I'm not an accordion fan at all, but I was a friend of Tony Lovello, who, evidently was a bigger deal than I thought.

He managed the Campbell house hotel here in Lexington for 31 years, after he had lost hearing in one ear. I worked ther playing in both th dining room and lounge for about 5 years. He introduced me to Petosa music, a Seattle based high end accordion and (at the time) Auto Orchestra dealer. I bought my first MS-60 arranger from them (still using it after 20 years).

Tony had a hard time playing in real time with good players because of his hearing, but we'd listen to his old Three Suns records, which were tight like a wind-up clock. On big holidays, he would write a floor-show for the lounge...hokey as hell but quite a production.

Accordion players certainly know who he was. Viewing is at 5:00 PM today and the funeral is in the morning.

Even if you're like me...not so much a fan of the instrument, he is certainly worth Googling.

All the best to Joella and the rest of his extended family.

Russ