when, and more recently, the bands Live and Fuel.
"I thought, why don't we do important reunions with local bands and marry them to defunct musical venues? This would be more than just about the music -- it's about the pop culture of the area," says Sestak, who now books regional and national acts at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.
Sestak has been a big part of Lehigh Valleys music scene since the late 1960s. He founded Big City Music in 1969, and played sax in the band's glory days, opening for such acts as Grand Funk Railroad at the Allentown Fairgrounds in 1970. In the late 1970s he put together and managed Magnum.
"It's 1 a.m., and a crowd is sitting at the bar drinking whiskey and waving hands to the Celtic sounds of fiddles, tin whistles and bouzoukis. Some are at tables, enjoying dishes like bangers and mash while a roaring fireplace adds light, warmth and energy.
The place?
The St. James Gate Irish Pub and Carvery at the new Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.
The musical inspiration?
Regional band Blackwater, rocking the house on the casino's opening night."
"Since officially opening its doors Memorial Day weekend, Sands has drawn thousands from the Lehigh Valley and beyond to test their gaming luck. While the casino's 3,000 slot machines are the big draw, there's something else -- a new nightlife scene concentrated in two clubs: the St. James and the Molten Lounge.
The clubs offer a diverse palette of free live music every day. Molten has afternoon and evening performances seven days a week, while St. James has live music four days a week.
Sands spokesman Jason Nibauer says he thinks of Sands as an entertainment destination, not just a gaming venue."
"Dave Sestak's Media Five Entertainment of Bethlehem has booked the region's most popular bands to perform at both clubs. Nibauer says the bands are booked according to the club's theme."
"Molten's schedule features a different genre each night -- open mic on Monday, jazz on Tuesday, rock on Wednesday, cover bands and Top 40 on Thursday through Saturday and a variety of genres, including country and tribute bands, on Sunday.
The entertainment at St. James has a Celtic lean. Blackwater kick-starts the weekend every Thursday night. The mix includes traditional Irish bands such as The Barley Boys along with acoustic rock acts such as the Dynamic Duo of Jake Kaligis and Mike Rauscher.
The clubs don't have dance floors, but that doesn't mean there isn't dancing going on."
We would also like to make special mention of Faded Fortune being featured in a million-dollar television advertising campaign being broadcast throughout the northeast region. John Rupp and the guys did a fantastic job!
5-14-09
Mia Mafia Infiltrates The Jersey Shore
AfterDark : www.APP.com
By Laura Gooley; Correspondent
You wouldn’t expect a name like "Mia Mafia” to be inspired by a 4-year-old girl. You might think something rougher and tougher, a little more dangerous. However, although the guys promise a rock-infused cover show like few others in the local bar scene, they readily admit their namesake and certainly hold her dear. Vocalist Brian Storm’s daughter, Amelia, always enjoys when the boys come over to practice, singing her best as they perform Blink-182’s "All the Small Things.” When it came time to name the group, the four agreed the girl, Mia for short, should be incorporated into the project. While "Mia’s Mob” was first suggested, guitarist Chris Lee thought "Mia Mafia” had a better ring and connotation to it, and the rest agreed. "It can mean different things to different people,” Storm said, and holds a personal meaning for the band. "None of us are in the mob,” Storm reassured. "When you look up the word ‘mafia’ ... it’s really about family. And it has an edge to it.” In practice, that edge is applied to the alternative rock they perform, a variety of songs from the 80s through today.
"We play what people want to hear,” Storm said, and are very crowd involved, both during and between sets. "We’re very good, professional musicians but we like to have a good time and involve the crowd.” On stage, this involvement includes putting on a good show for their audience, because they usually pay a cover charge, he said, and "we want them to get their money’s worth. We are 100 percent show. We pride ourselves on that ... we really take it seriously.” Storm noted that in their research of other bands, they discovered that what lacked most was the visible performance. Mia Mafia promises entertainment, as well as the chance to sing along as Storm holds the mike to his audience, or even play along, as the guys invite musicians from the crowd to come up and play with them.
