This is a new section of Ricci’s website for all of you fans that haven’t been able to get to the shows yet or have been and might just want to relive it a bit. My name is Joanne and my page here is to make you feel a part of the whole experience. I still recommend everyone see the show personally to get a real feel but I’ll try and make you feel as if you were there! This will be your journey into life on the road with Ricci and the “Pack”!

Hello Ricci Fans!

This next installment of my travel blog takes us to Las Vegas and the very gorgeous Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Summerlin, Nevada. I had caught Ricci and “the Pack” there last summer on my first trip out to Summerlin and loved the hotel! When I found they were playing again this year I immediately booked my flight for a return visit.

Las Vegas Nevada, May 16-19th, 2008

May 16th, 2008 – I had arrived late the night before to a very steamy Nevada evening. I was informed by the hotel desk clerk when I checked in that the band had come in much earlier and were probably tucked into their beds as my arrival at the hotel was a bit past 1a.m. After a very well rested few hours I was greeted by a very bright and sunny morning, the windows from my room reflecting the tropical pool 3 floors below.

Feeling my empty belly rumbling I went down to the Casino restaurant with Bobby Figueroa where he treated me to a wonderful breakfast in the cafe! I asked to follow Bobby around the gaming floor for a few hours where he very patiently showed me how to play electronic Poker and Keno. Although I’m sure he didn’t expect me to become a gambling prodigy I was worse than expected. I left empty handed, but I sure had a lot of fun playing making sure I went back often to try again. He then talked me into coming over to the horse betting area where he showed me how to wager on the races, but in the end I was only picking the horses with the cute names with only mild success.

That afternoon was the band’s sound check. The Suncoast’s room is set up in a half moon style with three levels of tables and padded booths that reminded me of photographs of old Las Vegas showrooms I’ve seen. The backdrop was black with a very roomy stage and plenty of room for Ricci to do his leaps during “That’s Amore”. While the band arrived and began to tune their instruments, I was introduced to Ricci’s daughter Montana. Ricci and Montana were getting to spend some special father/daughter time together on this trip which I thought was absolutely fabulous. She was very shy at the beginning and has the most beautiful smile! Both of us girls stuck around to watch the band run the show in a full rehearsal which ran a bit longer than usual because of all the joking and teasing that went on between them.

Jimi Seville was greeted once again with his new moniker he received on the last trip, Bubbles. Always a good sport, Jimi laughed with the others while they called him that He even commented that at least he didn’t miss rehearsal this time for a soak in the Jacuzzi like in Toronto when the name was bestowed upon him. Jimi wasn’t the only one to be razzed; they all ribbed each other good naturedly with even Ricci being on the receiving end a few times. They also casually threw out one liners which every now and then make it into the show. For example Wayne’s quest to always find another Sam to throw into “Sam’s Song”. Most nights he uses Sam Giancana but he’s always looking for another one to throw in there.

            Once rehearsal came to an end we all had time to catch an early meal. A pre-show dinner was enjoyed by me and Bobby F. in the fabulous buffet right there in the hotel. It was seafood night and the selections were overwhelming! So much to choose from I didn’t know where to start! Joining us midway through dinner were Bobby Zarate and his lovely lady Janie who seemed to be enjoying the buffet just as much as we were!

Once dinner was over and everyone needed to get ready for the evening’s show we split up and were to meet in Ricci’s room at 7pm so we could all walk down together. Everyone arrived fairly prompt and we got a chance to take a few photos while waiting for hotel security to arrive to escort us down to the showroom. We were taken down in the service elevator, a big steel shiny box that looked as if it could hold 50 people. We walked through the back hallways, past the kitchens down several sets of steps to the secret entrance of the showroom. This was very exciting for me in an odd way because it gave me a feeling of what it was like for the performers and bands of long ago and how they would have to sneak in to get to their shows.

