George Sicker, singer with the Rev-Tones describes Andrew Martin as “one talented individual with an incredible voice” who is a “terrific person” and “humble kind of guy” (Introducing: Andrew Martin, SIDEBURNS Magazine, October 18th, 2019).
Andrew Martin, photographer John Rowland, and George Sicker. Photo Credit: A. Martin.
Those of us who were at Andrew’s ‘70s Revolution show on Sunday, June 2nd, 2018, would agree full-heartedly with George’s comments. Andrew Martin has been blessed with a voice that has such a range that one wonders if there is anything he cannot sing to perfection. A powerhouse on stage, after the show, Andrew showed his “terrific and humble” side, by spending time chatting with fans and friends, thanking them for coming to his show, signing autographs, and posing for many photos. Asked by one fan to sing a gospel song acapella, Andrew sang “How Great Thou Art” so beautifully that more than one person wiped away a tear.
Singer Andrew Martin. Photo Credit: Kimberley Clark.
Sunday’s show, as indicated by the title ‘70s Revolution, was filled with music from the 1970s. The song choices in both sets brought back so many great memories. Andrew covered songs from the best ‘70’s groups and solo acts, including the iconic Eagles, and the legendary Sir Elton John. Asking the audience if anyone liked disco music, Andrew was surprised by the many cheers. He laughingly commented, “Usually I receive one timid ‘I do’ from an audience. It appears Niagara Falls is a disco city!” And with that said, Andrew went on to perform KC and the Sunshine band tunes. Andrew also performed a melange of theme songs from popular 1970’s sitcoms, including WKRP in Cincinnati, Happy Days, Welcome Back, Kotter, and The Jeffersons, which brought back warm memories for many.
Back-up singers Anita Halfpenny and Susan Walsh enjoy a moment on stage with Andrew Martin. Photo Credit: Kimberley Clark.
Andrew was generous in his praise of his band members and singers: Drummer and vocalist Tyler Stacey, bass player Sylvain Gagnon, guitarist and vocalist Derek Morris, pianist Sam McNichols, keyboard player and vocalist, Ben Vandergaast, and background vocalists, Susan Walsh and Anita Halfpenny. In his introduction of the band, Andrew jokingly pointed out for the benefit of the ladies in the audience the marital status of band members, specifically noting that that Sylvain is “available”. Adding that he, himself, could be available, Andrew quickly retracted his statement saying his wife, Janet, was in the audience. It was all in good fun. Talented singer and guitarist, Derek Morris, entertained the audience with two songs: “No Matter What You Are” by Badfinger, and “Swingtown” by the Steve Miller Band. Commenting on keyboard player and vocalist Ben Vandergaast’s stylish red shoes, Andrew introduced Ben’s Elton John solo, “Bennie and the Jets” which delighted the audience. And when Tyler Stacey sang “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad, he had us out of our seats dancing. When Andrew joined in at the end of the song for a final “pretty” note, Tyler bowed on hands and knees to the master vocalist. The camaraderie that exists between Andrew, band members, and singers is evident on stage. There was lots of good natured joking that provided a great sense of fun for all during the show.
For me, as the editor of an Elvis Tribute Artist magazine, Andrew’s medley of Elvis Presley songs that ended his second set was the topping on a fabulous afternoon of entertainment. Earlier in the show, Andrew sang the crowd pleasing, interactive, “Sweet Caroline”, a Neil Diamond song recorded by Elvis for his On Stage album; and he teased with a few bars of an Elvis gospel song. Andrew also sang “Never Been to Spain” by Three Dog Night which was recorded by Elvis for his 1972 As Recorded at Madison Square Garden album. With his award winning voice, Andrew paid great tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Leaving the stage to a standing ovation, Andrew was encouraged to reappear and sing one last song. Breaking away from the ‘70s, Andrew chose Journey’s 1981 hit “Don’t Stop Believing” to end the show.
Photos of the ‘70s Revolution Show
Thank you, Kimberley Clark for some of your photos used in this album.
I had a chance to speak with some very nice people before and after the show. Debi Czerewaty, SIDEBURNS Magazine winner of two tickets that were generously donated by Andrew Martin Music, was very excited to see the ‘70s Revolution Show and bring along her friend. Cambridge, Ontario couple, Dorine and Ozzie Bertin, planned their weekend getaway to the Falls so they could see Andrew’s show. Hugh Jefferies and Kimberley Clark, who sat beside me and took many great photos and videos, plan on going to Andrew’s Crooners Christmas show in December. One of my favourite photos from the day is of Hamiltonian Cathy Wood taken with Andrew. Her smile says it all; she had a great time! Cathy’s husband, Bob, who is a Beatles fan, said he really enjoyed the show. Andrew Martin fans, Debbie Snow and Lorraine Eisan, from Brampton, Ontario, travel far and wide to see Andrew’s shows: Guelph, Peterborough, and on Sunday, Niagara Falls. Without hesitation, they both stated, “We love Andrew!” Also at Andrew’s show on Sunday were Laura Maryniak and Rose Sgambato who are followers of Andrew. And seeing Andrew for the first time were Evelyn Perry, Gigi Collucci, Joyce Barnes, and Laura Shand who saw Andrew’s show listing on his Facebook page. It was so nice seeing SB Mag’s followers, Marnie Butler, and her husband, Jeff, Lynn and Gord McNeil, and Pam Capp and her sister, Marsha. Andrew’s cousin, Marjorie and her friend surprised Andrew by coming to his show (third photo right in the fourth row in the album below). A very nice man named Rick had the most incredible Elvis belt that he made from pull tabs which he decorated to resemble an Elvis belt. And if you want to reach Graceland in a hurry, Rick can tell you the 1-800 number off the top of his head!
