Wade Preston Boeger
What's New:

I will be doing the rehearsals and sound checks for Billy Joel at Hershey, PA and Shea Stadium in June and July of 2008.
I will in essence, be the "stunt Billy."

"Thanks for doing this," he said to me yesterday (June 11) at SIR in NYC. "You're making my life very easy."

Thank you! It's an honor!

I'm going to do a huge benefit for the victims of Darfur on Thursday, June 12, 2008 in Larchmont, NY. I'll be playing solo. I'd give you the details, but it's sold out. But I feel good about being able to do something for those unfortunate people. We're going to raise a lot of money.

I have another solo gig at Carley's in Harrisburg, PA on Thursday, June 26 at 7pm. Can't wait. You folks have totally invigorated me.

Lot's of changes in my life these days. I'm very excited about getting back into doing my own thing!

Angelica and Wade, Piazza San Marcos, Venice, Italy, May 10, 2006
I had the pleasure of playing a gig in Venice with members of Billy Joel's band and the Movin' Out Band.
And we all brought our wives. Truly an amazing experience. I'll never forget it.

Updated June 12, 2008
Scroll down for a note about what I've been up to.
There have been recent postings of the TV performances I did with Chubby Checker in 1982 on YouTube and the links and descriptions are just below. Hilarious, I was 19 years old.
There is a new article right under the local news.
Go further for reviews of Wade on the Movin' Out Tour in 2006,
Kim and Jim KJOY radio interview (downloadable mp3),
and there are some new and old recordings added to the sounds page.
I've also been keeping a myspace page if you want to see what I'm up to at the moment. It's easier to access than this website, and I post stuff on it all the time:
http://www.myspace.com/wadepreston
Scroll to the bottom if you'd like to get on the cyber mailing list.

Click Here For
UPCOMING GIGS

NEW ON YOUTUBE.COM
Bumble Boogie at a solo concert I did at The Great Neck Performing Arts Center on Long Island, NY.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=D38VxAhrWV8

There are actually lot's of new youtube vids of Wade.
Just type Wade Preston into the youtube search engine and they should all come up.

Also, check out www.myspace.com/wadepreston and www.myspace.com/wadeprestonband

Oh yeah, and check THIS out (very funny):
I did a number of TV shows with Chubby Checker when I played keys for him as a young man in the early '80's.
Among them, the short lived Friday's on ABC. Victoria Principle was the guest host.
The three songs we did on that show have resurfaced on YouTube.com.
Remember. It was 1982, and I was 19. Victoria and I got along rather well.
Song # 1 - Running: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9ZZPpjBmhsQ
It was the '80's. The now infamous Kramer turned racist Michael Richards got his start on this program with skits like the one that starts off this song. What a great band we had. Drummer Sammy Merendino went on to do all kinds of great things, including the drum track to We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel. Roy Robertson played sax for years and went on to start one of the most successful jingle agencies in Maryland. He now owns six, count 'em, six radio stations in the DC area.
Song # 2 - Harder Than Diamonds: http://youtube.com/watch?v=poEgGqHadA8
It opens with a close-up of my hands. That was my grandfather's ring, given to me by my dad, and I eventually gave it to my brother, Richie. Pooka shells were in, too, as you can see. It was the '80's... My good friend Robbie Walsh played electric guitar wonderfully as he still does today. The only thing wrong with this piece is Evan Pace's acoustic guitar playing. He produced the record, but never played with us except for this one TV performance. It really was a distraction with him jumping around like he was a member of the band, pretending to be cool, and playing out of tune. Funny enough, when I moved to LA I called him numerous times, as he had asked me to do. Never returned my calls. Welcome to L.A., Wade.
Song # 3 - Burn Up The Night: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vodqf8KtRss
At the end of this segment after the song I can be seen doing the twist with Victoria Principle while the credits were running. Watch it to the very end. Hilarious. When my friend Phil Melchers and I watched this on TV later that night at my hotel, we laughed so hard we both ended up on the floor in tears. True story. We probably laughed for twenty minutes. Ahh, it was the early '80's...

AND NOW THE LOCAL NEWS!

"So Wade, whatcha been up to?"

