Your television

program goes to commercial and you begin to hear some beautiful sounds.

A singer croons

the words, "Roses are red, my love," and you realize the singer

is Bobby Vinton. As the commercial continues, titles of songs like, "Blue

Velvet," "Mr. Lonely," and "My Melody of Love"

float up the screen. This weekend, Vinton brings the songs of his illustrious

career to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City.

Vinton was

born in Canonsburg, Pa., into a musical family. His father, Stan Vinton,

was the band leader of a popular local band and encouraged his son to

study music. Vinton formed his first band at the age of 16 and used the

money he earned to help finance his education at Duquesne University.

He studied music at the school and learned to play many instruments, including

piano, drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and oboe. He graduated with

a degree in musical composition and recently received an honorary doctoral

degree from the school.

After college

Vinton joined the Army and then began pursuing a career in music. He and

his band appeared on Guy Lombardo's television program "TV Talent

Scouts" and soon landed a contract with Epic Records. His first single

was "Roses Are Red," which climbed to number one on the charts

and sold over four million copies worldwide. Other hits followed including

"Blue on Blue," ""Please Love Me Forever," "Sealed

With A Kiss," and "Everyday of My Life."

His success

was not only in music. He had a weekly syndicated television series which

lasted three years, hosted a variety special that triumphed over "Monday

Night Football" the night it aired. He then jumped from the television

screen to the silver screen and starred in two John Wayne movies: "Big

Jake" and "The Train Robbers."

Music has always

been what brought Vinton the most joy and success. He was awarded over

a dozen gold records and albums in his career. He sold over 50 million

records in his career and has received hundreds of accolades including

a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He continues to headline in Las

Vegas and Atlantic City as well as tour the world over 20 weeks a year.

There are 35

standing-room-only tickets available for each night of Vinton's performances

this weekend. The tickets go on sale at 6:30 p.m. and allow people to

watch the show from either the back or the dance floor. For information,

call 770-631-0630.

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