Page Title

1972 -- Creekside Inn -- The
Standing Ovations above

Down to Earth Band in 1977
formed by Rhonda Lee

Rhonda's son, Randy plays in "Three
Piece Suit" a jazz band that even furthered
her horizons. It was sheer pleasure to work
with him in 2001.
Photo right.

Dominick Cicco (a great singer,)
and Rhonda. Show at the East Park
Sheraton Hotel in the 90's.

While performing at the Creekside Inn,
she was asked to host a TV show for the
owner who wanted to advertise for the
club. "The Rhonda Lee Show" was
directed and hosted by her. One of the
shows she put together was at the training
facility for, at that time, the Bell Telephone
company.
Try as she might, she could not get off the
ground with climbing a pole, but she
climbed in her plight for her musical career.
See photos at right.
Ray Reichert, Ralph P. Vogelsong,
Raymond S. Caton, Jr.
Camera man is Al Frankavilla.

In 1980, still another group. "The
Counts" would go on for five years. One
of the best male vocalists that Rhonda has
ever had the pleasure of working with was
Barry Brosey who also shined in guitar
playing. Walt Swarthout, bass player
became a very close friend until his passing
in 2005. Rick Rosella played drums first.
Then Duggie Hess (Standing Ovations)
joined the group until the group broke up in
1985.
Photos right.

Bill Schriver on drums, Rhonda Lee, vocals,
Dominick Icavone on saxaphone and Tom Colgan on
keyboard.
The Tom Colgan Trio.
Another chance to learn some jazzy tunes. Tom
Colgan is one of the greats in Rhonda's career.

Everyone encouraged her to sing from Grandfather, to parents, to school teachers, to
church members. So it is no wonder she is in the music business.

Although she started singing when she was two years old, her debut was in church at the age of six
years. Rhondas' career did not get off the ground until 1958 when she auditioned for a group along
with her friend, who played piano. Bill Dayton was the band leader who later started his well known
BIG BAND in Gettysburg. She was hired but later got married and left the band before she even
got to sing out.
It was the start of her longing to front a band.

Career moves were put on hold because of having a family, until another opportunity arose in
1966. Out of necessity, Rhonda joined a group called "The Ambassadors" with Jake Ruth. That
lasted only a few months when another opportunity came about that would have Rhonda traveling
the east coast. She developed stage presence, learned the keys to her songs and added thousands of
songs to her repertoire. Her love was and still are ballads from the thirties, forties and fifties. And
she loves the music from her high school days. But she sings anything from rock to blues and more.
It all comes from her heart.

By 1970, she sang anywhere she could get jobs. A bass player in one of the local bands told another
musician about her singing abilities and after auditioning for him, it was the start of a group that
would reach the heights in the central Pennsylvania area.
The "Standing Ovations" band was voted best group in central Pennsylvania by Host
magazine in 1975.

In 1974, Rhonda fronted "The New Approach" 19 piece band. That lasted for approximately
a year and a half when the band leader passed away unexpectedly with a heart attack. His
name was John Nicolosi. He was out of Williamsport, Pa. Rhonda learned a lot from John
and her personal manager. She took that knowledge with her in future groups.

During her career, Rhonda has worked with many accomplished musicians. Some of whom
had a great impact on her musical life.

To mention a few, Bill Fisher, Walt Swarthout, Barry Brosey, (all from the "Counts" band),
Art Calaman, Duggie Hess, Cliff Seidel, Sal Salerno, (who hired her for the "Standing
Ovations"), Tom Colgan "Tom Colgan Trio" and Mick Cochran,(with whom she worked in the
"New Approach") . Charles Crum, from "Radiant Earth Band" was influential as well. There
are so many that we can't mention all of them, but they are great musicians none the less.
Rhonda feels very fortunate to have worked with them all.

Working with family members who were in bands, is the greatest memory of all. Nothing will
ever surpass family. Without God and your family, there is nothing.

