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'Hanky Panky' at Penn's Peak

It was pretty obvious why singer Tommy James had a sellout crowd at Penn's Peak on Saturday.

His performance was incredible, he sang every one of his major hits, he signed autographs, and he delivered what the audience wanted to hear.Wearing all black, James put on a 75-minute concert that had the crowd cheering, clapping, and even dancing.There was one minor problem early in the show but it wasn't his fault. His amplifiers quit working just when he ended his first song.It took about five minutes for the crew to get the amps working again. "This is damn embarrassing, isn't it," James said to the audience, showing his frustration to an otherwise perfect show.The fans didn't seem to mind.After that, it was an uninterrupted event that took the spectators on a joyful trip down the proverbial Memory Lane.He opened the concert with "Dragging the Line" and followed it with the major hit "Crystal Blue Persuasion."James told the audience how most of his hits occurred on the Roulette Records label, a company which had organized crime in management. Because of the Roulette management, major labels who showed interest in him backed off.As a result, he wrote a tell-all book titled "Me, the Mob and the Music," which was available at the show and can be purchased on the Tommy James web site.He mentioned that the book is being made into a major movie.The very last song in the movie is an acoustic version of the hit, "I Think We're Alone Now."He sang the movie version as well as the original version. Both got great audience response.All the songs James sang on stage sounded just like they did on records ... songs like "Mony, Mony," "Crimson and Clover," and "Getting Together."At one point, James left the stage to personally greet audience members, shaking hands with the people in the first few rows.He said he appreciates the fans and signed hundreds of autographs after the concert.James said his career began in Pennsylvania. He became a huge success playing in dance clubs in Pittsburgh.On the Penn's Peak stage, James showed the amazing ability to make the audience feel that it was a special concert, not one that is done in halls across the nation. His voice was strong, his songs were vibrant, and his style was charismatic.For his curtain call, he did the songs "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "Mirage."Mike Solfis of Old Forge was sad to see the concert end. Solfis was one of the people in the audience who got to shake hands with the performer when he came off the stage."He's a great guy," Solfis said. "I saw him at Bethel, New York. He appreciates his fans."Linda Beatress of Jim Thorpe agreed, saying, "He's dynamic. Where can you go to a show where every song he sings is a hit?""He's flawless," Beatress said.She said she managed to buy the last two tickets available for the concert.Coming next to Penn's Peak is "Back to the Garden 1969" on Friday at 8 p.m."Back to the Garden 1969" is a group of seasoned players who have toured, performed, and recorded nationally. The musicians all are multi-instrumentalists, as well as unique lead vocalists.

RON GOWER/TIMES NEWS Singer Tommy James performs at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, Saturday. James sang all his major hits including "Crimson and Clover" and "Hanky Panky."