MEET THE GUYS
Gary Blomberg
Gary Blomberg (Gary B) started singing in the early 60's in his hometown of Milford CT where he sang with a local group, Station VI. It was at a gig with that band that he met his wife, Ginger, of 50 years.
Gary's interests eventually turned to theater where he has become an award winning actor and director. He has appeared on TV, in dinner theaters, cabarets, commercials, and has hosted his own call-in radio show in Stamford CT. Gary's versatility on stage has allowed him to perform a wide range of featured roles such as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls and Fagin in Oliver, to Harold Hill in The Music Man. His directorial successes include "Tuesdays with Morrie" for Boca Grand's Royal Palm Players, and "Guys and Dolls" for the Charlotte Players which was acclaimed in the Charlotte Sun as "A work of art".
A chance encounter with a Doo-Wop group in CT while he and Ginger were out to dinner celebrating their 40th anniversary rekindled Gary's love for music.... the way it used to be. Upon relocating to Florida, he immediately sought out vocal opportunities in that genre and to his delight, he eventually joined the Goldtones in 2013. Gary feels both honored to be part of such a professional group and blessed that with his association he has found new friends and new opportunities to keep the memories alive.
Ed Diana
Ed started singing professionally at 18 with the original 5 man group "The Orkells" in New Haven, Connecticut. At that time, New Haven was a hot bed of successful groups like the Five Satins, The Nutmegs, The Academics, The Premiers and more.
Early in Ed's career he was Vice President of the New Haven Junior Chamber of Commerce. One of their projects was presenting the "POPS" at Yale Bowl. They brought in popular music groups such as: Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis, Herb Albert and many more.
Ed later teamed up with a friend to write and produce music for themselves as a duo, and other regional artists. Ed had several songs published and Recorded on the Beltone Record Label and Registered with "Broadcast Music Inc." (BMI) in New York City. Ed's music arranger was Joe Rene who wrote many R&B songs, including "Tossin & Turnin" sung by Bobby Lewis.
Ed hosted a talk show for a central Connecticut Radio Station, and also had considerable air time as a DJ playing all his favorite music. He also owned and operated an advertising/ marketing agency for over 25 years. He is responsible for some of the largest sales promotions in the northeast.
Ed enjoys singing the Oldies since they bring back such great memories. Ed lives with his wife Annette in Punta Gorda, and both are also very active within the community.
Mike Nelson
Mike grew up in the Philippines where at the age of five he began harmonizing on church stages with his family. As a young man in Manila he joined The Madrigals ‘n Guys developing a passion for tight harmonies and live performance. After cutting a record, they toured the Philippines, Europe, and across the USA, frequently entertaining our troops at military bases.
While in college, Mike received formal voice training as a solo performer. With The Abundant Life Singers, he recorded several albums and toured in Australia and across the USA. Mike performed as a solo artist in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania promoting various non-profit organizations. He transitioned to singing oldies as a founding member of the vocal band, Classic Blend. The group performed and recorded standards, jazz, doo wop, Motown tunes, and covered the tight harmonies of Manhattan Transfer.
Mike discovered THE GOLDTONES in the fall of 2015 and began following their performances. After responding to an audition posting, he was invited to fill in for one of the members during an illness. They were a good fit, and he was honored to be invited to join the group in 2016.
Mike resides in North Port with his wife, Sally. He likes to say he got his “instrument” for free from his Heavenly Father and loves to share the gift of song with anyone who enjoys great music.
JIM BRAMANTE
Born and raised in Boston's East End, Jim began his entertainment career at age 17.After attending Berklee College of Music as a Composition/Performance major, Jim spent the next several years on the road with nationally based show bands serving as guitarist/vocalist and principal musical arranger, having the opportunity to perform with featured artists Bill Cosby, Sheena Easton, Barbara Mandrell and the Capital Steps. Most recently Jim had the chance to work with the late Boston jazz legends Al Vega and Ray Santisi.