I was privileged to be able to sit with Bobby Figueroa’s sister and brother in law Friday night. They live in Las Vegas and came to see Bobby perform with Ricci’s band for the first time! Friday night’s audience was probably of the three the most wound up and vocal. I say that in the most positive of ways. The Q&A session was a bit longer and the participants a bit giddier. Ricci relayed to the audience on his stroke of luck that morning on one of the slot machines and the tidy little sum he won on the jackpot. I sure could have used some of that luck and will have to remember next time we are all in Las Vegas to have him lean up against one of my machines to see if his luck rubs off!

It was during the Q&A that Ricci had Montana come out from the stage wings so he could introduce her. A little hesitant about it that first night, Sunday she had it down and was a pro at gliding out on stage and giving her Dad a smooch. The band had even decided after Friday night’s show that she should have her own theme music play as she walked out and promptly put together a little ditty for her…“Satin Doll”. Ricci had left pretty quickly after the show was over since he had extended family in the audience that night. Bobby Z, Wayne, Bobby Figueroa, and Jimi all attacked the spread laid out for them in the green room refusing to waste so much good food. They all had sandwiches stacked several inches high that they were taking back to their rooms for a midnight snack!

            May 17th, 2008 - Saturday morning was another blazing hot day in Nevada. The pool, I observed from my window was the place to be in just such heat. I packed up my sunblock and a pair of sunglasses and joined Bobby Figueroa out on the sundeck near the pool. Lucky for me the bartender at the poolside bar had the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the TV and kept me updated on the score of the Detroit/Dallas series. (I’m a huge hockey fan!) By early afternoon however, the sun was just too hot and my team didn’t win that game so I slunk off to drown my sorrows in a blueberry pie at the buffet along with Jimi and Bobby F. (Who are not hockey fans, but had sympathy for me.)

Saturday night we were minus Wayne on our walk down to the showroom from Ricci’s room. He told Ricci he wanted to take care of some things before the show, and by the time we reached the backstage area, found out what it was. Wayne was holed up in the dressing room with a huge plate of food from the catering table having a pre-show meal! We caught him in mid chomp, and he endured some hearty ribbing for it. He commented afterwards to the boys that at least he wasn’t going to be the one starving after the show.

The show, spectacular as it usually is even had a celebrity in the audience that night. Elvis was sitting amongst the fans and even asked a question during the Q&A. Actually it was a Elvis impersonator who was a huge fan of Dean Martin and seemed to be really excited to be there.  By the time I arrived back in the green room the other guys must have taken Wayne’s words to heart since they were all stacking cheeses, pickles and assorted meats on several stacks of bread wrapped up in napkins to take up to their rooms.

         May 18th, 2008 - Sunday began pretty much as Saturday had down at the pool. Bobby and I returned to the sweltering air outside the hotel, to cool off in the bathwater temperature water. This only lasted an hour before we were all ushered to the side while they set up for a Polynesian Party around the pool surface. Jimi had heard the music from his room and had come out to see what it was all about and joined us at our table to watch the colorful dancers and performers. We were treated to some Polynesian food, and some more recognizable fare such as hot dogs and hamburgers. We spent quite some time out there watching the festivities before the full sun got to be too much and I wanted to relax before show time.  Bobby and Jimi headed off to the horse race wagers while I headed up to my room. Jimi doesn’t gamble, but he was curious about how Bobby went about picking his horses. Bobby is usually pretty good at picking horses, but I think he only broke even on them that day.
At Sunday evening’s show, and a very packed house it was that night, I was surprised to run into some familiar faces! Longtime friends of the band and fairly new friends of mine were Daniel and Marilyn Rutherford. I was so pleased to see them and knew the rest of the guys would be as well.

