The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (May 21, 2012) – Opening with a salute to our Armed Forces members, the 7th Annual Thunderbash, produced by Bold Gold Media and Thunder 102 Radio at Monticello Casino & Raceway, proceeded to once again “wow” audience members who turned out to see and hear Nashville recording artists and local favorites, all while raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

The event was also sponsored by the Town of Thompson and Concord Associates.

Owner of Bold Gold Media, Vince Benedetto, along with Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, welcomed the audience, introduced some “returning heroes,” members of the

Armed Forces and presented the color guard.

After a rousing version of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Dan Braunstein, the Eldred High School Key Elements performed, astounding the audience with their a cappella renditions.

And the evening was just getting started.

Act after act performed on the Rolling V stage, including Amber Hayes, Darren Warren, Sherry Lynn, David Bradley, David Adam Byrnes, Tommy Steele, Iron Cowboy and Sullivan County stars Somerville featuring Alyssa Startup.

A new feature this year were screens on each side of the stage that featured not only live video of the onstage performers, but also live tweets sent by audience members.

In between performances, audience members hung out in the upper level above the grandstand where they were greeted by vendors and organizations such as ND Pro Media, Achieve Nursing Home and Rehab, Sullivan County BOCES and others.

Milling around the upper level, you could find local celebrities like Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff and River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and his constant companion Dharma “the Wonderdog” (who usually gets most of the attention) hanging around with Miss Teen Sullivan County and Mrs.  Sullivan County. And Forestburgh Playhouse’s Producing Director Norman Duttweiler was there also and later appeared onstage during one of the breaks to announce that Thunder 102’s own Paul Ciliberto of the “Cilberto and Friends” morning show is going to play a part in Forestburgh’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which will run from July 10 – 22, 2012.

Also in between acts, Thunder 102 midday DJ Jason Dole, and Mike Sakell, host of Sakell in the Afternoon, encouraged audience members to download the Radio Bold app on their phones, and register for a chance to win a trip to Nashville that same night.

Admission was free as it always is for Thunderbash, but audience members were asked to make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

Just before the featured performer, it was announced that nearly $3000 had been raised for the two organizations.

And then the “world-famous Thunder 102 t-shirt toss was held.” The hosts of “Ciliberto and Friends,” Paul Ciliberto and Michelle Semerano invited “friends of their morning show,” who included Catskill Chronicle editor Carol Montana, up onstage to toss Thunder 102 t-shirts to an anxious audience. Other “tossers” included “Mr. Nashville” Billy Block, Gary Samboy of M&M Auto Group, the aforementioned River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and Dharma (who did not actually toss a t-shirt herself), Jim Boxberger of Monticello Farm Home & Garden, and other local “celebrities.”

After that, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived with the introduction of Ira Dean, former member of the country trio Trick Pony.

Below are some additional photos of performances from the 7th Annual Thunderbash, and following those are links to even more photos.

Additional sponsors of Thunderbash included M & M Auto Group, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Crystal Run Healthcare and Big V Tours.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Music, Patriotism, Community Celebrated at 7th Annual Thunderbash, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.