Neil Diamond Tribute at the Fraze

Singer Jay White has been presenting an in-demand tribute to Neil Diamond since the early 1980s. However, his work took on greater significance in January when the legendary singer announced his retirement from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

When White brings his Sweet Caroline Tour to Fraze Pavilion in Kettering on Saturday, Aug. 25, he’ll be joined by three key members of Diamond’s touring band: King Errisson (conga, percussion), Mark LeVang (keyboards) and Bill Cinque (bass).

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Proceeds benefit Parkinson Support & Wellness.

Errisson, who worked with Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and other Motown acts, was a member of Diamond’s touring band from 1976 until the singer’s recent retirement. He and White were both home in Las Vegas recently when they jumped on a conference call to discuss their shared musical history.

White: "I saw my first Neil Diamond concert in 1978, in Detroit, Mich., where I grew up. To have even one of those guys playing on stage with me is a dream come true. King and I met about 15 years ago. He saw me performing in the production show I was doing here in Vegas called Legends in Concert. We met after that show and chatted a little bit. He said, 'If you ever want me to come out and play with you, I'd be happy to do that.' We did our first show together about 15 years ago and whenever he's available, King goes out with us."

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Errisson: "It's fun to go out with Jay to play Neil's music. I don't do it all the time but whenever Jay needs me, I go with him and it's always a good time. I enjoy doing it and I don't want to lay around and get terribly old and not do anything."

White: "King adds a real dynamic to the show. Normally, if you have a couple of guitar players, a drummer and a keyboard player, it has a nice sound and can produce a nice show but when you add somebody of King's talent and abilities to the rest of the instrumentation, it really adds a new flavor to each song."

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Errisson: "It's very cool Jay is doing it because he's the closest thing to Neil of anybody else who tries to sing it. I like doing it because it goes over very well. Jay is definitely the number one Neil Diamond tribute act in the world. Neil isn't going to be going on any more tours so there's room for Jay to fill that gap."

HOW TO GO

What: The Sweet Caroline Tour: Neil Diamond Tribute featuring Jay White and King Errisson

Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25

Cost: $19.50-$149 in advance, $24.50-$154 day of show. Proceeds benefit Parkinson Support & Wellness

More info: 937-296-3300 or www.fraze.com

Artist info: americasdiamondlive.com

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