Feature Story & Photos By Larry H. Oskin
The Clermont Performing Art Center’s Mainstage was host to The Hit Men performing many top rock and roll hits from the 60’s to today. The Hit Men came here to Clermont for their first national concert tour performance after a challenging 13-month COVID-19 hiatus. The Hit Men are a rotating team of five brilliant musicians and singers who toured and recorded with some of the biggest stars in music. This talented team performed with stars like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Sting, Styx, Cheap Trick, The Rascals, The Who, Journey, Foreigner, Grand Funk, Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens and Frankie Valli. They celebrated their biggest career hits, while performing songs like ‘Levon’, ‘Layla’, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, ‘Children Behave’, ‘You’re A Rich Girl’, ‘Change’, ‘Heartbreaker’, ‘I want to know what Love Is’, ‘Feels Like the First Time’, ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Happy Together’, ‘I Want You to Want Me’, ‘I Think We Are Alone Now’, ‘Eye in The Sky’ and many more big award-winning songs.
Between them, they have helped record more than 85 hit albums over a big two-hour concert without any break. Led by drummer and lead vocalist Steve Murphy, they shared memories, stories and songs that really drew big applause. In 2019, members of The Hit Men were recognized by the Musician’s Hall of Fame in Nashville with the organization’s first ever Road Warrior Award. With years of dedication to music and the countless performances across the globe, they helped earn numerous Emmys, Grammys and other music industry awards.
Clermont Performing Art Center’s Mainstage has been home to numerous legendary acts from Broadway and bluegrass, opera to comedy, famous stars from the worlds of rock and roll, theater, movies and television. This 1000 seat auditorium theater is the largest in Lake County, yet offers an intimate setting that you just can’t find anywhere else.
Upcoming CPAC Shows: Winter Dance Party will perform on May 1. John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party is the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Each live concert performance includes over two hours of unbridled, high voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the 50’s era. The Golden Gals will be on stage May 14 featuring Ginger Minj as Blanche, Gidget Galore as Rose, MR MS Adrien as Sophia, Divine Grace as Dorothy and special guest Doug Ba’aser as they recreate three original Golden Girls episodes. The Little Mermen will be on stage June 5. The Little Mermen are the Disney cover band. The band’s repertoire covers all 82 years of the Disney repertoire including favorites from “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins” and “Frozen.” They are encouraging guests of all ages to dress up as their favorite Disney character or princess! Besides Mainstage Performances, be sure to check out all of the additional entertainment with their Friday Night at the Black Box and You Are Still There series.
The Clermont Performing Arts Center has a most entertaining season planned with classics from the world of theater, music and pop culture. Seasonal subscriptions offer a 15% discount with priority reserved seating for 10 or more shows. Tickets for all shows are on sale now and can be purchased at https://clermontperformingarts.com/ or by calling 352-394-4800.
