Morristown neighbors to play hometown stage

The Lidgerwood Park area of Morristown will be well-represented at this February’s Morristown’s Got Talent when The Bottle Openers take their talents to the Mayo stage.

The band features Rich Klingman, 57, a managing director at a bank, Chris Bishop, 47, an engineer, Steve Chirico, 50, an account executive for Microsoft, and Fred Dones, 63, an IT professional, playing a variety of instruments while covering music from a range of genres and performing some original songs.

The Bottle Openers formed through a “perfect storm” of band members’ children being friends and living within a block of each other, making weekly jam sessions easy to schedule.

“Our weekly practices on Friday nights usually involve some serious work on our music and a lot of camaraderie and fun that often involves spouses and friends joining us,” said Klingman, who converted his basement into “Electric Lidgerland Studios.”

They’ve seen family and friends perform at Morristown’s Got Talent in the past and decided this was the year they would take a chance and audition.

“We feel truly honored just to be a part of Morristown’s Got Talent and feel that the reasons we should win are the same for all contestants,” Klingman said. “What we bring to the table is an unbridled love of what we do, a lot of energy and an exciting and original arrangement of two songs that are otherwise unlikely bedfellows.”

At the show, the Bottle Openers will cover the song “Wagon Wheel” by the folk band Old Crow Medicine Show. The band will then transition to the oft-covered jazz song “Liza Jane,” which is more than 100 years old.

“We had been playing the two as separate numbers and decided to merge them into a medley of sorts,” Klingman said. “We liked the result and were very encouraged by the feedback. It’s a unique combination, so we felt it would be a good choice for the competition. We’re taking a backward look into Americana music.”

If they win, The Bottle Openers plan to purchase some sound equipment and a have a victory celebration with family and friends, but they’ll consider picking up some new fans a big win.

Following the February show, the band hopes to play more live venues, continue to record more original music, and to have fun.

Morristown's Got Talent

What: A show featuring the best amateur talent from Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains presented by and benefiting the Morris Educational Foundation

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 25

Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. in Morristown

Tickets: On sale Monday, Feb. 2, at the Mayo center. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 973-539-8008 or online at www.mayoarts.org.