By Steve Birmingham
Pontoon Beach, IL -- Come celebrate Bobby's last dance Saturday, January 15 when Bob Wente presents The Z Band at Tri-City Speedway's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Racing Series "Night of Champions."
With the sale of Tri-City Speedway to G&G Motorsports soon to be completed, this is track owner and promoter Bob Wente's last party, and since Bobby will soon be leaving the building, he's bringing a few of his special friends to the "party of the decade" to entertain his loyal supporters, customers, fans and friends.
Led by former Mama's Pride bassist and vocalist Joe Turek, The Z Band performs a variety of private and public functions at nightclubs and venues throughout the area. As a founding member of the Pride of St. Louis, Joe Turek recorded two albums with Mama's Pride and toured on a national level with Bob Seger, The Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, Kansas, Wet Willie, Loggins and Messina, Stephen Stills, The Atlanta Rhythm Section and Head East.
The Z Band includes Jim Stonebraker, the former leader of "Stonebraker" and a favorite of past Tri-City Nights of Champions, on lead guitar and vocals; Roy Hessling, on keyboards, vocals and "Elvis; former "Stonebraker" drummer Denny Wilkerson; Melissa on vocals; Tom O'Brien on sax and flute; and Kevin Rauscher on trumpet.
The Z band's makeup reflects the group's strong individual band memberships that include The King of Hearts Band, Magna Crunch, Butch Wax & the Hollywoods, The Imperi-als, Night Riders, Purple Martin, The Malibus, Collections, Showcase, Starfire, Midnight Pass, Backstreet and Brown, Beans and Ham.
The group's huge playlist ensures an intense night of dancing and includes diverse dance and party favorites from the 1940s through the 1990s. The Z Band's energetic delivery, great vocals and harmonies and lively, engaging performances, highlighting Swing, R&B, Motown, Pop and Classic Rock, means the The Z Band promises a polished performance and an exhilarating experience.
A special attraction featured by the The Z Band features Elvis. "The King," as performed by Roy Hessling in full costume, offers up a tribute to the music and life of Elvis Presley. It's enough to make everyone crave peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
2004 Track champions in the Dodge Ironman Late Model, Mountain Dew Sportsman, Budweiser Modified, Domino's Street Stock and Auto Trader Factory Stock divisions will be honored. Point funds will be distributed and trophies will be awarded to the Top 10 in each division. Special Recognition awards will also be presented.
Tickets are $25 per person and includes a full dinner buffet and beer. To reserve your tables order now at (636) 947-7287. Mastercard and VISA are accepted. A limited number of single tickets will be available at the door.
Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4225 Old Alton Rd., in Granite City, Staging (Happy Hour) begins at 5 p.m. with Dinner at 7 p.m., Awards Presentations at 7 p.m. and The Z Band entertaining at 9 p.m.
Pontoon Beach, IL -- Come celebrate Bobby's last dance Saturday, January 15 when Bob Wente presents The Z Band at Tri-City Speedway's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Racing Series "Night of Champions."
With the sale of Tri-City Speedway to G&G Motorsports soon to be completed, this is track owner and promoter Bob Wente's last party, and since Bobby will soon be leaving the building, he's bringing a few of his special friends to the "party of the decade" to entertain his loyal supporters, customers, fans and friends.
Led by former Mama's Pride bassist and vocalist Joe Turek, The Z Band performs a variety of private and public functions at nightclubs and venues throughout the area. As a founding member of the Pride of St. Louis, Joe Turek recorded two albums with Mama's Pride and toured on a national level with Bob Seger, The Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, Kansas, Wet Willie, Loggins and Messina, Stephen Stills, The Atlanta Rhythm Section and Head East.
The Z Band includes Jim Stonebraker, the former leader of "Stonebraker" and a favorite of past Tri-City Nights of Champions, on lead guitar and vocals; Roy Hessling, on keyboards, vocals and "Elvis; former "Stonebraker" drummer Denny Wilkerson; Melissa on vocals; Tom O'Brien on sax and flute; and Kevin Rauscher on trumpet.
The Z band's makeup reflects the group's strong individual band memberships that include The King of Hearts Band, Magna Crunch, Butch Wax & the Hollywoods, The Imperi-als, Night Riders, Purple Martin, The Malibus, Collections, Showcase, Starfire, Midnight Pass, Backstreet and Brown, Beans and Ham.
The group's huge playlist ensures an intense night of dancing and includes diverse dance and party favorites from the 1940s through the 1990s. The Z Band's energetic delivery, great vocals and harmonies and lively, engaging performances, highlighting Swing, R&B, Motown, Pop and Classic Rock, means the The Z Band promises a polished performance and an exhilarating experience.
A special attraction featured by the The Z Band features Elvis. "The King," as performed by Roy Hessling in full costume, offers up a tribute to the music and life of Elvis Presley. It's enough to make everyone crave peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
2004 Track champions in the Dodge Ironman Late Model, Mountain Dew Sportsman, Budweiser Modified, Domino's Street Stock and Auto Trader Factory Stock divisions will be honored. Point funds will be distributed and trophies will be awarded to the Top 10 in each division. Special Recognition awards will also be presented.
Tickets are $25 per person and includes a full dinner buffet and beer. To reserve your tables order now at (636) 947-7287. Mastercard and VISA are accepted. A limited number of single tickets will be available at the door.
Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4225 Old Alton Rd., in Granite City, Staging (Happy Hour) begins at 5 p.m. with Dinner at 7 p.m., Awards Presentations at 7 p.m. and The Z Band entertaining at 9 p.m.
