James coming home to Michiana

Published 4:59 pm Monday, September 5, 2011

Tommy James is pictured with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey File photo

Before taking the stage in Michiana for the first time since 1987, Tommy James is going to do something that is equally exciting for him — take a stroll through his old neighborhood in Niles.
“Some of my friends from the old neighborhood are coming to the show, so we are going to go up to the neighborhood and walk around a little bit,” James said in an interview last month. “My typing teacher from high school lives on Broadway so we might visit her.”
The singer-songwriter was raised in a home on Broadway between 13th and 14th streets.
“Whenever I daydream, I go back to that neighborhood,” he said.
Niles is also where James cut his first hit, “Hanky Panky,” at WNIL radio’s recording studio in 1964, launching a 40-plus year music career. It was in Niles where a 12-year-old James formed his first band “The Tornadoes” and learned about music when he worked at Spin-It Record Shop.
James will perform in the Michiana area for the first time in more than 20 years when he plays the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend at 8 p.m. Friday.
James said he will try to “pack as many hits as we can in the amount of time we have” but didn’t rule out playing some new music.
Some of those hits include “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mony, Mony,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and “Sweet Cherry Wine.” James has had sold 100 million records and landed 23 gold singles and nine gold and platinum albums in his career.
He and the original members of his band the Shondells were in the recording studio recently to cut some new tracks for the upcoming movie and Broadway production based on his book “Me, the Mob and the Music.”
James and the Shondells have recorded very few songs in the past several decades.
“But it’s like riding a bike. You never forget. Each guy remembered the vocals. We barely had to rehearse,” James said. “It was incredible.”
Off all his shows this year, James said the South Bend date was circled on the calendar.
“I’m really excited about doing this show in South Bend. I always love playing at home because of the audience,” he said. “I love seeing old high school chums. After your family passes on, your friends are your family.”

Comedian to open for James
James is pleased to announce the addition of comedian Tim Walkoe as the opener for “An Evening with Tommy James and the Shondells.”
Walkoe is known for his clean and comedy that incorporates improv with music. He has been praised by the Chicago Tribune for his “rapid fire delivery and shoot from the hip style” and he has headlined at more 100 national comedy clubs, such as Funny Bones and the Comedy Store. His television credits include appearances on Showtime, HBO and a grand prize-winning appearance on ABC’s “America’s Funniest People.” He has also performed in concert with the likes of Elvis Costello and Kenny Loggins.
The concert will also provide a unique benefit to the community. The proceeds from the sale of selected Gold Pass seats will benefit Niles High School’s music department. Fans purchasing the tickets will enjoy the show from choice seats and take part in pre-show private buffet reception with James. They will also take home a signed copy of Tommy James’ double CD “40 Year Anniversary Singles Collection.”
Tickets for “An Evening with Tommy James and the Shondells” concert with comedian Tim Walkoe at Morris Performing Arts Center are on sale now and available at morriscenter.ticketforce.com or by calling (800) 537-6415.
For more information on Tommy James, visit tommyjames.com, facebook.com/TJandtheShondells or follow him on Twitter @TJShondells. More information on comedian Tim Walkoe can be found at timwalkoe.com.

If you go…

Who: Tommy James
Where: Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $39.75-$102.75; Call (574) 235-9190 or visit www.morriscenter.org
More info: www.tommyjames.com