BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – A Frank Sinatra impersonator will make an appearance at the Black Knight Country Club on Thursday, June 24, to help support the Raleigh County Humane Society.
Tim Berry, owner of Tim Berry Real Estate Company in Beckley, is hosting the fundraiser, “Swinging with Sinatra,” and looks forward to seeing the community support such an integral organization.
“I have been involved with the humane society for several years,” Berry explained. “They’re just an amazing organization, and their need is constant because they have a constant influx of cats and dogs that have been strayed or abandoned in the community. We believe in the shelter, and they just need our help.”
Berry says he first met the Barboursville native Sinatra impersonator, Lee Dean, at a murder mystery dinner show and knew he had to be part of a future fundraiser.
“He travels around the state and has performed in Kentucky, Virginia and has made appearances at the Greenbrier,” Berry said of Dean. “He puts on a great show.”
Dean began performing as Sinatra in 2016 and he performed his first full-length show as Sinatra in December of 2019 in Welch, West Virginia.
From “My Way” to “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Fly Me to The Moon,” Dean says he loves performing an array of Sinatra’s songs and seeing the audience connect to his music.
“What really makes the show is that I work the crowd like Sinatra did. If it’s someone’s birthday, we sing happy birthday. If it’s an anniversary we do a Q&A with the married couple. I just cut up with people and make them laugh.”
While Dean has played at The Greenbrier Resort, Glade Springs and other notable venues, he also frequently performs at nursing homes, assisted living centers and senior centers.
“That is the point, to spread love, joy and cheer,” he said, adding that most of the shows he does are fundraisers. Dean is especially looking forward to helping support the Raleigh County Humane Society as he is an animal lover as much as he is a Sinatra lover.
The evening should begin with dinner around 6 p.m., and Sinatra should take the stage at 7 p.m. Black Knight Country Club will be providing the food.
According to Berry, the show has received a great response so far, and tickets are selling fast. He expects the show to be a sellout.
“With any luck, we should be able to donate $1,000 to $1,200 to the shelter. That is what we are hoping for,” he said.
Those interested in attending the event can contact Berry at 304-222-0940 to purchase tickets. Price of admission is $35, which includes dinner and the show.
Dean, who has recently added Elvis to his list of impersonations, says he is booked every weekend until the end of August. All future shows, as well as pictures and videos of past shows, can be found on Facebook under Swinging with Sinatra- by Lee Dean.