With pictures, We hope to show you a part of Rhonda's life that she will never forget.

Enjoy.

The earth is filled with music.....Stop.....Listen

Radiant Earth Band 1978

Classics's Band -- 1974
Right.

From left to right.
Duggie Hess, Cliff Seidle, Rhonda Lee,
Sal Salerno, Art Calaman

Standing Ovations in 1975 / Hungry Drummer
Rueben Betencort, Corky Coria, Rhonda Lee, Tommy ?, Sal Salerno

One of the nicest performers that she ever met.
Billy Daniels

Her sister Billie was lead vocalist for "The Far
Turn" band that played at the Winners Circle and
for all of the Penn National Race Track musical
functions. Rhonda got to join her sister Billie for a
short time which was a great experience, not only
for singing harmony with Billie, but, trying her
hand at some country songs. 1983.

Hold your mouse on the
red squares and see what
happens.....

Then
1972

Now
2009

2000 -- "Long Hard Ride" formed by
Joey Cicovic. Rhonda, once again, fronts
another band.
A country rock group.

In 1974, Rhonda was asked to join a 19 piece orchestra by the name of
"The New Approach".
Recognize Milton J. Schapp, Governor of Pennsylvania?
"New Approach" played for his inaugural ball in 1974.
Band leader was John Nicolosi.
Mick Cochran is far right on trombone.
Photos below/left.. (The girl next door look.)

1970 -- Jojo's Cocktail Lounge and the
beginning of Central Pa's best Rock and Roll
Group voted by Host Magazine. This group
went on to cutting an album and several 8 track
starting "The Ovations" beginnings. On the right.

1972 -- Creekside Inn --
The Standing Ovations above

Down to Earth Band in 1977
formed by Rhonda Lee

Rhonda's son, Randy plays in "Three
Piece Suit" a jazz band that even
furthered her horizons. It was sheer
pleasure to work with him in 2001.
Photo above.

Rhonda's son Rus sang in the Band
"Cyrun". Above. He also played drums.
He passed in 1990 and is deeply missed
by his friends and especially his family.

Dominick Cicco (a great singer,)
and Rhonda. Show at the East
Park Sheraton Hotel in the 90's.

While performing at the Creekside Inn, she
was asked to host a TV show for the owner
who wanted to advertise for the club.
"The Rhonda Lee Show" was produced
and hosted by her. One of the shows she put
together was at the training facility for, at
that time, the Bell Telephone company.
Try as she might, she could not get off the
ground with climbing a pole,
but she climbed in her plight
for her musical career.
See photos at right.
Ray Reichert, Ralph P. Vogelsong,
Raymond S. Caton, Jr.
Camera man is Al Frankavilla.

In 1980, still another group.
"The Counts" would go on for five
years. One of the best male vocalists
that Rhonda has ever had the
pleasure of working with was Barry
Brosey who also shined in guitar
playing. Walt Swarthout, bass player
became a very close friend until his
passing in 2005. Rick Rosella
played drums first. Then Duggie
Hess (Standing Ovations) joined the
group until the group broke up in 1985.
Photos right.

Bill Schriver on drums, Rhonda Lee, vocals,
Dominick Icavone on saxaphone and
Tom Colgan on keyboard.
The Tom Colgan Trio.
Another chance to learn some jazzy tunes. Tom
Colgan is one of the greats in Rhonda's career.

