The Group Harmony Alley - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Thank you Ronnie, my best friend, for the wonderful times.....
To write a loving, thoughtful message in Ronnie I's guestbook go to this link: http://www.legacy.com/NorthJersey/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Life Story&PersonID=105050401
THE GROUP HARMONY ALLEY with CHRISTINE VITALE Sundays, 6PM TO 9PM Eastern 89.1/FM -WFDU - Teaneck, NJ streaming live at www.wfdu.fm..........
I became interested in vocal groups of the 1950s when I discovered the Doo-Wopp Shop on WCBS-FM. Hungry for greater diversity and deeper insight into the roots of this music, I began reading everything I could find on it, developing and cultivating, and refining my taste.
SELF DEVELOPMENT:..........At about this time I became a member of, and by 1988, an employee of, the United In Group Harmony Association (UGHA), the unique nonprofit organization founded in 1976, by its President, Ronnie Italiano (Ronnie I.), dedicated to the preservation, exposure and education of rhythm & blues vocal group music from the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.
For years, under the tutelage of UGHA President Ronnie I., I studied this music and began to realize the multiple perspectives with which one could view the phenomenon of this largely-urban musical subculture, not only because of its diverse styles in harmony and overall sound, but also how the music as a whole related to the larger part of society in which it experienced its fashionable prime, and noticing its tremendous influence on musical styles that followed it. I found opportunities to teach seminars about the history of r&b/doo-wopp vocal group music to a variety of audiences: adults, young adolescents, teenagers and to striving acappella groups who wanted to capture the sound and essence of the era.
RADIO EXPERIENCE:........ I served as co-host with Ronnie I. for a combined five years on UGHAâ€™s educational trademark radio program, â€œRonnie Iâ€™s R&B Partyâ€ on WNYE/91.5-FM public radio, and on commercial radio WNWK/105.9-FM, and the â€œRonnie I Just For Uâ€ program. Eventually I became newscaster on WFDU/89.1FM.
In 2003, with CBS-FM having dropped its doo-wopp Shop, WFDU-FM rolled the dice and took a chance on the R&B/doo-wopp vocal group genre, with me at the helm. Its proven success bodes for its formidable place in the Sunday night vocal group tradition.
CHOICE...Jersey City's Bad Boys of Acappella performing Sonny Norton & The Crows "Gee" for a Japanese television documentary, in front of Ronnie I's Clifton Music at 1135 Main Ave., Clifton, NJ.
The Flamingos' "Voit Voit" (aka "Jump Children")

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/25/2007
Influences:
If you or someone you know would like to provide underwriting for The Group Harmony Alley, please call the WFDU program director at 201-692-2806. Thank you for your support! I am also available for emcee work. Hit me back here with a message and information.

TONY SMITH & THE YOU KNOW HOW WE DO CREW has a standard of musicianship that has to be seen LIVE to be believed!!
Sounds Like: Well, I personally sound like me....and I kinda like it that way -- If I didn't, I'd change it, as for the music I play on my show, well now, THAT just sounds cool...tune in -- turn me on, I'm sure you'll agree! :-)
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Bad Boys Get Down In Holmdel, NJ

I'm doing this because I have a 20 year + belief in the Bad Boys, and wanna show my support....
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:01:00 PST

Afterthoughts and analysis on Making Crossroads

Thank you to all who attended and believed& I had a hard time selling people on this idea. The fact that conceptually, it required so much explanation, made it much harder. The vocal group aspec...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:42:00 PST

Italian Heritage Month

Since October is Italian Heritage Month, here are some sites that you might want to look at to learn more.Italian-American'>http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm5pYWYub3JnL3Jlc2Vh cmNoL2NvbnRyaWJ1...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:46:00 PST

Pondering the future

I knew from the door that my radio program wouldn't win the hearts of everyone I'm realistic about that. For one, it's not commercial enough musically or predictable with a more standard delivery. P...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:59:00 PST

Check out this event: THE PARAGONS Performance Schedule

Hosted By: The Hall of Fame Legendary PARAGONSWhen: Saturday Sep 13, 2008 at 7:00 PMWhere: Norfolk TheaterWestbury, NY 10026United StatesDescription:The Hall of Fame Legendary PARAGONS Click Here To V...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:58:00 PST

I have to say my piece...my piece for now.

..TR> Don't forget me on Sunday nights. It's the Group Harmony Alley at 6pm EASTERN live on 89.1/FM - WFDU and streaming at www. wfdu. fm There is no better show on a Sunday fea...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:35:00 PST

MAKING CROSSROADS - Tickets available NOW!!

Christine Vitale in association with WFDU-FM and Tee Ess Productions presents MAKING CROSSROADS Bridging Doo-Wopp, R&B, Blues & Jazz&just like they did back in the 1950s! Special performances ...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:01:00 PST

Do you GET what Im doing here??

Many individuals have questioned why I would choose to put a show together like the one I plan for October 18, as seen on my page, in my video and splattered here and there over the internet. Som...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:45:00 PST

Statement on deception

..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> This is Christine Vitale of WFDU-FM, former staff member of the United In Group Harmony Association (UGHA), and close fr...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:37:00 PST

It’s not cool with me, so don’t try it

It is not ok to just show up unannounced at the radio station when I am doing my show. First of all, that constitutes stalking, and I have had more than my fair share of that. The campus sec...
Posted by The Group Harmony Alley on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:31:00 PST