I knew it was a probability that Ricci would leave right after the show was over so he and Montana could spend more quality time together, so I brought Marilyn and Daniel backstage so they could say hi. Ricci, Wayne and Bobby Figueroa all go back to the late 60’s/70’s with Marilyn and were very surprised to see them since they had driven over from the Los Angeles area without telling anyone. Lots of hugs and kisses later it was show time and Daniel, Marilyn and I went back to our seats in the showroom. I sat with Janie in the second row and we giggled out loud during the band intros when Bobby Zarate came out in his sunglasses to take his bows. Ricci got a standing ovation all three nights and I got to hear lots of positive murmurings in the crowd as they departed. Most of which were usually on Ricci’s great voice or how young he looks and what a fantastic show he puts on.

Janie and I headed backstage and I asked Marilyn and Daniel if they wanted to come back again too. They joined us and as expected Ricci and Montana had already left, but the rest of us that were there stayed to enjoy the buffet in the green room and chat about how great the weekend turned out.

Monday morning I was on my way back home to Michigan with a nice little suntan and a big smile on my face.

Toronto, ONT Canada. March 27th-28th, 2008;

            Hello Everyone,
Thursday, March 27th 2008 - On our first stop on the road we arrive at the Old Mill Inn and Spa in Toronto. The band having arrived from the west coast the night before, were well rested and I’m sure ready to get show day moving.

Upon my arrival at the beautiful Tudor style hotel nestled into a park like setting in the midst of Toronto I found a very quiet lobby with a roaring fireplace burning. Off to my right as I entered was Jimi Seville checking his emails on the hotel computer! I waved hello and headed on up to my room.
 The band had a two night engagement in the Main Dining Room beginning that evening; which upon my inspection at lunch later that afternoon, would give diners a very intimate and up close performance of Ricci and the band. The tables flanked the stage on all ends so I knew everyone would have a great view after they dined on their meals.
Around 5pm the band had gathered for their sound check. I hadn’t seen them since the Florida tour back in January and lots of hugs and kisses soon followed my arrival, and I even got a few too!

While the sound men set up the stage Wayne Tweed, who is the real new father in the band showed all of us photos of his new daughter on his ipod. (An inside joke you would know if you have seen the show!) A short while later they were all on stage warming up the equipment getting ready to test that everything was good to go for later on. Wayne is the perfect Musical Director. He loves to rehearse. In fact when they do the whole set in rehearsal he’s the most eager to get it done. Seriously, he’s the most eager to have it done, the sooner the better; especially when there is a warm dinner waiting to be served to them in the adjoining atrium.

I was lucky enough to share dinner with them and it was superb. The Salmon there is the best I’ve ever had. If you ever get there, be sure to try it. Ricci joined us for a short while, but he doesn’t eat before the show, ever.  Bobby Zarate, or Z as he is known in the band, made sure that Ricci’s portion didn’t go to waste and wrapped it up for an after show treat. Z however didn’t stick around for dessert because he needed to go get dressed for the show and was very disappointed to find out later that he missed out on a chocolate something that everyone left at the table devoured. Bobby Figueroa ate mine since I was way too full to eat any more!

A quick departure from the dinner table and everyone made their way to go don their tuxes for the evening; except for me that is. I don’t particularly look good in a tux, so I opted for business casual. They do however all look very handsome in their evening attire. Next time you attend one of Ricci’s show, take notice of all their handkerchiefs. They all wear different colors. Although if you want to know the color of Wayne’s you will have to ask him since everyone else has a different name for the color he wears. My personal opinion is eggshell. Before each night’s show, the band convened up in the Green Room which sat above the diners in a loft type setting where they went over a few minor details pre-show.

The Lighting and Video crew was based up in this loft and had a clear shot of the stage for the spotlight to shine down on Ricci. This first night the crowd was a bit quieter than the second night, but had produced some of the most interesting questions Ricci has been asked during his Q&A sessions. (You will just have to attend a show to hear some of the interesting questions and some just as interesting if not humorous answers. Telling them here does not do it justice!)

