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Doo-Wop Group To Perform For Boxer Group

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Legends of Doo-Wop will appear on Feb. 10 at Spartan Manor, New Port Richey, at a benefit for the Florida Boxer Rescue, a non profit organization caring for boxer dogs in need. From left are Jimmy Gallagher, Tommy Mara, Steve Horn and Frank Mancuso.

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: January 30, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - A nationally known doo-wop group will bring a combined 160 years of musical experience to help animals at an event benefiting Florida Boxer Rescue.

On Sunday, Feb. 10, the Legends of Doo-Wop will present the mellow sounds that earned them a spot on the PBS programs "Doo-Wop 50" and "More Doo-Wop 50."

"We're all animal lovers," said member Tommy Mara. "That's the main reason we accepted."

The four-man Legends was formed in 1998 by Steve Horn, whose musical roots go back to the Bronx group Five Sharks.

Another New Yorker, Frank Mancuso, was one of the founding members of the Imaginations. One of their singles made the New York charts but the group was limited in its ability to work because two of its members were minors.

The third member, Jimmy Gallagher, was formerly a member of the Brooklyn group The Passions, whose "Just To Be With You" made the national charts.

Also a New Yorker, Mara rounds out the group. He was formerly a member of the local group The Saints and lists Southern rock and country music among his musical repertoire.

All of the men now live in Florida.

Accompanied by a four-member band, the Legends of Doo-Wop keep busy doing the Florida circuit in the winter and local festivals and cruises at other times, said Mara.

Mara waxes nostalgic about doo-wop. "We use our vocal chords to make harmony. They are amazing instruments."

Even after almost half a century of being on stage, all the men still love to entertain, Mara noted. "We have a lot of camaraderie with the audience, a lot of audience participation, a lot of fun on stage."

The group agreed to do the show after hearing tales of abused and sick animals from Florida Boxer Rescue's volunteer Candee Franco, organizer of the event.

Since the nonprofit group was formed in 2000, it has found homes for more than 2,000 boxers, according to its Web site. The organization's annual veterinarian bills come to $150,000, Franco noted.

Being purebred dogs does not protect boxers from becoming homeless and sometimes abused, Franco observed.

In addition to entertainment for Legends, ticket prices include dinner.

There will be a silent auction of high-end gift baskets featuring wine, a $200 car-detailing certificate and portraits by a professional photographer.

Tickets are $50 and $45 . They must be bought in advance.

Doors open at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey.

Call Franco at 727-858-5627 for tickets.

For more information on the boxer rescue group, go to its Web site and on Legends, go to Web site.

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