     I still do private parties, corporate and theatrical events, solo, with the Movin' Out Band, The New York State Of Mind, and once in a while with The Billy Joel Band, when they are not on the road. I also guest on the Movin' Out tour when one of the regular piano men wants to take a break.
     I've updated my keyboard gear. I still use the Kurzweil PC2x, which I got quite used to with Movin' Out, but I also use a Roland Fantom X8 and X7, depending on how much I'm doing at the gig.
     I'm in the process of notating a collection of my instrumental material, with the hopes of publishing the finished results. This will include my version of Bumble Boogie, Sugar Punk (my ELP on speed version of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies that can be found on one of the Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids recordings), Boogie In  Monk Suit, The High Class Boogie (inspired by the solo in High Class Snot and the fact that I really can't stand the words to that song anymore), and Graveyard In Lockport. I'll probably throw Untitled and Rain In The Woods in there, too. The most time consuming aspect of this project has been trying to figure out my own solos.
     I started writing an opera for a small string ensemble some time ago when I lived in CA, but Movin' Out came along and I put it on the shelf. I'm trying to start that up again, as there has been some interest in some of my earlier string ensemble music. So, I'm trying to get that going, too.
     I do try to spend time at my house in PA and hang out with my beautiful wife, my wonderful neighbors (a little shout out to Paul, Jane, Sammy and Coby), get some practice or writing in, or, God forbid, cut my grass.
     Most of the time, however, I'm still at our apartment in NY, since most of my work is still out of Manhattan or out on Long Island, and my wife's ballet work is also out of the city.
     We have finally started recording for my next CD. No promises, but at least I've started! Trust that it will feature musicians from Movin' Out.
     It has forced me to update my recording gear, since, for one thing, I'm writing endless charts again, and recording on Logic Pro. I am now a Mac guy. Never thought it would happen, but necessity dictates!

And that's what I am up to!

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,
Wade

Here's an article that came out in The Press on 11/21/07 about a show I did with the Movin' Out Band in Bangor PA.

Piano Man Wade Preston with members of Broadway’s Movin Out Band will present “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me: Billy Joel Plus Rock and Roll, Part II” at The Washington, Saturday, November 24.

“I love to entertain my friends here in Bangor,” said Wade. “I’m also anxious to play for the folks that missed our last show. People have been asking when we were going to do it again ever since, so here we are.”

“There are those bandleaders who feel the limelight is all about them, but I try to showcase everybody. I think it makes for a better show. And it’s truly a privilege to front guys that are this good,” said Wade.

“My job as a bandleader is to find what’s special about each individual musician and showcase it. It’s not all about me. These are brilliant musicians.”

There’s no disputing that, according to the people who saw the last show they played here. Everyone in the audience agreed the band is phenomenal, and a lot of fun.

“Our most recent claim to fame is the Broadway hit Movin’ Out, where I was lucky enough to play the lead Piano Man role. So it stands to reason that the vast majority of the work we’ve gotten since then as a band has revolved around the music of Billy Joel. It’s a really a blessing, in that so many people really love Billy’s music, and so do we.”

The band plays a lot of other music, too. Guitarist Dennis DelGaudio, who was also the musical director for the London production of Movin’ Out, is scheduled to sing and play a couple of ZZ Top and Lynard Skynard songs.

Local Bangorian bassist Greg Smith will perform an Alice Cooper tune, who he toured with for thirteen years, as well as some Deep Purple. Through most of 2007, Greg has been touring with the outspoken rock legend Ted Nugent. “The rock community seems to gravitate toward Greg if they need a good bass player,” said Wade. “He’s very well known.”

Sax player Cliff Lyons, and drummer Michael Sorrentino both subbed on Broadway and both did the first national tour. “They both have resumes that are a mile long,” remarked Wade. “There isn’t enough ink!”

“Besides all the Billy, I’m going play some Elton, Stevie Wonder, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and some classical. Dennis and I will do some Beatles, and maybe some Stevie Ray Vaughn. And we’re always open for requests!”

Summing up his feelings about the band, Wade said “Besides being excellent musicians, they’re just a hilarious bunch of guys, which is always entertaining.” On that note, some people may remember when Dennis broke into the theme from the Dukes of Hazzard at the last show. “Still can’t believe he knew all the words,” laughed Wade.

Preston, who has had a home in Bangor now for several years, said of his upcoming performance at the Washington, “None of this would have happened without the tireless efforts of my friends and neighbors, Paul and Jane Ennico. I’m so lucky to have them and their daughter Sammy as neighbors, and even luckier to have them as friends. In fact, the whole concept for the show was Paul’s idea. He came up with the title and theme, venue and everything. I can’t thank him enough.”

He speaks highly of the area he lives in. “I have to spend time in New York for work, but I try to spend as much time as I can here in Pennsylvania. It’s my link to sanity.”

“I think music is intangible medicine. It makes people feel good. It feels like it was gifted to me and I just want to share it with everybody.”

