Capturing the real Dino style

Hey pallies, today's Dino-gram comes from the web presence of the "Tribune" in Welland Ontario Canada. Tribune staff writer Mr. Allan Benner shares this feature on Dino-emulator Mr. David Iannandrea, who took top honors in the Dino-impersonatin' contest held in Stu-ville durin' Dino-fest 2010.

Loves readin' Iannandrea's Dino-testimony of the competition and how he found his way to Dino-emulation. We say our thanks to Mr. Allan Benner for featurin' Iannandrea's Dino-tale and we express our Dino-appreciato to David Iannandrea for helpin' to spread Dino-devotion through his work for Dino.

BTW. pallies, as Dino-usual, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram to read this Dino-prose in it's original format...and checks out the link in the article to goes to Mr. Iannandrea's pad. Dino-devotedly, DMP

Capturing the real Dino style

Posted By ALLAN BENNER , TRIBUNE STAFF



David Iannandrea, who won first place in a Dean Martin singing competition, will be performing during the Variety Nites by the Canal concert series on Wednesday at Merritt Park.

ALLAN BENNER Staff Photo


Winning first place was great, but it wasn't the biggest thrill David Iannandrea had last weekend.

The local crooner beat eight other Dean Martin impersonators for the top prize at the 15th annual Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio, last month.

"It was the easiest $250 I made in my life. I sang for two minutes," he said with a laugh.


For Iannandrea, the highlight of the two-day event held in Martin's hometown was a chance to sing for the late singer's daughter, Deana Martin, who regularly attends the festival.

"The look on Deana's face when she got to hear me sing live there -- it was just priceless. Her eyes were wide open.

"It was kind of a cool thing to be able to sing for the daughter of Dean Martin."

Iannandrea said he started his singing career as an Elvis Presley impersonator. But three or four years ago, after being told he sounded more like Martin than Presley -- even when he was singing Presley songs -- he decided to change acts.

"People kept saying, 'David, you sound like Dino.' I thought they were just saying it to be nice.

"It took me a long time to finally break down and buy a tuxedo and do the tribute. Dino was the coolest guy. I don't like copying anyone to be honest, but I had so many people tell me, 'I close my eyes and it's like Dean's in the room.'"

Even when singing country songs, people tell him he sounds like Martin -- "So what am I suppose to do?

"It's really cool. I don't even have to try to sound like him."