The holiday season will get a spectacular musical start when the Pure Gold Showband takes the stage for a special Christmas Concert on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at the Lincoln High School Auditorium. The concert will serve as a fundraiser for the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival, bringing the community together for an evening of outstanding live entertainment while supporting one of the area’s signature annual events.
Concertgoers can expect much more than a night of music. They can look forward to a full-scale entertainment experience built on decades of musical excellence, crowd interaction, polished choreography, and nonstop energy. With a reputation for delivering unforgettable performances, Pure Gold promises an evening filled with familiar favorites, powerful vocals, and the kind of showmanship that has made the group a regional favorite for nearly five decades.
Festival organizer Bonnie Balin said the group will perform Christmas music and also some of their everyday favorites.
Tickets are $25, and concertgoers are encouraged to purchase their tickets early. Get tickets here. With Pure Gold’s dynamic stage presence and broad appeal across generations, this special holiday concert is an event music lovers will not want to miss. Attending the concert is also a wonderful way to support the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival and help ensure its continued success.
Nearly Five Decades of Musical Excellence
Based in Pittsburgh and serving the tri-state region, Pure Gold traces its roots back to 1978, when Henry and Susan DeLuca launched a five-member a cappella group called Acapella Gold. Performing locally without a backing band, the group steadily grew in popularity. As demand increased, musicians were added, eventually transforming the ensemble into the showband known today as Pure Gold. The band played in July at the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival, and Ellwoodcity.org caught up with the band’s manager prior to their performance at the festival.
“The group started as a doo wop group and we wanted to give the band a retro name because we play the music and songs that people know and love,” said Mike Lathom, lead vocalist and band manager.
Over nearly five decades, Pure Gold has evolved into a 12-piece showband combining powerhouse vocals, polished choreography, a full horn section, and a dynamic rhythm section. The group performs throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond, appearing at theaters, festivals, community events, and concert venues. Its performance résumé includes appearances at The Benedum, Heinz Hall, Capital Theatre, Palace Theatre, Oaks Theatre, and Penn Theatre.
For the Ellwood City community, the November concert will offer an opportunity to experience the group’s signature sound and showmanship in a special holiday-season setting.
A Soundtrack for Generations
What began as a doo-wop act has grown into a versatile showband performing an expansive catalog of music from the 1960s through the 2000s. Its repertoire includes oldies, soul, rock, pop, disco, soft rock, and R&B, giving audiences of all ages plenty of reasons to sing along.
Pure Gold covers a wide range of artists and bands, from Bruno Mars and Journey to Earth, Wind & Fire. The band plays familiar favorites such as:
- Tennessee Whiskey
- Billie Jean
- A Motown Medley
- Sweet Caroline
- Hold the Line
- I Have Nothing
- Uptown Funk
- September
- Let’s Stay Together
- Proud Mary
- Don’t Stop Believin’
- Superstition
- For the Longest Time
The band’s broad musical catalog, energetic presentation, and ability to connect with audiences make it an ideal choice for a community concert celebrating the joy of music during the holiday season.
Meet the Band
The current Pure Gold Showband features a talented lineup of performers and musicians who bring the group’s signature sound, versatility, and stage presence to life.
Mike Lathom – Lead Vocals and Manager
Lathom serves as both the band’s manager and one of its lead vocalists, helping guide the group’s vision while delivering energetic performances on stage.
Josie Crooks – Lead Vocals
Crooks adds vocal versatility and stage charisma to the group’s five-vocalist lineup.
Bill Dell – Lead Vocals
Dell contributes powerful lead vocals and helps create the rich harmonies that have become a hallmark of the Pure Gold sound.
Leah Moore – Lead Vocals
Moore’s dynamic vocal style brings added depth and variety to the band’s broad musical repertoire.
David Kiss – Lead Vocals
Kiss rounds out the lead vocal team, helping deliver everything from classic Motown favorites to contemporary hits.
Larry Siefers – Keyboards, Saxophone, Harmonica, Flute and Vocals
One of the band’s most versatile musicians, Siefers contributes multiple instrumental textures while also adding vocals.
Bob Prince – Baritone Saxophone and Keyboards
Prince strengthens the band’s horn section while adding keyboard support to the ensemble.
Kevin McManus – Trombone
McManus provides the trombone sound that helps give Pure Gold’s arrangements their big-band feel.
Gene Laus – Trumpet
Laus adds punch and excitement to the horn section with his trumpet performances.
Paul Martello – Drums, Percussion and Background Vocals
Martello anchors the rhythm section, keeping the band’s energy moving while adding vocal support.
Don Garvin – Lead Guitar
Garvin’s guitar work drives many of the rock, soul, and pop selections in the band’s repertoire.
Ray Falcsik – Bass Guitar
Falcsik provides the groove and foundation that keep audiences dancing throughout every performance.
Music, Community, and a Worthwhile Cause
The Christmas Concert is more than an opportunity to enjoy an exceptional night of live entertainment. It is also a chance for the community to come together in support of the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food & Entertainment Festival.
The festival is an important part of Ellwood City’s community life, bringing residents and visitors together to celebrate local talent, food, arts, crafts, and entertainment. Fundraising events such as this concert help support the continued success of the festival and its future offerings.
Audiences can expect a visually engaging performance as well as a memorable musical experience. According to Lathom, “We are a fully produced and choreographed show from start to finish. As well as being appealing to the ears, there is a visual aspect people are constantly moving around and dancing.”
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