Saturday, November 24 at The Washington (formerly the Washington TWP Fire Hall), 920 Washington Blvd. Route 191 South, Bangor, PA 18013. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Flicksville Country Store, Steckel’s Jewelry, Renee’s Café, Bangor Shop Quik, Bangor Hardware, Heard’s Meat Market, or at the door of the Washington the night of the performance. Tickets are $25.00 each. BYOB. Price includes drink set ups and soda. Catered by the Washington Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. No carry in food. Doors open 7:30pm and performance starts at 8pm. Limited seating.

Slightly Dated News:

Wade and Members of the Movin' Out Band
Big Hit at the St. Elizabeth Scholarship and Excellence Benefit Gala
Madison Hotel in Morristown in New Jersey
June 22nd, 2006

From left to right:
John Scarpulla - sax and percussion
Dennis DelGaudio - guitar and vocals
Joe Bergamini - drums
Kasim Sulton - bass and vocals
Wade

Photo by Courtney Smolen

More info on the event soon, but they brought in more money than they ever did at this event.
Thanks Tommy and Donna Byrnes for the invite, and thank you St. Elizabeth College.
We had a great time.
And a hearty thank you to the boys. Man, you kicked it right. It's an honor to play with you guys. You're the best!
ALSO:

The new arrivals: Tia and Sahara, March 20, 2006
The "Sisters"
Tia is a Yorkshire Terrier "Tea Cup"
and Sahara is a Red Abyssinian
They are the best of friends.
ALSO:

Click here
for a little bit of chatter and singing on Cleveland's WYNC
from the tour towards the end of April

ALSO:

The Recent Past:
(March, 2006)

Click here for
Recent reviews from the Movin' Out Tour
February - March 2006

Movin' Out Band Drops By Bangor Elks
www.slatebeltnews.com
The Movin’ Out Band performed in front of a packed crowd at the Bangor Elks on last Saturday, March 11. The show was the first time the band got together and performed before a live audience since their farewell performance of the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp Broadway smash, “Movin’ Out,” last December. The band covered the classics of Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, AC/DC, Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. Three of the band’s members, Wade Preston, Greg Smith, and Paul DelBoccio have recently moved into Bangor. All proceeds were donated to the Bangor High School’s music department. To learn more about the Movin’ Out Band and their upcoming performances, visit www.movinoutband.com, or www.wadepreston.com.

Band members from left to right:
Paul DelBoccio - Drums
Al Fritsch - Keyboard / Vocals
Greg Smith - Bass / Vocals
Wade Preston - Piano / Vocals
Dennis DelGaudio - Guitar / Vocals
Chris Jusino - Guitar / Vocals

Photo by Andrea Cody

(December, 2005)

Click here to download a recent
Radio Interview on KJOY
Kim and Jim In The Morning (MP3)

Movin' Out Closes on Broadway after nearly three and a half years of success

Movin' Out, after running for over three and a half years (if you include our beginnings in Chicago in June of 2002) closed on Sunday, December 11th, 2005.
Here's a link to a little bootleg of Billy doing Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) on the last night. Poor video quality and the sound doesn't sync up with the picture, but you can hear the excitement in the audience.
I'm no-where to be found on the video.
Still, worth a look and listen, especially the altered lyrics.
 http://youtube.com/watch?v=zEdG31ecRSI&search=billy%20joel
I can't begin to tell you the profound effect this show has had on my life.
It brought me back to New York,
made me a member of the best band in the world,
put me in a much higher tax bracket, and introduced me to my wife.
I'll miss the fun, but I'm looking forward to new things.

While I still perform as piano man on the tour from time to time (check out the reviews), my memories of Broadway will never fade. It was the most fun I've ever had, the most difficult and the most rewarding project I've ever been involved with. I think everybody in the band has a special place in their hearts for their Movin' Out memories. We became a family.

Right now, I'm enjoying a little time off with Angelica, my family, and a cocktail or two.

I do occasional gigs around town which has been great fun. You should come by if you can.

Okay, hopefully I'll see you soon.

Lotzaluv,
Wah-doo

Wade in South Beach, FL  July, 2005
Photo by Angelica

Click here for
My Movin' Out Story

Email:
wade@wadepreston.com or
Wadeprestn@aol.com
They both go to the same mailbox

The Cyber Mailer Updates
If you'd like to be on the cyber mailing list, Email me at wade@wadepreston.com and I'll send you an update when I've got something new to tell you. I will not give or sell your Email address to anyone. I only put people on the cyber mailing list by their permission. Everyone receives a blind carbon copy so you can't be spammed.
You can ask to be removed at any time and I will immediately honor your request.

Thanks!

Wade