Make TBO Your Home Page| Subscribe To The Paper| Advertise With Us| Contact Us| Login| Edit Profile| Register
Suncoast Pasco News
Email
Print
For Singer Old Songs Tell Many Stories
Cheryl Bentley/SUNCOAST NEWS
The singer known as Dino says songs of the 1950s, 60s and 70s have stories to tell.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: July 23, 2008
It's the meaning.
That's what hooked Dino about old songs for the 50s, 60s and 70s.
"They have so much of a story," he said.
When singing, Dino concentrates on the drama of the tale. "I sing with passion and love and feeling," he said.
Dino sings every Thursday at Tarpon Springs Moose Lodge, which, in spite of its name, is in Holiday, and twice a month with singer Ellen Turner at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in New Port Richey.
He has also taken his act to Carnival cruises and will do three private performances for A Step Ahead cruise group on a cruise to Panama, Belize and Costa Rica in November.
When performing, he is dressed as his musical idol Elvis Presley, even down to the hair.
"He's always telling you a story about a love affair or a time in his life," Dino said.
The King has inspired him to see himself as a musical story teller also, he noted.
Dino Fotopoulos was born in Sydney, Australia, into a musical family.
His grandmother was a singer in Tripoli, Greece. At festivals, she would sing what is called "songs of the table."
"They're about a variety of things, from freedom, to slavery, to life in general," Dino said of the songs.
His family immigrated to Chicago when he was 13.
Dino discovered the guitar when he was 16 and joined a four-piece band at 17.
He continued playing at lounges as he developed a career in real estate appraisal.
He learned early on the pleasure that music gives. "I would play in nursing homes just to make people happy," he said.
In 2003, Dino returned to Australia on his honeymoon with his wife Rita, a professional ballroom dancer.
"They love Elvis, and they love American songs," he said of the Aussies.
When not performing solo, Dino is a member of Cover to Cover, an area group that does the top 40s and doo-wop.
From 7 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, Dino performs at Tarpon Spring Moose Lodge, 1936 Abacus Road, off of Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday.
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first and last Monday every month, he and singer Ellen Turner are at the Eagles, 4556 Leisure Lane, off of Gulf Drive, New Port Richey.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
