From Staff Reports
From Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond to Dean Martin and Carl Perkins, Steve Waddington can sing and sound like more rock, pop and country greats than one can imagine.
Waddington will perform the hits of those four, as well as Buddy Holly, Johnny Rivers and others, in his Retro-Rockin’ All-Stars show at 6:45 p.m. April 8 at the Hi-Desert Center for Spiritual Living, 18575 Corwin Road in Apple Valley.
Waddington, who started his professional career in the 1970s as the front man for the Northern California-based rock ‘n’ roll show band CRUIS’N, has played casinos, festivals, car shows, performing arts centers and everywhere in between. He also has appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and acted on television shows and in movies.
He sat down with the Daily Press to talk about the journey that brought him to where he is today, regarded as the best multi-artist tribute performer in the nation.
DP: Do you strive to sound exactly like the artists you cover?
SW: I have worked really hard on re-creating the original recordings of all of the artists I impersonate and I sound very much like them. In fact, I’ve had people accuse me of lip-syncing. But I assure you, it’s my own voice.
Overall, I try to be as well-rounded as I can with my impersonations and not only sound like these entertainers but also portray their larger-than-life personas.
DP: Obviously people love to hear the music of Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond, but are there any other artists you impersonate people really respond to?
SW: Whether it’s “Mountain of Love” or “Secret Agent Man,” people go crazy over Johnny Rivers’ songs. I’m one of the few guys doing those songs and people always tell me how much they appreciate hearing them.
DP: Do you have a mission behind what you do?
SW: There’s nothing I enjoy more than playing music for people from the golden age of entertainment. Audiences deserve to hear those old songs performed at the highest level possible and that’s something me and my band strive for in every performance.
DP: What aspect of your show are you most proud of?
SW: All of my band members have played with heavyweights in the music industry. They are phenomenal and audiences always walk away from our shows completely blown away by what they experienced.
DP: What is your greatest memory as a tribute artist?
DP: A whole bunch of Johnny Cash’s family members came out to see my show one time and they said I sounded more like him than any other tribute artist they’ve ever heard. It was quite a compliment and I’ll never forget it.
DP: What are your goals for the future?
SW: We’re just going to keep on playing to people who appreciate it for as long as possible. I’m sticking with the retro stuff and so far, it’s been working out beautifully.
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In addition to Waddington and his band, Bonnie Raitt tribute artist Susan Ritter will perform at the April 8 concert.
Ritter is a veteran entertainer who has headlined shows in Las Vegas and across the U.S. In addition to her singing, the Ohio native also is a songwriter and an accomplished guitar player.
Indie country/folk artist Luanne Hunt of Hesperia will open the show. Hunt will perform several of her chart-topping singles, including “Solace in the Wind” and “Bluer Than the Bluegrass.”
Tickets to Steve Waddington & The Retro-Rockin’ All-Stars are $35 per person. Seating is open. All in attendance will receive a free copy of Hunt’s CD, “How Christmas Feels to Me.”
To reserve, call 760-684-9622, 760-242-2302 or visit https://www.ticketriver.com/event/19137
To learn more about Waddington, visit www.stevewaddingtonmusic.com