Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a SAFE New Year’s celebration. I had a wonderful time with my two boys. This Christmas I was reminded of a line in a Kris Kristofferson song: “When I see the wonder, in the smiles of my children. It reminds me of dreams, worth coming true.” –Wow!

Larry Maglinger THE ONE.jpg Anyway, down to business. I have a tale of music and Rock and Roll to spread to you this month. It is a tale that began over 40 years ago. I sat down recently with my buddy Larry Maglinger to discuss his musical passion and more specifically his new band “Infatuation” performing a tribute to Rod Stewart.

I asked Larry where his musical journey began. He jumped right in and started, “I started playing drums when I was 15 years old. The 1st group I was in was called THE TEMPS right here in Owensboro. I played in Jr. High Band and came from a musical family.”

“We changed the name to THE MAGS eventually and played high school dances, proms, even rented the Sportscenter and promoted our own shows.” How cool is that? Reminds me of my high school days, back when it was fun to pack around heavy gear!!!

Larry played and drums and sang all through High School. He sang a James Brown song that really got him into singing more. My other buddy Steve Chandler was also in the band, played organ. They ultimately turned the group into a 7-piece horn band playing Blood Sweat & Tears, James Brown, and more.

The band – THE MAGS (Folks used to call Larry “The Mag” back then!) – Eventually hooked up with an agent and changed the name to MIDWEST SPECTACULAR.  They continued to play around the region until 1970.

Larry recalls, “I stopped playing and went into the recording business in Madisonville, Kentucky. I worked for 4 years at Electric Arts Recording Studio then moved to Nashville in 1974. There I worked at Woodland Sound Studio engineering demos for the likes of: Jimmy Buffet, Tammy Lynette, and more. I engineered the demo for “Margarita Ville” and engineered Reba McIntyre’s first release.”

“I still came home on weekends and started installing speakers for people. In 1976 I moved back to Owensboro and started CUSTOM AUDIO-VIDEO, still not playing much music.”

So let’s fast forward 29 years and pick this story up with the power of Rock and Roll! The year is 2004; Larry had a boat he docked at the Big E Marina. He would come into the Timeout Lounge and sing Karaoke. This got him back “into the groove.”

 Someone suggested to Larry that he sing a Rod Stewart song and “BAM!” the Mag was back! Larry said, “That’s what I did and I kept doing it!” In 2005 he did his first show at Zazu’s, the debut of the Rod Stewart show. He did 2 hours of Rod Stewart Material and 2 hours of Rock and Roll.

He performed in the Timeout Lounge and even had the opportunity to open and perform with legends such as Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits and 1964, the Tribute!

During these years his show was done to tracks, but not just your standard karaoke tracks. Larry hired a studio in England that recorded ORIGINAL music tracks identical to Rod Stewart’s LIVE performances, versions with the crowd.

 His show also consists of some high tech gear including state of the art sound system, foggers, smokers, and awesome lighting effects. He also uses a large projection video screen for added appeal.

Now, looking ahead Larry is about to debut yet another evolution of his musical journey. February 9, 2008 “INFATUATION” – Larry Maglinger’s LIVE tribute to 30 years of Rod Stewart comes to the Showroom Lounge. That’s right I said, “LIVE!”

Larry has assembled a 6-piece band to perform the tribute show. Players include: The Mag, Kelly Clark, David Maglinger, Mike Riggs, Eric Scales, and Brittany Bayley. They have been hard at work the past several months rehearsing a 23 song, 2 hour show of Rod Stewart classics and new material.

Larry commented, “It’s going to be just like a LIVE Rod Stewart show. The musical arrangements are tough and come straight from concert material. The show is going to be fabulous.” Although Larry is presenting a tribute show he added, “I don’t consider myself an impersonator. I do look like him and sound like him, but it is a TRIBUTE show.”

I asked Larry why he does it. He responded, “I just like the excitement. When that music starts I get in my own world. I want to ultimately end up doing a show in Las Vegas.”  I asked him for any advice for young aspiring performers. The Mag stated, “You’ve got to have your heart in it. Keep pursuing it.”

I would strongly encourage everyone to take a trip down memory lane. Feb 9, 2008 enjoy a professional nostalgic trip in to 30 years of Rod Stewart in the Historic Showroom Lounge.

 

For more information on Larry Maglinger AKA “The Mag,” visit: LarryMaglinger.com

 

For info on the show go to: TheRivermont.com.

 

“INFATUATION”

Larry Maglinger’s tribute to 30 Years of Rod Stewart

*Valentine’s Weekend Getaway*

Saturday, Feb 9, 2008

Showroom Lounge

Tickets: $10 / Overnight Packages: $130

 

That’s all for now! Again – HAPPY NEW YEAR and I’ll catch you next month with yet another tale of a hometown musical hero!