Testimonials

February 12, 2011 Private Party

Dear Pete, Steve, Charlie, Pete and Roy

I can never thank you enough for making my wife's 40th birthday in Massachusetts an event to remember for the rest of our lives. I was raised with my parents playing Doo-Wop when I was young and I attended a few Oldies concerts with them in Pittsburgh. Few original Doo-Wop are around these days and none can still match the quality of The Encounters. You guys are a national treasure.

In addition to the quality of your music, we appreciated your good-natured personalities and professionalism. Despite traveling from New York to Worcester, MA on the same day, you showed up early and as fresh as if you just driven down the street. These are rare qualities. Christine and I especially enjoyed how you easily changed the words of Oh, Rosemarie to Oh, Christine. The crowd was also amazed by your talents and my daughters are now continually playing your CD. My remaining wish is that someday my parents and other great Doo-Wop fans also get a chance to see you.

I will track your events and hope to see you soon. Please let me know if I can ever do anything for you.

Sincerely, your friend and admirer,

Dr. John J. Thomas

Northborough, MA

Patchogue Theatre 9/27/08

What a refreshing sound. Four of us went to the show on September 27^th. None of us every heard you before. What a surprise! Refreshing and most enjoyable. I purchased your “Don’t Stop” CD and really enjoy it. At intermission you were in a hurry to leave the theatre, but each of you stopped to sign the picture and talk. What a nice group of men. Keep the Doo Wops going. Really love your sound!

Dorothy Linzy

P.S. Thanks for the song “Dorothy”

DAILY NEWS ARTICLE ON THE ENCOUNTERS

this is from that 65th surprise party in StoneyBrook NY

Hi Pete,

I can’t say thank you enough. You guys were wonderful. I can’t remember when I smiled and laughed so much. My cheeks hurt. Vito loved it – absolutely loved it. And you were all so pleasant and nice and friendly. All the guests thought it was fabulous. (I hate that word) But I just can’t think of enough adjectives to tell you how exciting it was to meet all of you. And to hear you sing – it was super. This was the best thing that’s happened in ages. The picture will be framed and placed in a prominent place, as they say. And thank you for the cd s. I’m sorry it was such a pain to get to the house. I’m not even sure I could find it by myself. But I’m a Queens girl.

Oh, the poor guy that kept getting hit with the umbrella, he should get hazard pay. I didn’t realize that till I saw the pictures. That umbrella musta been a real pain. I’ll send you the pictures when Vito works his magic with the cord that goes from the camera to the computer. Hee hee And my friend Vinny, he was thrilled to meet the group. Amazing that he and one of your guys (I’m faking it here cause I can’t remember his name) knew David from the Renditions. Small world sometimes.

I just can’t thank you all enough. When I saw you all get out of your cars – you looked so spectacular. Thank you so much. I could just repeat it a zillion times. But I mean it sincerely.

If I can ever do anything to help you – I don’t know what, carry your bags, whatever, please let me know.

Thank you again.

Pat Panico

The June 6th concert at the Castle of Knights was a tremendous success! Held before a near-sellout crowd at the Castle of Knights, the show opened with the quartet from Brooklyn/NJ, YesterDaze. Making their second appearance, they mesmerized the audience with their fine musicianship and excellent vocals. Whether doing their Four Seasons medley or doo wop from Dion & the Belmonts or the hair-raising finale of Eddie Holman's "Hey There Lonely Boy," this group deserved the standing ovations they received. They were followed by the a cappella giants the Encounters from NY, also making their second appearance. Singing with one man absent, they stilled wowed the crowd with their diverse repertoire, tight harmonies and super stage presence. All of their songs were done with style, polish and grace. You wouldn't expect anything else from this talented group! Then came the Man - Kenny Vance and his multi-taled group, the Planotones. He held the audience in the palm of his hand for the entire 90- minute set. Doing the now famous "Planotone Walk" to tunes like "Cara Mia" (which brought the house down!), to "Looking For An Echo" to "Lorraine," is was one set NEVER before seen ANYWHERE in Massachusetts! Like Kenny, the Encounters & YestarDaze hung out with the crowd later, signing pictures, CDs, DVDs and everything else in sight. Like the Dells once proclaimed...."Oh, What A Night." If you missed it.........shame on you.

THIS WAS TAKEN FROM THE NEW ENGLAND DOO-WOP SOCIETY WEBSITE..... APPROVED BY GARY JONES

6-20-08

Dear Pete, Hutch, Charlie, Pete & Steve

What a wonderful show you put on for us. We enjoyed it immensely. And I listened very carefully. You are a very skillful and talented group (I know I'm not telling you anything you don't know but wanted you to know that I know!) who executed every note with perfection. Masterful! And very entertaining. Our guests loved the show. I only now wish we had engaged a professional videographer. I hope we have another occasion to engage "The Encounters." I will spread the word about you.

Yours, Jeff Alexander

(6/6/2007)

DAILY NEWS.....SATURDAY ... SEPTEMBER 5, 1998

A lot of white guys have gotten together over the years to sing rhythm and blues vocal-group music and while the defining groups of the form have been black , many of the white guys haven't been half-bad .

The Encounters formed in Bushwick in 1963 and have been singing ever since. Two guys have been there from the beginning-- Peter Milazzo and Charlie DiComo-- and now they have another CD on the Collectable label. It's called, " Don't Stop", and its First Rate stuff: lively and smooth versions primarily of classics like "Lorraine" and " So You Will Know".

That's a tribute to the music .... Also to the Encounters, who sound like they sing because they like it .... There is no better reason......

-- David Hinckley--

Here is a group of gentlemen who are much more that just a local acappella aggregation... They date back to 1963, with their hit song Don't Stop on Swan Records.
The guys have continued to produce smooth harmony through the years, leading up to this, their latest effort ..."Back To The Street".

They continue singing and performing in one dynamic way !!!

....Don K. Reed