Interview: Tribute Artist Joe Scalissi Talks THE RAT PACK IS BACK! and Dean Martin

This Friday THE RAT PACK IS BACK! Join Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop (plus a 12-piece orchestra) in a one-night only recreation of the Rat Pack's classic nightclub act as Society for the Performing Arts opens its 2015-2016 season. Today, we talk to THE RAT PACK IS BACK! performer Joe Scalissi, arguably the world's foremost Dean Martin tribute artist. (You know you're probably pretty special when Dean Martin's daughter, Deana Martin Griffeth, says, "I was sitting there while Joe was performing; I thought it was dad ... but it was Joe!")

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Now, I normally would start by noting that you play Dean Martin, but to Google "Joe Scalissi" is to find countless fans and reviewers saying, "Joe Scalissi is Dean Martin." What kind of research have you done to really perfect your performance?

When I started in 1993, there was no such thing as YouTube [so] I got my hands on every CD and videotape I could find. I had one bootleg video of Dean in concert in London in 1983 and that became my go-to video to lean his style, delivery and mannerisms.

What brought you to Dean Martin in 1993?

I first learned of Dean Martin because of my father. He had his own band, and was the lead singer and bass player, and they did a lot of this kind of music.

What kind of pressure is there in embodying such an icon nightly? I can only imagine that Dino fans are pretty intense.

I don't see it as pressure. For me, it's a pleasure to pay tribute to Dean. For me it's being away from my family. I have my wife, a 9-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, and my mom is still with us.

You have been touring and performing and, again, embodying this role for around 20 years now. How does the experience stay fresh? How does it still challenge you?

I'd say the audience keeps it fresh. More times than not, they're new to the show. Also, changing up bits and songs here and there never hurts.

You perform solo and with the whole gang in shows like THE RAT PACK IS BACK! What is the best part about doing a group show?

The camaraderie of working as a team. If I drop a line, someone else will take it or throw me a cue, and I will always do that for them also.

What can Houstonians expect from THE RAT PACK IS BACK?

Great music, great comedy and I'll be working with some of the best in the tribute artist industry.

Clearly, you've been very successful playing Dean Martin, and there's been a lot of talk in the news lately about the coming of the hologram performers. Why do you think we want so much to see iconic artists long passed on stage, as opposed to in film or on our iPods?

I think it's the feeling people get from a live performance. [It] can never compare to film or YouTube.

Finally, tell us something about Dean Martin. It can be your favorite story, the most interesting thing you've learned about him over the years or just something that might surprise us.

Many now know that Dean was an avid golfer and was up early every morning to hit the links. So, the liquid in his glass was more often apple juice than liquor.

Also, there's a story about him calling the police on his own wedding anniversary. He disappeared from the party and soon after the police were there saying there was a complaint about the noise. Frank Sinatra asked the police who made the call. The police said it came from the house. Sinatra went up to Dean's bedroom and found Dean in bed with a golf club in hand watching TV. Frank asked him, "Did you call the police on your own party"? Dean said, "They ate, they drank, now they gotta go home. They're keeping me awake and I have an early golf date!"

Born too late to experience the "Summit at the Sands?" Try the next best thing as Society for the Performing Arts opens its 2015-2016 season with THE RAT PACK IS BACK! on Friday, September 18 at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002. Tickets can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org or by phone at 713-227-4772.

Photo Credit: THE RAT PACK IS BACK!

Photo Credit: http://www.joescalissi.com/

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