If you did not have the good fortune of seeing Andrew Martin’s amazing show on Sunday, Andrew has a show in July and one in December. Information can be found in the flyers that follow. A 20% discount is being offered for a limited time for the Crooners Christmas show on December 6th, 2019, so act quickly to secure a good seat. Any show you see with Andrew Martin will be an incredible experience!
Fan Photos
Upcoming Shows
ETA Matt Cage and singer/musician Derek Morris. Photo Credit: Anita Halfpenny.
Singer and musician, Derek Morris, also manages and performs with the Celtic group, Fiddleheads from Belleville, Ontario. Derek is also the brother-in-law of one our favourite ETAs, Matt Cage. Clips of Derek performing as Johnny Cash in Matt’s shows can be found on YouTube. Andrew’s background singers, Anita Halfpenny and Susan Walsh, have also performed with Andrew Martin in For Love Of A Song, a group originally from Belleville that puts on great shows organized by Susan Walsh. According to the For the Love of a Song Facebook page, the ladies will be “joining Andrew Martin at a couple of his concerts” and they “will be back November 2019”. Anita Halfpenny also sang back-up for Matt Cage with her band DejaVu. Derek will be performing with Matt on June 12th, 2019, in Concert on the Bay: Elvis and Johnny at Zwick’s Park, Belleville, Ontario from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Admissions is free!
In the ETA world, someone always seems to be connected to someone else we know. I first saw Andrew Martin in 2015 when he was singing backup for ETA Steve Kabakos (aka Steve Michaels). When Steve left the stage to change, Andrew, as part of a quartet, sang Elvis’s much loved gospel songs. During Andrew’s solo, my daughter and I were awed by his voice. Andrew, who was best man at Steve’s wedding, is the godfather of Steve’s children. With his best friend Steve’s encouragement, Andrew returned to performing in his own shows.
Adding another link in the ETA chain…when Steve was not able to perform in American Icons due to another commitment, he called on Matt Cage, who has worked with many of the same people as Andrew, to play the role of Elvis. “But what about Andrew,” you might ask, “Would he ever consider filling in as and ETA for his friend, Steve Michaels?” Andrew’s humorous answer to this reasonable question is, “You will never see me in a bedazzled ‘onesie’!”
Coming up are two shows you will definitely want to see: Matt Cage and The Casino Brothers in the Elvis 68 to 77 Concert on Friday, July 12th, 2019, and Andrew Martin with his band in his Decades Show on Saturday, July 13th, 2019, both at the Belleville Waterfront and Ethnic Festival, Zwick’s Park. Also appearing on Friday night, just before Matt and the The Casino Brothers will be the talented singer Anita Halfpenny and her band DejaVu. Hope to see you at these fantastic shows!
Photo Album
Many of the photos in this album were previously posted in Andrew’s interview. Photo Credits: A. Martin, C. MacArthur.
Queen Street Area of Niagara Falls
Outside the Seneca Queen Theatrre waiting for the box office to open at 2. Photo Credit: C. M.
I would like to close by talking about the Seneca Queen Theatre and the interesting Queen Street area of Niagara Falls, Ontario. When going to a theatre in a place you have not been before, it is nice to know where you can park and where you can have a bite to eat locally before arriving.
I have been to Niagara Falls on many, many occasions in my lifetime, but the day of Andrew’s show was only the second time I have been to the Queen Street area of Niagara Falls, ON. A few years ago, by chance, I found my way to the area during a lively, and very crowded, community festival on Labour Day weekend. I don’t recall even seeing the theatre on that particular day. On the Sunday afternoon of the June 2nd show, the Queen Street area, which is only a 10 minute drive from Casino Niagara, was not busy at all. It was very quiet, and the theatre was very easy to find.
The Seneca Theatre was built in 1941 with a seating capacity for 911. It was originally owned by Famous Players. The theatre hosted many events over the years, including the Canadian premiere of Marilyn Monroe's film Niagara on January 28, 1953. In 1984, Cineplex Odeon took over the building, and the theatre was made into two cinemas. Cinema 1 had 569 seats, and Cinema 2 seated 211, providing a combined seating capacity for 780 patrons.
A large, illuminated marquee was part of the original façade, and the upper part of still exhibits art deco styling. The interior was decorated throughout with native Seneca motifs such as birch bark-cast plaster walls, ceremonial masks and belt designs. The theatre is hoping to restore the masks and marquee in the future.
The Seneca Queen Theatre, today, holds 308 comfortable seats, each with a perfect view of the stage. The Seneca Queen is fully licensed. Parking on Sundays is free in a municipal lot behind the theatre.
Floors in the Queen Bee Cafe are original to the building. Photo Credit: C. MacArthur.
Open for business on the day of the show, were three notable establishments on Queen Street: The Paris Crepes Café, the Queen Bee Café, and the Cigar Experience (definitely not promoting smoking, but the building is beautiful). I remember the Paris Crepes Café from my previous visit, and it reputedly continues to offer great food. I was told by locals that the Queen Bee Café was a good choice for tea; so on Monday morning, I dropped in for a light breakfast. For a reasonable price of $6.37, I enjoyed a bacon, cheese, and bacon bagel and a large Earl Grey tea. I was told by management that the Queen Bee is getting a makeover this week. I hope they keep the integrity of this awesome building in tact. The floors and ceilings are original to the building and are quite spectacular.
If you are in the downtown Queen area during the week, there is free 90 minute parking on the street. If you do visit, take note of the street signs that arch over the streets, and the nice little park with a fountain by the NF City Hall.
I hope to see you all the next time Andrew Martin has a show at the Seneca Queen. You will enjoy an awesome show in an awesome theatre in an interesting area of Niagara Falls. Until next time, cheers! C.M.