6/21/06

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA CRONIN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335 (OFFICE) 304-479-8097 (CELL)

CHESTER, WV — A journey down memory lane to the sounds of The Drifters, featuring Charlie Thomas, CORNELL GUNTER'S COASTERS in tribute to the Coasters and THE PLATTERS in Tribute to the Platters will be featured in concert at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort on July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The new Drifters', featuring Charlie Thomas, first release was "There Goes My Baby." Lover Patterson, manager of the Five Crowns, said of Charlie Thomas, "Thomas' voice is a voice that the world will enjoy forever." Even with the success of the "Five Crowns" recording of the song "Kiss and Make Up", it was Thomas' voice that became the voice of the new Drifters. In 1988, Charlie Thomas, along with other Drifter members Doc Green, Ben E. King and Elsberry Hobbs were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Charlie Thomas also received the Rhythm and Glues Award in 1999 for lifetime achievement and was inducted into the Vocal Hall of Fame in 2000.

Cornell Gunter's Coasters are the supreme comedians of Rock and Roll, remembered for "Charlie Brown" and "Little Egypt", and their impact has deepened with time, Their first record "Down in Mexico" propelled them into fame. The group's songs, parodies and tunes that became top selling records are being revived in this new generation of music. The first group to be introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the group has appeared in six major movies and has amassed sales of more than 100 million records during their career.

THE PLATTERS, in Tribute to the Platters, have recorded nearly 400 songs, have sold over 80 million copies of those songs, and have performed throughout the world, winning many awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along the way. The Platters, over the years, have appeared in 27 movies enchanting their audiences with songs such as "Only You" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."

In January of 1953, four men converged on Los Angeles to form a group for competing in local amateur shows, etc. This early group consisted of Cornell Gunther, Alex Hodge, Herb Reed and Joe Jefferson. It is said that Gaynel Hodge, brother of Alex and later famous with his hit Earth Angel, was present with the Platters when their trademark name was coined, named after the term popular with DJs when referring to records, hence Platters.

While the Platters have divided over the years and members have come and gone, the one thing that remains constant is the beauty of their music.

The concert will be located in the Grande Ballroom. Tickets are $35 - gold and $25 - reserved and are available at all Ticketmaster locations.