Several years ago Jim co-founded a 9 piece Doo-wop group in the Boston area, Doo-wop Deville, where he wrote most of the group's vocall and musical arrangements.. In time he moved on to become a member of another well established Boston based A Capella vocal group called Street Magic
Upon relocating to Bonita Springs, FL. Jim looked to continue his singing career with an active vocal group just as the Goldtones were looking for an experienced doo-wop singer. One rehearsal was all it took to determine that the fit was good and Jim joined the group just prior to the New Year's Eve show at Cape Cabaret in 2020 with only 3 rehearsals. It takes a pro to pull that off!
SAL PRADO
Sal started his singing career in Detroit about 1956. Like most groups at the time, he sang street corner Doo Wop harmony. In 1958, he later joined a well-known local group called “The Latin Counts”. They were an active vocal group with a very large following.
Continuing his career, he sang with a Motown group called The Valaiders. They had a hit record, "Greetings" on the popular Gordy Label.
Later, achieving success on his own, Sal signed a record contract with Motown Records as a single artist. In 1970 Sal teamed up with the Detroit Group known as, “The Reflections”. They went on to have a big national hit, "Just like Romeo and Juliet”. He has toured nationally with The Reflections, sharing the stage with many well known artists, and has been seen on PBS in many of their Doo-Wop television shows.
After “The Reflections”, Sal and his wife Andrea retired to Florida. Once again, wanting to continue performing, Sal along with his wife as a duo set out to perform around Florida.
In 2019, Sal was recruited to temporarily fill in for Johhny G. His professional contribution to the group was immediately recognized and Sal was asked to be a permanent member of The Goldtones.
John Gualberto
John recorded his first record at age 13 in1959. Followed by two albums by the age of 16 and has been doing so ever since. This led to his signing a personal management and production contract with JATA ENTERPRISES ("Jay and the Americans"), and was signed as a recording artist with United Artists Records in 1969.
John has worked closely with many famous performers such as Walter Becker and Donald Fagan(Steely Dan), The Brooklyn Bridge, the Coasters, the Dovels, Acadamy Award winning song- writer Frankie Previtte (Dirty Dancing) and many more. He has also written many songs that were released nationally. Johnny G also worked as an actor for 8 years. He had a steady role for five years as a prison guard on the HBO dramatic series "OZ", also "Law and Order", "Ed" and many motion pictures such as "The Siege" "Runaway Bride", "The Interpreter", "Analyze That" among others.
Johnny G is one of the founding members of the Goldtones. He is currently on medical leave and is convalescing at his New Jersey home with his wife of 51 years, Ann. The Goldtones look forward to John's return with his strong falsetto and his onstage humor!
The Goldtones are one of Florida's premiere vocal harmony groups singing songs ranging from the traditional doo-wop tunes of the 50s and 60s to those melodies sung by later groups of the 70s and 80s.
The Goldtones have been performing in Florida for over 10 years and have earned a reputation for tight harmonies and performing the classics just like you remember them. Where were you when you first heard, "In the Still of the Night"? When you hear it again at a concert, you'll be brought right back to that place, that date.... That reputation was recognized by Elliott Lurie of "Looking Glass" (best known for their number one hit, "Brandy") who requested that The Goldtones back him up when performing an original doo-wop song that he wrote.
With a repertoire that includes "Blue Moon", "Run Around Sue" and "Teenager in Love", they also sing the big harmony songs like "Have you Heard?" and "Turn Around". Some of the most memorable songs are those recorded by The Duprees, Dion and the Belmonts, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons and The Bee Gees.
The Goldtones are considered "Florida's Hottest Vocal Harmony Group" and it's a label they don't take lightly as they continue to challenge themselves to be the best in the industry. Under the capable former leadership of co-founder Ed Diana, and the current leadership of Gary Blomberg, The Goldtones have become the most requested harmony group in Floirida and have developed a consistent performing schedule of 80-100 gigs/year in a variety of venues including cruise ships, restaurants, dinner clubs, theaters, casinos, residential communities and private venues. Audiences love them not only for their vocal talents but for their humor and their audience interaction. There's never a dull moment with entertainment by The Goldtones!