Between sets, they still like to hang out with the crowd. If people are celebrating birthdays or other events, the guys will sing "Happy Birthday” or buy them a shot. "If you’re celebrating a divorce, we might buy you two shots,” Storm joked.
The band’s origins took root on Memorial Day of 2007, when Storm and bassist Mark Holland worked together in a group called G211. The two decided to leave the project and start one of their own, and formed Mia Mafia 13 months ago with current guitarist Lee, formerly of N.Y.N.E., and drummer Travis Kramer of Pushing Red, who was replaced by Jason Dumm about four months ago. "He’s crazy ... he’s good!” Storm said of Dumm, the former lead singer of 4th Gear who also plays guitar and bass, gives instrument lessons for a living and does solo work.
The group made their own bookings for a while, until they realized that to get out of their central Pennsylvania location, they needed an agent. Mia Mafia signed with Media Five Entertainment about a month and a half ago and almost immediately started getting bigger, better and farther away gigs. "It’s opened a lot of doors for us,” Storm said, indicating their show on Friday at the Marlin Bar in Beach Haven. Mia Mafia has never played the Jersey Shore in the past, but they hope this weekend’s performance will be the first of many, as the traveling is an added perk for them.
"Road trips are fun,” Storm said. "We get to play a lot of different places. And who doesn’t like the beach?” And because the guys love their audience so much, at each show they are invited into the band’s overhauled short bus, painted black with tinted windows and "Mia Mafia” on the side, with the request of their signatures on the inside walls. "We like to leave areas with a piece of the crowd.”
4-16-09
Concert For A Cause 7 : Concert For Karen
Media Five Entertainment is proud to support this great cause by providing bands and entertainment for the event."Concert For A Cause 7: A Concert For Karen" will take place on Wednesday, April 22, at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Wilkes-Barre. More than 35 acts will perform on four stages in an effort to raise money for the United Way Leukemia Fund. The event - which will be held 10 years to the day of the first "Concert For Karen" show in 1999 - will again be done in memory of Karen Greenberg Revit, sister of Media Five booking agent Lyn Carey and a member of the local music community who died of leukemia in 1998. For the fist time since 2002, it will again carry the words "Concert For Karen" in its name. "Concert For A Cause 7: The Album" was released on February 4th.
Since it began, "Concert For Karen/Concert For A Cause" has raised more than $161,500 for various charities - including V.I.S.I.O.N., The Child Development Council of NEPA, Children's Service Center, Luzerne County Head Start, Wyoming Valley Children's Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and United Way Autism Programs. To help note its 10th anniversary, Mayor Tom Leighton will officially proclaim April 22, 2009 "Concert For A Cause Day" in the city of Wilkes-Barre as a gesture of acknowledgment to the many people - mostly young people - that have made the event one of NEPA's biggest annual fund raisers.
Come out and see:
Go Go Gadjet, 40lb Head, M80, Bad Hair Day, Crush, The SilenTreatment, Farmer's Daughter and more!See The Full Lineup
Triumphantly returning to the stomping grounds that catapulted them to success years ago, Go Go Gadjet arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA on February 20th with two goals in mind: rock the house and help raise some money.
The band accomplished both, giving an inspired, tireless performance at Penn State University’s annual THON event, assisting in the raising of a record-breaking $7,490,133.87 for pediatric cancer research.
No strangers to the Penn State scene, Go Go Gadjet got their start performing on and off campus in area bars. The band’s infectious spin on pop classics, combined with their on-stage theatrics, quickly helped gained them a devoted following that has since spread across the east coast.
Having been a crowd favorite of THON 2008, Go Go Gadjet returned to pump up the auditorium and the 700 dancers with the intense energy and upbeat vibe that only they can bring. Said one THON coordinator: "Of all the acts that performed, Go Go has been the one that keeps coming up again and again. The whole crowd was into it.”
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, most commonly known as THON, is a student run organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. THON has raised more than $59 million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital since its beginning in 1977, and we are proud to recognize Go Go Gadjet’s involvement in such a worthwhile event.
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