Time melts away. The music is alive, right now, masterfully played.
Iconic songs course through the veins of every Soul in the audience.
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The shows sell-out. Audiences flock toward this unique blend of superb musicianship and stories from a lifetime influenced by the music business during the halcyon years of the emergence of rock. The ICONS performers are career musicians, they are music producers, they have had major record label contracts and have performed all over the world. They electrify the stage and transport their audiences.
Kevin Totoian is the son of National Promotion Man, Richard Totoian who worked for major record labels A & M, Columbia, Epic, RCA, Windfall and Decca. The family moved from San Francisco to Connecticut when Rich discovered and signed the band, Santana to Columbia Records. While the abundant music of the era filled every home, car and beach blanket radio, Kevin was playing bass guitar with Peter Frampton in the family living room, going with his Dad to meet George Harrison at the Dark Horse album concert at Madison Square Garden, bumping into John Lennon at the after party. Music and its makers were a part of Kevin's world: Sly Stone, Felix Papalardi, Sting and the Police to name just a few. Lesley West of Mountain gave Kevin his first bass. Jack Bruce from Cream was so impressed with young Kevin that he gave him a bass lesson in the studio, and Dan Hartman hired Kevin to play bass on a Joe Cocker record. Kevin played in Edgar Winter's band, touring Europe and the US. Kevin's band, Tall Stories was signed to Epic Records and toured the US and Canada with Mr. Big. Tall Stories' Manager, Bud Praeger also managed Mountain, Wes Bruce & Lang, Foreigner, Bad Company, Damn Yankees and more. Additionally, Kevin toured with A & M recording artist, Glen Burtnick, opening up for David Bowie. A lifetime of music, indeed. Today, Kevin's ICONS: The Soundtrack of Your Life show is selling-out music venues to crowds who rave about the energy and excellence of the music and showmanship. Kevin brings the music to life with consummate pros: Andy Abel on killer guitar, Nick Saya on powerhouse drums, Melanie Bennet and her captivating soprano rock vocals - along with Steve Gaspar on dynamic keys, Marcos Torres on pulsating percussion, Eric Ieraci on guitar, and Dale Allen with her spell-casting vocals. Kevin commands bass, harmonica and vocals. Together, the Icons band delivers the music with exacting precision and exhilaration, and delivers the audience to a transcendent place beyond time, where the music is alive! 
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Peter Frampton • Kevin Totoian
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ICONS the Soundtrack of Your Life
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Kevin Totoian makes his living as a musician (vocals, bass, harmonica, guitar) and is synonymous with the inveterate band, Tangled Vine. With a library of original music – and more coming through an open creative channel - Kevin is thoroughly enjoying bringing these songs out in production and performance. 
Melanie Bennett I've been singing basically my whole life. Growing up, I was in choir, madrigal singers, and musical theater (in & out of school). Later, I was the lead singer for the band One Way Ticket in the New Haven area for a number of years. I'm a current member of The Hollywood Allstars, and have performed with a number of local bands, as well as recorded vocals for The Hollywood Allstars, Frank Viele and Jay Rowe. I have many, many musical influences, both male and female. I love every genre of music, but my "sweet spot" is definitely Rock & Roll. I would say my strongest female influences over the years have been Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, Heart, Susan Tedeschi and Janis Joplin (in the mostly rock & roll arena). Music is such a HUGE part of my life. I can't remember the last time I went a whole day without listening to any music...if that's ever even happened! It speaks to my heart and soul. I get so much out of it...the music, the lyrics, everything. I am often moved by some part of a song...even to tears. It cleanses me, it nourishes me, it calms me, it picks me up. I cannot imagine a world without it and I wouldn't want to! |
Andy Abel has established himself as a "first call" guitarist in the tri-state area for live performances and session work. As guitarist for Best of the Gold Coast band Tangled Vine, Andy's spot-on tone and undeniably masterful, yet tasteful solos, help the group lay claim to their well deserved reputation. Living in Mexico as young child, Andy had an instant affinity to the guitar, and was quite fortunate to have the opportunity to study with the late guitar guru, Linc Chamberland. In 1995, Andy won the Connecticut Guitar Contest sponsored by Wood Doctor Products and 95.9 FOX radio. Andy has performed with a host of luminaries in the music business including: Dave Valentin, Chieli Minucci, Chuck Loeb, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor and Jessy J. as well as with world renowned songwriter