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About Us.
Meet the Band.
The Collegiates began their beach music entertainment in the mid 1960's. As friends in high school, they were drawn to the same kind of music and quickly found their niche reproducing the music they loved. Their travels took them to most parts of the southeastern US. They performed with such artists and groups as the Drifters, Tams, Major Lance, The Showmen and The Platters, to name a few.
Today, The Collegiates have gotten the band back together, mostly to renew old friendships but also to perform the hits of yesterday including some of the 'original' beach music favorites. The Collegaites today consist of Fred Amos, Mike DiFoggio, Otis Harris, Steve Neal, Danny Pierce, Randy Rich and Ron Tilley. To learn more about our history throughout the years, click here.
The Collegiates love playing for beach music lovers of all ages! To book us for your next event, click here. Thank you for checking us out!
Fred Amos (November 28, 1948 - January 23, 2022)
Original Member
Keyboards
Fred started playing guitar with neighborhood bands at the age of 14. At the age of 16, Fred met and started playing with current Collegiates Danny Pierce and Mike DiFoggio. When their keyboard player left, Fred decided to take on the keyboards. Fred played with The Collegiates most of their touring career.
Unfortunately, Fred passed away in 2022 due to Covid complications. Fred was a valued member of the High Point community as well as a cornerstone for The Collegiates. If you knew Fred, you knew how much he loved The Collegiates and raising funds for community organizations. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mike DiFoggio
Original Member
Vocals
As an original Collegiate in the 1960's, Mike was vocalist and trumpet player. As the band dissolved in the early 70's, Mike went back on the road, but this time as a 'rag man' selling men's and ladies clothing and accessories. Later he felt the calling to direct a Christian home for boys in Greensboro. After approximately seven years with the boy's home and a ministry outreach for troubled youth, Mike began his new career in the medical capital equipment field. He called on Hospital's and physician's offices for over 30 years. At the end of 2016 he retired from medical sales but continues to help his wife, Terry, operate their two hair salons in High Point. His biggest enjoyment in retirement is being with his grandchildren.
Otis Harris
Original Member
Bass & Vocals
Otis began playing music at the young age of 7 and the Stratatones were the first band he ever played in. Otis later founded the Collegiates and went on to become a founding member of the Part Time Party Time Band. In 2014 Otis reunited the Collegiates where he enjoys playing bass and guitar.
Steve Neal
Original Member
Sax & Vocals
Steve has been playing music since the young age of 8 years old. He was drum major in the Ragsdale High School Marching Band and played first chair tenor saxophone in the NC All-State Band for three years. He has played in the backup bands for, or played on the same showbill with The Tams, Showmen, Dixie cups, Archie Bell, Impressions, Platters, Clifford Curry, Major Lance, Elvin Hayes and others. He financed his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with music performances. He later graduated from the UNC School of Dentistry and practiced in Madison, NC for 34 years and continues to practice part time in Greensboro. He enjoys teaching young people about music and started R&R bands with his sons when they were young.
Danny Pierce
Original Member
Vocals & Sax
In 45 years Danny has shared the stage with many soul and rock music greats - from Little Anthony to ZZ Top.
His credits include lead vocals and sax with: The Part Time Party Time Band, The Catalinas, Bob Collins and the Fabulous Five, The Collegiates, Flagstone, and the original Cannonball
Randy Rich
Guitar & Vocals
As a native of High Point, NC Randy started playing in many bands throughout the area by the age of 13. Local bands like the Casuals, the Hysterics and many others influenced Randy’s love of homegrown Beach Music from the 60’s as well as motown. He’s enjoyed playing music most of his life and is honored to be playing with the Collegiates.
Sammy Forshee
Drums & Vocals
Sammy grew up in the High Point/Thomasville area and started playing drums at the age of 10. Influenced by Buddy Rich, Sammy has played with Grand Strand, Cannon Ball, Seaside Band and Atlantic Coast Highway over the years.
He was also the founding member and drummer with The East Coast Rivers. We are honored to have Sammy as a part of The Collegiates.
Professional Sound provided by Piedmont Audio.
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