I'm not an accordion fan at all, but I was a friend of Tony Lovello, who, evidently was a bigger deal than I thought.

He managed the Campbell house hotel here in Lexington for 31 years, after he had lost hearing in one ear. I worked ther playing in both th dining room and lounge for about 5 years. He introduced me to Petosa music, a Seattle based high end accordion and (at the time) Auto Orchestra dealer. I bought my first MS-60 arranger from them (still using it after 20 years).

Tony had a hard time playing in real time with good players because of his hearing, but we'd listen to his old Three Suns records, which were tight like a wind-up clock. On big holidays, he would write a floor-show for the lounge...hokey as hell but quite a production.

Accordion players certainly know who he was. Viewing is at 5:00 PM today and the funeral is in the morning.

Even if you're like me...not so much a fan of the instrument, he is certainly worth Googling.

All the best to Joella and the rest of his extended family.

Russ

R.I.P.

When I was about 16 years old I started a band and named it "The Twilighters" and our theme song was The Three Suns "Twilight Time" ...
RIP Tony and thanks for the musical memories ...

You certainly got that one right, Russ. I met him while I was doing an accordion workshop at one of the conventions. He came over to me and we talked a bit, but enough to stop and say "hello" whenever we ran into each other afterwards. One of the nicest fellows you'll ever meet. Sorry I didn't know him better, as in.......

he never told me he was the accordionist with The Three Suns. I loved listening to that group when I was a kid.

Mark

I have a video clip of Tony playing "How Great Thou Art" on Hee Haw. He looked so young. He did the bellow shakes and all that. I will have to find that clip.

If I recall correctly, he was considered the master of the bellow shake?

Yes, the King of the bellows shake. A very efficient way of doing it while Dick Conditino's bellows shaking was not really the right way, but it really did have "visual" and dramatic effects. Years ago, I took my son to Contino's concert. My boy said, "The old man is crazy." Some people complain about the showy stuff, but Contino had great arrangements, and I just love the way he builds up in music and comes to the climax. Well, this is off color a bit, but Contino made a great musical point when he said to a private individual, "Some people never reach the climax. I highly respect Contino for his musicianship.

One of the longest lasting players from a bygone era..

Tony's brother, Sam was a producer on Hee Haw. A year before the show aired, Buck Trent talked to me about being part of the cast. I thought the concept of old geezers popping out of a hay field with young girls showing their boobs was ridiculous.

Maybe that's why I'm still busting my butt out there.

Tony was so excited to do Hee Haw for his brother.

I'm glad to have known him and worked with him occasionally.


Russ

His bellews shahe blew me away,


Tony, rest peace, say hello tò Art Van Damme and Frank Marrocco