In 1962 Jack Abert founded the Beach Boys-inspired The Monterays. In 1966, Abert’s younger brother Dan Elliott and his group, known as The Dimensions, were invited to merge with the Monterays. Although the lineup has changed several times over 50 years, the music and name remain the same, and Elliott continues carrying the torch. “This is looking like the busiest summer ever with the band,” Elliott says. The group performs a noon show on Friday, July 20, at the New York Stare Fairgrounds’ Empire Room during the annual Syracuse Nationals car show ($12-$17/adults; $6-$8/ages 6-12; free/5 and under), and later that night heads to Vernon Downs, 4229 Stuhlman Road, Vernon, for a 9 p.m. bar gig at Ring Eyed Pete’s. Then it’s back to the Nationals at the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 21, 2 p.m., at Chevy Court. The current Monterays lineup includes Ron Lauback, his son Ronnie Dark, Wayne Muller and Ted Boileau. “We play the songs of the 1960s, the ones people grew up with,” Elliott says. “It’s emotional for them. And now we’ve got some very talented new guys in the group to keep it going.” And merging music with Mopar (among other automotive offerings) at the Nationals is especially appropriate. “We’re paying tribute to the great American muscle car,” Elliott says. “When we were young we all had our GTOs.” For more information, visit danelliottandthemonterays.com.
