Tex Beneke Orchestra And Satin Dolls Pay TRIBUTE TO GLENN MILLER At The McCallum!

The McCallum Theatre presents the annual "Tribute to Glenn Miller and the Big Band Leaders" on Wednesday, March 27, 8:00pm. This year's tribute, stars the Tex Beneke Orchestra and features The Satin Dollz and Madeline Vergari.

Tex Beneke Orchestra
During the pre-war years, Tex Beneke's artistry made up one of the outstanding chapters in the Glenn Miller story. You could never mistake his singing style or his tenor-sax solos. He performed both with distinction and originality. Or could you ever forget his warm personality and cheerful smile. With Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke sang the lead vocal on what was to become the first Gold record in history, "Chattanooga Choo Choo."

On December 15, 1944, Major Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel on a flight to Paris. Miller's widow appointed Tex Beneke to take over the Miller Air Force Band. This was the band that was soon to become known as the Tex Beneke Orchestra. Since the band's inception, they have been playing the great hits of the Glenn Miller era along with hits of their own.

The Tex Beneke Orchestra is currently under the direction of Gary Tole, who has toured with the orchestras of Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Stan Kenton, Ray Anthony, Benny Goodman, Xavier Cugat, Woody Herman, and recently as the director of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has toured with such show business legends as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bob Hope and Kenny Rogers.

The Satin Dollz, Hollywood's pin-up darlings, are a stunning ensemble of singing, tap dancing, and downright charming ladies dedicated to delivering an evening of entertainment that recalls the golden age of the Hollywood Canteen, Copacabana, and Bob Hope's WWII USO tours. Call it retro, call it nostalgia, perhaps even call it a bit campy; by any name, it's called fun, as in leave that hectic life at the door and escape with the Dollz back to a simpler time.

Having recently returned from their 10 day whirlwind tour of the U.K. with appearances at the world famous 100 Club, Landmark Hotel, and Pigalle Club, the Satin Dollz have also entertained audiences at the Shrine Auditorium, Orleans Casino in Vegas, Sony Pictures and NBC Studios, with an appearance on "Good Day LA" and on BBC Radio. Proud recipients two years in a row of the USO Award of Merit, the Dollz have consistently brought smiles to various military branches through their high-energy USO shows including the U.S. Army, Marines at Camp Pendleton, Bob Hope Hollywood USO, as well as the Wounded Warriors.

Madeline Vergari was a runner-up in the Miss Ohio pageant and won the talent competition. As a result, she landed her first professional job with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, touring with them for three years, and then joined the Ray Conniff Singers, traveling to Europe, South America, and Japan. She joined Ray Anthony and the Bookend Revue and has sung with the Johnny Mann Singers, the Ray Charles Singers, Harry James, Ray Anthony, Les Brown, Bob Crosby, and Frank Sinatra Jr.

Madeline sang at the White House for President Nixon and the Inaugural for President Reagan. She has recorded on albums, commercials, and cartoons. Her CD This Is My Lucky Day! was nominated for a Grammy. Madeline sang the title theme for the film A Private Matter and sang solos on HBO's Tracy Ullman Show "Tracy Takes On." She started and directs the Blessed Kateri Children's Choir, and sang solos on their two CDs Christmas Time Is Here and Walking by Faith. She and the choir appeared on the TV show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader." She performed at the Emmy's Governor's Ball and regularly performs at Disneyland with a big band, jazz festivals, and concerts throughout the country.

Tickets for this performance are priced at $78, $68, $48 and $28. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

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