McCartney Times

URBANA —Tony Burlingame always wanted to be a Beatle. Although he never played with John, George or Ringo, he’s got wings of his own when it comes to Sir Paul McCartney.Just like Macca, Burlingame is a left-handed bass player who looks a lot like “the cute Beatle” and sports a dead-on imitation of the familiar Liverpudlian accent.Maybe you’ll be amazed when Burlingame brings The McCartney Project, a celebration of solo, Wings and Beatles music, to the Gloria Theatre on Jan. 14.It’s the first concert of the year for the Life Goes On Tour, a reference borrowed from the McCartney-penned Beatles tune “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”“Every generation discovers The Beatles, young and old, and we’ve got a good thing going,” said Burlingame.It’s hardly a one-man show. The McCartney Project features its own Linda McCartney in keyboard and percussionist Sara Reat, lead guitarist Robb Anagnostis, guitarist, bassist and keyboard player Lar Wolkan and drummer Phil Stearns.Each is active in other bands and joins in the vocals.McCartney isn’t the only Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Burlingame portrays. The Columbus-area musician also does Roy Orbison on occasion.

Source: Paul McCartney tribute, The McCartney Project, in Urbana.