Las Vegas is hundreds of miles and two time zones away from western New York, but as revelers gathered at Grapevine Banquets in Buffalo to usher in the New Year, they got a taste of a Las Vegas show when Ricihe and Debbie Derwald, Marsha McWilson, and Joyce Wilson Nixon with the help of a live band, Melissa Kate, and Melanie gave a performance.
Richie channeled his many sides when he performed the music of Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Cab Callaway, Frank Sinatra, Sir Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley with “Viva Las Vegas”, “Pretty Woman”, “I Lest My Heart in San Francisco”, “That’s Amore”, “Minnie the Moocher”, “That’s Life”, “New York, New York”, “Love Me Tonight”, “I Have Nothing”, “Delilah”, “Sweet Caroline”, “America”, Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show”, “All Shook Up”, “Teddy Bear”, and “Suspicious Minds”.
Debbie took on Judy Garland, The Andrews Sisters, Barbra Streisand, and Cher with “Trolley”, “Swanee”, “Boogie Woogie Boogie Boy” – with the help of Melissa Kate and Melanie, Memories”, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” with Richie, “Gypsy”, “Dark Lady”, and with a volunteer from the audience “I Got You Babe”.
Joined on stage by her husband Jeff, Joyce Wilson Nixon mixed things up with “Smooth Operator”, “Shake Rattle and Roll”, “Dr. Feelgood”, “Drown in My Own Tears”, and “Old Time Rock and Roll”.
Marsha McWilson took the stage to perform her signature Etta James songs “Tell Mama” and “At Last”.
The night of music ended with the entire cast joining Richie on stage for a performance of “God Bless the USA”.
New Year’s Eve is a time for fun and celebration and as western New York gathered to celebrate the end of 2017, Richie Derwald and friends celebrated with a night of music and song.