While the band took the stage I plotted where I would plant myself so I could take photos. Next to the Green Room was an unused balcony that must be used when the adjoining conference rooms are full. It was ideal for me to view the show, the audience reaction and be out of everyone’s way. I was however not the only one up there enjoying the show. Several members of the staff joined me at various points of the evening, probably even a few that shouldn’t have been taking a break to watch the show unfold. I heard several of the female staff sighing and gushing over Ricci. He definitely had his own fan club up in that balcony for the evening. Things were going well that evening until right after the intermission. A loud crash thundered down from the Green Room right before Ricci took the stage again. Running over to the steps from the Green Room to the stage I was a little hesitant to find out what it could be. Having all sorts of bad images of the band splayed all over the steps with trays of food poured on them crossed my mind but had come to see that the large spotlight had tumbled down and was now unusable. The setback was this was the only spotlight they had for the night, so the second show was a bit on the dark side. The audience didn’t seem to mind as most of them were already relaxed and had a few cocktails. Being that the room was pretty intimate as well made this not such a miserable second half due to the lighting issue.

 Friday, March 28th – The day began pretty slow. The temperature outside still felt like winter and there was still some snow on the ground but I was feeling a little claustrophobic. I assumed that everyone in the band would be hibernating in their rooms since all but Ricci are not used to the harsher winter climates. I personally thought it would be a wonderful day to take a drive downtown and I asked Bobby Figueroa to accompany me. We had a really great Fish and Chips lunch at one of the many Firkin English Pubs in the area. We also hit major rush hour traffic on our way back to the Old Mill Inn and arrived pretty close to 5pm. On our way back in we took a stroll through the main room to see that all the sound equipment had been broken down from the night before, and well knew that could cause a problem with that night’s show if everything had to be readjusted again. Bobby called Ricci and they agreed that they should have an impromptu sound check just to make sure.

Everyone showed up at sound check but Jimi Seville. They waited about 20 minutes and still no Jimi. I volunteered to go see if he was up in his room and to let him know they were waiting for him. I could hear some noise from the inside of his room, but no one came to the door. I went back to my room and called him. Jimi answered the phone pretty quickly and immediately explained he had been sitting in the Jacuzzi tub taking a bubble bath! When he explained this to the band when he reached the sound check, he was promptly nicknamed “Bubbles” Seville with Bobby Z providing bubble noises on the B3 for effect. After a very quick sound check we had another tasty dinner in the atrium where this time Bobby Z did not leave the table until he got his dessert. This time they provided us with some custard type of confection which he and Wayne made whiny noises about wanting something with chocolate. It must have paid off because only a few minutes later they each had a chocolate cake in front of them.

The Friday night audience was one of the best I’ve seen. I missed most of the Q&A since a couple who had come the night before had come back to buy a CD. The performance was already half over so I brought them up to the balcony I had been watching from and let them finish watching the rest of the show. With a fairly crowded balcony full now with wait staff, and attendees of a bridal shower who had stolen in from the next ballroom I crawled back to the Green Room where I watched with the lighting crew.
 

At the end of “Smile” the closing number of the night (And one of my favorites performed in the show) I headed over to the merchandise table, where I can usually be found when I’m in attendance to meet a whole bunch of you. I’m the one that collects your money when you buy the CD’s. I should let you all know however, that if you do want a CD you need to get to the table early. They usually sell out pretty quickly as we did both nights, so if you plan on getting one, head over quickly. And if you do want to meet Ricci after the show, he stays until everyone has gotten through the Queue and had their picture taken, autograph signed or just to say hi.

Special Hello’s go out to fans Lee and Sue who told me they came to the show with chains on their tires to make sure they didn’t get caught out in the snow! Also to Alex and his lovely lady who came for both nights so they could get pictures since she forgot her camera the first night. It was great meeting you all!

Next stop in May: Las Vegas!

Copyright (c) Ricci Martin. All rights reserved.

hostmaster: Omni Web