Rob​ Ondras

Of Frogs and Kings...

 

After my shows, there are two questions that many people ask me: 1. Have you met Neil Diamond?  And, 2. How many years of practicing did it take you to sound so much like Neil Diamond?

 

 Well, the first question has the shortest answer.  So, let's start with that one.  No.  However, at one of his concerts, I was close enough that I could have reached out and touched him.  And, no, I didn't!  

 

 The answer to the second question is a little longer.  And, here it is:

 

 It was never my intention to perform a tribute based on the songs of Neil Diamond.  It never even crossed my mind.  

 

 I have always loved Neil Diamond's songs.  And I have always thought of him as nothing less than an amazing singer, songwriter and entertainer.  But, up until April 2013, I had maybe three or four Neil Diamond songs in my entire repertoire.  Most of my repertoire consisited of artists such as Jim Croce, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot and Jimmy Buffett.  

 

 After a few years of being a solo guitarist (or, as I called myself, a saloon singer) on cruise lines playing music in the lounges, I had more and more people commenting to me how much I sounded like Neil Diamond.  Or, they would ask me to learn one or more of their favorite Neil Diamond songs.  

 

 Eventually, I asked the cruise director of the ship I was on at the time, if I could borrow the rhythm section from the orchestra and perform a set of Neil Diamond songs in one of the lounges.  The cruise director agreed. But, under one condition. He insisted that I perform the Neil Diamond show in the theater with full orchestra.  When he saw, and heard the reaction from the audience after the first show, he began featuring my show in the theater every cruise through the end of my contract on that ship.  And, every subsequent contract, I had the good fortune of "A Hot Diamond Night" being featured in the theater as well.

 

When I close my show, I end by thanking the orchestra, the production crew and many others.  And, lastly I thank the audience for allowing me "to be that frog who dreamed of being a king...and then became one".

 

There have been so many people involved in the making and strengthening of "A Hot Diamond Night".  Obviously, if it weren't for Neil Diamond, I wouldn't be performing this show.  So, thank you, Neil.  And, thank you to the cruise directors who saw the spark that would eventually become a fire.  I am eternally grateful to you.