Chip Taylor (Wild Thing, Angel Of The Morning). Also with Late Night drummer Anton Fig and Bruce Hornsby's David Mansfield. Andy has shared the stage with songwriters Toni Wine (Groovy Kind of Love) and Irwin Levine (Tie a Yellow Ribbon) and Vince Gill. Andy has also performed with Blood Sweat & Tears, Pat DiNunzio of The Smithereens, opened for Jan Hammer, Leslie West, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas & Michael Bolton. A sought after session musician, Andy's studio work includes Danny Gottlieb, Mark Egan, Jim Pugh, Andy Newmark, Shawn Pelton, Marc Shulman, Clint De Ganon, Dave Anderson, Joel Rosenblatt, Tony Kadeck, Dave Mann, Joe Bonadio, Tony Cintron, Drew Zingg, Mydie Myles, and Steve Scales to name a few. In addition Andy is an educator and has taught guitar for over twenty years. |
Nick Saya is a Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Drummer, Programmer, Multi Instrumentalist and Songwriter. Nick's work covers a wide variety of styles including Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Dance, Pop, Film Score and Sound Design. He is much sought-after for both his musical and technical expertise in recording and production. As a drummer, he has played with and/or recorded with Blood Sweat & Tears, Tom Bones Malone, Lew Soloff, Alan Rubin, Blue Lou Marini, Lenny Pickett, Gordon Gaines, David Fiuczynski and The Screaming Headless Torsos, John Medeski (Medeski Martin and Wood) and Chris Baron (The Spin Doctors). He has been a member of the Annie Minogue Band from the start of the project. The band has opened for David Lee Roth, Dave Navaro, The Black Eyed Peas, Chris Whitley, Blues Traveler and many others. Nick plays drums, co-writes the material, and produces Annie's project. He has had many songs placed in movies, TV and commercial jingle spots. The music sample/sound company, PowerFx signed Nick as a featured producer. PowerFx distributes original drum loops created by Nick. Nick's Loops are included in the Apple Logic Pro Content that comes with Logic. Nick also writes for multiple TV networks including: NBC, ABC, CBS, Netflix, Discovery, Lifetime, A&E, TLC, OXYGEN, ESPN, FYI, SCI-FI and more. He also composes film trailer music scores for Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) which are currently being pitched in Hollywood. Current Company Endorsements: Sabian Cymbals Evans Drumheads Gibraltar Hardware Vic Firth Drumsticks Audix Microphones Dream Earz Protection Racket Cases D’addario Latin Percussion Propellerheads Software |
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Dale Allen is a multi-faceted performer who considers the stage a place of sacred communion with the audience. Dale has used the stage to creatively share her original work. Her music theater production with a cast of 7 women (including herself) was success in Westport, CT. It became a one-woman show, “In Our Right Minds,” which Dale toured across the US, Canada, from Kauai to Dubai, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and the Parliament of the World’s Religions. The next iteration was her film of the piece which has been awarded in 19 Independent Film Festivals worldwide. Her new 2024 book, laced with art, poetry and lyrics is an Amazon International Bestseller. Creativity, the arts, emotion – these connect us, and Dale revels in the sense of connection that happens with audiences at the ICONS shows. She embodies the songs she sings, celebrating the music and its power to unite, heal, uplift, ignite and inspire.
Marcos Torres a versatile percussionist, producer, and Grammy Award-Winning engineer. Marcos has been at the forefront of creating a fresh new sound within the Salsa genre for over a decade. His respect for the tradition and trajectory of this music, as well as his love and knowledge of Hip-Hop, R&B, and aptitude for sound curation as a whole, have led to him to help push the boundaries of the genre as we know it today.Born into a musical family of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, Marcos was gifted a bongo at the age of three, and never looked back. He has since turned into one of his generation’s most respected and sought after percussionists, performing with salsa superstars La India, Tito Nieves, Ismael Miranda, Jerry Rivera, Obie Bermudez, and the legendary Issac Delgado among many others. |
Eric Ieraci 
"Hollywood” Steve Gaspár is a Grammy Nominated songwriter/producer/keyboardist, and former Epic/CBS recording artist with the act “Stephen & Suzanne”. While signed to Epic, Steve’s song “Promise Me” earned a “Single-Pick” in Billboard Magazine. He is a three-time winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with the songs “Healer of Hearts” in the Gospel Category, and “Heaven Must-A Sent You” and “Love is When…” in the Pop Category. The second song “Heaven Must-A Sent You” earned a Grammy Nomination in the preliminary round of judging for “R&B Song of the Year” through its activity on the CD “13 Stories Over Times Square”, while “Healer of Hearts” was also the winner of the coveted “Best Inspirational Song” award at the 1st Annual Ensound Music Awards Show. |