When it came to Jeremy James’s career choice, love won in the end.
“My grandmother said I couldn’t major in theater because I’d never make a living at it. So, I majored in advertising,” said James, whose grandmother paid for his education.
But a love of music and theater led him to be part of college productions, choral groups and community theater. And it has impacted multiple major life choices not just his career.
“I met my wife singing doo-wop at Mel’s Drive-in at Universal,” said James, part of the Atlantic City Boys, who will be in concert Wednesday at the Hardin Performing Arts Center. He and his wife run Entertainment Central Productions.
If the name Atlantic City Boys immediately causes thoughts of Jersey Boys – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, then his grandmother’s advice helped him out and that advertising degree has earned its keep.
Just like the famous Jersey Boys, some members of the band hail from New Jersey, and they sing a lot from the Four Seasons as well as other individuals and groups who had doo-wop hits in the 1950s and 1960s. For the Christmas concert, the quartet will bring a blend of Christmas songs reminiscent of that era such as the Drifters’ White Christmas and the Beach Boys’ Little Saint Nick.
“One of the biggest compliments we get from our audience members is ‘you took me right back to another time.’ I think music has the power to do that,” he said.
James said he loves music from that era because of what takes place vocally.
“Compared to music of today, there’s not a lot of harmony and music happening with interesting bridges and interesting voices,” he said.
And when it comes to the songs specifically of the Four Seasons, there’s a lot of vocal gymnastics taking place.
“Bob Gaudio (a founding member of the Four Season) would take regular harmony on the verse and flip everyone up on the chorus,” he said. “It’s really challenging and fun, and it’s impressive when you lock those harmonies, and the crowd goes wild.”
The Atlantic City Boys have performed in the area before, but the last time the group was here was just after the COVID restrictions began to lighten. There were a lot of empty seats at the time, and the group was limited in its performance opportunity.
“We do tend to go into the crowd and have people sing along. There are a couple of volunteer bits. It makes every show interesting and unique,” he said.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $44.95. For tickets go here or call (706) 726-0366.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
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