Everyone encouraged her to sing from Grandfather, to parents, to school teachers,
to church members. So it is no wonder she is in the music business.
Although she started singing when she was two years old,
her debut was in church at the age of six years.
Rhondas' career did not get off the ground until 1958
when she auditioned for a group along with her friend, who played piano.
Bill Dayton was the band leader who later started his well known BIG BAND in Gettysburg.
She was hired but later got married and left the band before she even got to sing out.
It was the start of her longing to front a band.
Career moves were put on hold because of having a family, until another opportunity arose in 1966.
Out of necessity, Rhonda joined a group called "The Ambassadors" with Jake Ruth. That lasted
only a few months when another opportunity came about that would have
Rhonda traveling the east coast. She developed stage presence,
learned the keys to her songs and added thousands of songs to her repertoire.
Her love was and still are ballads from the thirties, forties and fifties.
And she loves the music from her high school days.
But she sings anything from rock to blues and more. It all comes from her heart.
By 1970, she sang anywhere she could get jobs.
A bass player in one of the local bands told another musician about her singing abilities and
after auditioning for him, it was the start of
a group that would reach the heights in the central Pennsylvania area.
The "Standing Ovations" band was voted best group in
Central Pennsylvania by Host magazine in 1975.
In 1974, Rhonda fronted "The New Approach" 19 piece band.
That lasted for approximately a year and a half when the band leader passed away
unexpectedly with a heart attack. His name was John Nicolosi from Williamsport, Pa.
Rhonda learned a lot from John and her personal manager Michael Minkwita.
She took that knowledge with her to future groups.
During her career, Rhonda has worked with many accomplished musicians.
They all had a great impact on her musical life.
To mention a few, Bill Fisher, Walt Swarthout, Barry Brosey, (all from the "Counts" band),
Art Calaman, Duggie Hess, Cliff Seidel, Sal Salerno,
(who hired her for the "Standing Ovations"),
Tom Colgan and Andy Angelucci,"Tom Colgan Trio",
Mick Cochran,(with whom she worked in the "New Approach").
Charles Crum, from "Radiant Earth Band" was influential as well.
There are so many that we can't mention all of them,
but they are great musicians none the less.
Rhonda feels very fortunate to have worked with them all.
Working with my sons, who are in bands, is the greatest memory of all.
Nothing will ever surpass family.
Without God and your family, there is nothing.
With pictures, We hope to show you a part of Rhonda's life that she will never forget.
Enjoy.

The earth is filled with music.....Stop.....Listen

Radiant Earth Band 1978
On right, Rhonda Lee performed
with Shannon, Kerry, Dave, Cliff
and a bass player whose name
escapes me.
When I remember, I will enter his
name as well. Sorry.

Classics's Band -- 1974
Above

From left to right.
Duggie Hess, Cliff Seidle, Rhonda
Lee, Sal Salerno, Art Calaman

Standing Ovations formed again
in 1975 for house band at Hungry Drummer
Rueben Betencort, Corky Coria, Rhonda
Lee, Tommy ?, Sal Salerno
Right and above right.

One of the nicest performers
that she ever opened for.
Billy Daniels Above

Her sister Billie was lead vocalist for
"The Far Turn" band that played at the Winners
Circle and for all of the Penn National Race Track
musical functions.
Rhonda got to join her sister Billie for a short time
which was a great experience, not only for singing
harmony with Billie, but, trying her hand at some
country songs. 1983. Picture below.

Hold your mouse on
the red squares and
see what happens.....

Then
1972

Now
2009

2000 -- "Long Hard Ride"
formed by Joey Cicovic. Rhonda,
once again, fronts another band.
A country rock group.

In 1974, Rhonda was asked to join a 19 piece orchestra
by the name of"The New Approach".
Recognize Milton J. Schapp, Governor of Pennsylvania?
"New Approach" played for his inaugural ball in 1974. .Bottom right.
Band leader was John Nicolosi.
Mick Cochran is far right on trombone.
Photos below/left.. (The girl next door look.)

1970 -- Jojo's Cocktail Lounge and the beginning of
Central Pa's best Rock and Roll Group voted
by Host Magazine. This group went on to cutting
an album and several 8 track starting "The
Ovations" beginnings. On the right.

Rhonda's daughter Rhonnies band,
(above)
She had stage presence from the
beginning.
Avant Gaurde, in the 80's.

Rhonda's Son Ric's Band
"Secret Agent" right, in the 80's.
Ric joined his Mother in another band
playing bass and singing in the 90's.

Legends by Rhonda