Ray Charles is inspiration for band to play at Bodles

Chester — Ray Charles was a master at singing jazz, classic R&B, some funk and standards, and even country. His music is the inspiration for Whitley and the Hard Times Band, a group of musicians who like to do justice to Brother Ray’s sound. They will be coming to Bodles Opera House in Chester for a performance at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 5. Whitley is the lead vocalist. The other singers are Angela Workman, an original Raylette, Jennifer McDonald and Branice McKenzie. Bobby Deitch plays drums; Joe Macaro, bass; James Spears and Jeremy Goddard, keyboards; Greg George, John Farnsworth and Mitch Endick, saxophone; and Joyce Toth, trumpet. Tickets for dinner and the show are $45. On Monday, May 6, Larry Chance and the Earls will play their 1950s doo-wop music at Bodles. Their familiar harmonies are from the beat of the streets of Philadelphia and the Bronx, including hits like “Remember Then,” “Life is But a Dream,” “Never,” and “I Believe.” Chance will also do some comedy, as he did for 10 years on the “Imus in the Morning” radio show as the voice of characters such as Geraldo Santana Banana and Rainbow Johnson. HotFlash will open the 7:30 p.m. show with comedy and musical entertainment. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for dinner and the show. Gaelic Storm, from the band from the steerage scene of “Titanic,” the movie, will play Celtic music at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7. Tickets for that show are $27.50. For more information, call 469-4595.