(RED BANK – NOV 9) Legendary Garden State radio personality Big Joe Henry is ringing in 2019 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 29^th as host of a special concert starring Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish’s Rascals.

Tickets for “Big Joe Henry’s New Jersey New Year’s Celebration,” priced between $30 – $79, are on sale now through theBASIE.org, phone charge at 732-842-9000 and onsite at the Basie Center box office, located at 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank.

A portion from each ticket sold will be donated to 180 Turning Lives Around, one of Henry’s favorite charities.

“I’m thrilled to host Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish’s Rascals at the Count Basie Center, and to say goodbye to 2018 and ring in the New Year” said Henry, the NJ101.5 WKXW radio host known for his booming voice and frequent appearances at charitable functions throughout the region. “Even better, my New Jersey New Year’s celebration will raise money for one of my favorite organizations, 180 Turning Lives Around!”

“Big Joe is a big friend of 180 Turning Lives Around and we are grateful to benefit from this concert at the Count Basie Center for The Arts,” said Lynn Lucarelli, Director of Development, 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc.  “As a dedicated volunteer of 180, Joe has collected hundreds of toys for our children during the holidays through his NJ 101.5 radio show, and he has served as entertainer and auctioneer at many of our events. I am confident that our families in Monmouth County affected by domestic violence and sexual assault are happy and thankful to have a place in Joe’s heart.”

Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish’s Rascals

Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish, two legendary founders of The Rascals, are touring together for the first time in over five years. Cavaliere and Cornish cite the fans and love of their timeless songs as reasons for collaboration.

As inductees to the Rock & Roll, Grammy, Vocal Group and Songwriter halls of fame, The Rascals are widely considered the best ‘blue-eyed soul’ group to come out of the 1960s and their music the soundtrack of a generation. The Rascals had 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 hits, and three No. 1 hits that include “Groovin’, “People Got To Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.”

“I had an epiphany while performing in Hawaii last year,” Cavaliere said. “It’s not about me – it’s about the fans. It’s about the music. I spoke with Gene and he agreed that we can’t take any of this for granted anymore.”

Cornish, who first worked with Cavaliere and future Rascals singer Eddie Brigati, in Joey Dee & The Starlighters in 1964, echoed Cavaliere’s feelings.

“There’s something magical that happens when we’re on stage together,” Cornish said. “We’re going to celebrate these songs for as long as the fans allow us to and give the fans a chance to see us perform live.”

Joining them on this new journey is hall of fame drummer Carmine Appice. The Brooklyn-born iconic drummer’s resume includes Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Stewart, Beck Bogert & Appice, Ozzy Osbourne and Pink Floyd.

“Gene and I both thought there’s no way we can replace our brother Eddie, and Dino expressed that he didn’t want to do it,” Cavaliere said. “We both thought of Carmine at the same time.”

During his first phone call with Cornish, Appice wasted no time saying “I’m in.”

“I grew up watching The Rascals on Ed Sullivan, I’m a huge fan,” Appice said. “These songs are the soundtrack to so many peoples’ lives. I’m looking forward to sharing the music with life-long Rascals fans, and to new generations of fans.”