Aroundphilly.com was invited to a number of pre-Atlantic City Air Show events to promote one of the largest air shows on the east coast. First, we traveled to the William
J. Hughes Technical Center where we met Wilson Felder, director of the center, and Michael Greco, manager of the center’s Air Traffic Organization Operations Planning.
The Brazilian Air Force’s Smoke Squadron was arriving to participate in the air show.
At the center, we also met Rob Holland, a stunt pilot for 18 years. who has been in 8 air shows. From there, we motored to the 177th Fighter Wing – Air National Guard to catch Thunderbird crews in action. Finally, we hit the Boys & Girls Club in Atlantic City where the Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team met with club members.
08.23.10 | Cyril Neville Warms Up Damp Fans on Boards in AC
Monday night, August 23rd, brought Cyril Neville, of the Neville Brothers, to the Kennedy Plaza stage for another New Orleans night produced by Carmen Marotta. .When Neville heard the announcer read the name of his song, "Pearl River," at the 31st annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tenn., “it was one of those moments when time stood still. “ The youngest member of New Orleans' first family of funk, the Neville Brothers, said "I wrote it about the river itself from hearing my mother, my grandmother and my aunt say that the water was so dark because of how many dark people had been thrown in it," he said. The refrain to the moody blues piece is, "Pearl River, if you could talk what would you say?" While he is proud of his musical accomplishments, the New Orleans native is equally proud of another honor. Neville recently was named ambassador for the Chahta Indians. Chief Warhorse Elwin Gillum said of the choice of Neville: 'I knew it had to be a strong-willed man.” Neville's new role as ambassador will be to speak for the tribes that are centered in St. Tammany and include descendents of the 125 Chahta, Creek and Cherokee who did not leave during the forced relocation under Andrew Jackson, called the Trail of Tears. Members are spread throughout the Florida Parishes, and since Hurricane Katrina, are scattered in 29 states. On being named ambassador, Neville only would say, “I am humbled and empowered.” Naturally Neville hyped the damp crowd with the Pearl River rendition. Prior to Cyril ,his wife, Gaynielle , and drummer son, Omari hitting the Kennedy Plaza stage, the crowd was warmed up with the drive of Johnny Sansone and AC Weekly editor Jeff Schwachter, leaving pen for a guitar, singing original renditions which he penned.
