Fab '50s icons still going strong

Staff Reports

The Four Preps play May 7 and 8 at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.

In their 56th year the Four Preps are still fronted by original lead singer Bruce Belland along with Bob Duncan, formerly of the Diamonds, plus Michael Redman and Skip Taylor from the Crew Cuts. The four vocalists harmonize on America's favorite pop hits from the '50s and early '60s in the Carson Valley Inn's Shannon Ballroom on Mother's Day weekend, May 7 and 8.

The Preps recent performance on the PBS "Magic Moments" special inspired their latest tour. The foursome has more than 45 videos on YouTube visited daily by thousands of fans from around the world.

Dick Clark once said the Four Preps "sing the soundtrack of our lives with an energy and enthusiasm that guarantee a great time every time."

The Four Preps were fresh out of Hollywood High in the '50s when they became the youngest group ever signed by a major record label at that time. They had their first million-selling song, "26 Miles," in 1958 and were soon featured in Life magazine and on the Ed Sullivan and American Bandstand shows. They were in the original "Gidget" movie with Sandra Dee, James Darren and Cliff Robertson and with Hollywood High classmate Ricky Nelson on several episodes of "Ozzie and Harriett."

Featuring the sounds of the Four Preps, the Diamonds and the Crew Cuts, the group's song list features recognizable tunes including "26 Miles (Across the Sea)," "Big Man," "Down by the Station," "Lazy Summer Night," "Gidget," "Sh Boom," "Unchained Melody," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Little Darlin'," "Silhouettes," "Earth Angel," "Come Go With Me," "Runaround Sue," "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," "Tossin' and Turnin'," "Whispering Bells," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" "You Belong to Me," "Go Away Little Girl," "Book of Love," "Shangri La," "At the Hop," and "Blue Velvet."

"I'm a very lucky guy to still be doing what I love," said Belland, "bringing oldies lovers the great songs of a bygone era, and the Carson Valley Inn is the perfect place to recapture that magic time."

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. May 7 and 8 in the Carson Valley Inn's Shannon Ballroom. Tickets are $22 and may be purchased at the Carson Valley Inn hotel desk or by calling 783-6606.

The Carson Valley Inn (www.cvinn.com) is located on Highway 395 in Minden near the start of State Highway 88. The property includes a recently remodeled casino, 152-room hotel, 75-room motor lodge, 59-site RV park, three dining facilities (Katie's, CV Steak and Job's Perk) and a convenience store with Shell gas and diesel fuel. Make hotel reservations at (775) 783-6629.

Information on Carson Valley activities, recreation, history and shopping at www.visitcarsonvalley.org

Details:

What: The Four Preps in concert

When: 7:30 p.m. May 7 and 8

Where: Carson Valley Inn Shannon Ballroom in Minden

Info: Tickets $22, available at the Carson Valley Inn hotel desk or 783-6606