Errol Dante
Connie Francis
Errol Dante
Footlighters Honor SARGE with Shecky Green Lifetime Achievement Award
by Stephen Sorokoff Mar. 18, 2019
The Footlighters Club was ground zero for Comedy yesterday as Freddie Roman, Dick Capri, Scott Record and Rick Corso celebrated one of their peers, the acclaimed entertainer Sarge who is one of the most admired improvisational comedians, singer and musical piano savant in show business. President and producer of the event Errol Dante started off the afternoon with his stirring rendition of Granada but then it was all laughs as the jokes flew wild and feverishly and there were probably more laughs at the Miami Shores Country Club per square inch than any other place on the planet. The humor heard at the Footlighters event must out of political correctness necessity stay inside the Footlighters but rest assured no one was left unscathed.
Mark Friedman served as musical director and Leo Goldner presented the Shecky Green Lifetime Achievement Award to "Sarge". Music was by the Bobby Barnett Orchestra.
For show-biz savvy Floridians the Footlighters is the place to be to experience the glory days of the Friars Club's type of entertainment.
Sarge is an extraordinary entertainer. A triple threat. A musical piano savant, amazing improvisational comedian and singer.
Now, an author, with the imminent release of "I'm Still Standing Up", which traces his hilarious, inspirational life of twists and turns, ups and downs. Sarge is a highly sought after motivational speaker and for the last 7 years has been working in treatment centers and recovery residences bringing a revolutionary and groundbreaking modality of "Comedy Therapy" to people suffering from addiction with incredible results. His first comedy recovery film "Sarge Behind Bars" shot entirely on location of the Casper Wyoming Reentry Prison, has been selected for award consideration at the upcoming "REEL Recovery Film Festival" in New York and Los Angeles slated for October of this year.
SARGE is an entertainer who has performed worldwide to adoring audiences. His sidesplitting comedy, touching vocals and stunning display of dexterity as a pianist have wowed crowds for decades.
The Footlighters Club is an organization created in 1956 by two entertainers, Leon Fields and Hal Fisher, for the purpose of bringing together entertainers and musicians for fun, friendship and fellowship. From the initiation of this idea emanated a club of over 500 members that represented every phase of show business.
Over the years, Footlighters Club is proud to have had honored such members as: Tony Bennett, Red Buttons, Jack Carter, Sammy Davis Jr., Maurice Chevalier, Pat Cooper, Norm Crosby, Red Fox, Connie Francis, Robert Goulet, Shecky Green, Jackie Mason, Jerry Lewis, Tony Martin, Don Rickles, Sid Caesar, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Woody Woodbury, Henny Youngman, Neil Sedaka, Trini Lopez, Ben E King, and many more celebrities
Little Anthony Presented With Lifetime Achievement Award By The Footlighters Club
The Footlighters Club presented their Entertainer of The Year and Lifetime Achievement Award to Little Anthony (Gourdine) at a fundraiser for The Footlighters Foundation which aids indigent entertainers and musicians yesterday and Broadwayworld attended.
Little Anthony and the Imperials were one of the most successful doo-wop groups of the 1950's and remained on the pop charts throughout the 1960's and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Little Anthony was known for his high pitched voice and one of his biggest fans John Lloyd Young sent in a video greeting from the stage of Cafe Carlyle where he is currently appearing. Cousin Brucie also sent in his congratulations from his SIRUS radio perch.
The Footlighters, which is celebrating it's 61st anniversary is "For People Who Love Show Business" and Errol Dante it's president produced the event. Legendary comics Steve Solomon, Dick Capri, and Stewie Stonekept the full house of South Floridians laughing and The Footlighters Orchestra directed by Mark Friedman supplied an authentic doo-wop overture and accompanied The Rhythm Chicks and Harmony Street. After accepting his award Little Anthony thrilled the crowd with a few songs of that great era.
All show biz roads,(especially I95) led to The Footlighters of South Florida yesterday, and as Stewie Stone remarked....When I asked an elderly gentleman for directions how do you get to 95, he replied "Don't Eat Meat".
Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff