FALMOUTH – Horns, guitars and rockin’ percussion mixed with blue skies and sunshine to create the sweetest kind of summertime Cape Cod vibe on Saturday – and it was a nostalgic one at that for those of a certain age.
Saturday was the 2014 version of the Reunions of Summers Past at Marina Park, a concert featuring Jersey shore music, said Don Cross, one of the organizers of the event. It was the second such event, organized by Cross and Tim Smith. Last year, the event was billed as a Casino-By-The-Sea reunion, an ode to an long-gone beach bar that is in many hearts. “This year, we’ve taken it a step beyond,” said Cross.
Last year’s event benefited the Police Athletic League. All money raised, including from corporate sponsors, goes to a cause, said Cross. This year, the money went to the Mass Fallen Heroes, a fund for families who have lost someone in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Never forget,” Maryann Stevlo told Cape Cod Wave. Her nephew, Army Pvt. First Class Clinton Springer died in Afghanistan on September 24, 2010. “never forget the sacrifice they made so we could be free,” she said.
On this day, at least, the performers and the atmosphere helped everyone remember. Two standouts were Sgt. Daniel M. Clark of the State Police, AKA “The Singing Trooper,” who sang a stirring version of the Star Spangled Banner, as well as other odes to the military. And Steve Smith and the Nakeds – a Cape Cod Wave favorite for decades, saluted the military extensively, including a nice version of “God Bless America.”
But it was the music, the horns and guitars and soulful sounds of so many fun yesterdays that really brought the crowd to its feet, and then to dance. Cross said 1,500 to 2,000 people attended throughout the day, and that, with corporate sponsors, they raised close to $50,000 for Mass Fallen Heroes.
Dancing was not so popular in the mid-day sun, but as the day wore on, well… look at these pictures.
And…
Here is a video Entrain from the concert.
And here is a video of John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown BandJohn Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band from the concert.
Also, here is how Cape Cod Wave covered last year’s concert.
– If you like Cape Cod music, here is a story that Cape Cod Wave did on the Cape Cod original music scene. We interviewed 20 musicians, four club owners, and two radio deejays – Cape Cod Music And The Joy Of Being Originally Alive
And here is a link to our growing collection of local music videos – 2-Minute Video
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– Brian Tarcy
