Monthly Archives: March 2026

Gianni opens the show with co-host Jeanie Raymond and interviews his longtime friend Bobby Vinton by audio only at Vinton’s request. They discuss Vinton’s major hits “Blue Velvet” (1963) and “Mr. Lonely,” his ongoing nerve issues from shingles and his regret about not getting the shingles shot, and memories of Russo’s spaghetti dinners for Vinton’s family in Las Vegas. Vinton recounts awkwardly telling Dean Martin he topped Billboard airplay (with Sinatra present) and describes how his Polish hit “My Melody of Love” led to a syndicated variety show, though none of his children pursued performing beyond son Rob helping manage. Russo plugs upcoming appearances and books, mentions a planned $50 million film, and Vinton shares a story about an impostor “John Wayne Jr.” that ultimately helped him befriend John Wayne. The show closes with “Mr. Lonely.”

On the Hollywood Godfather podcast, Gianni and Jeanie talk with Dr. Daniel Conti III about Russo’s return to Goodfellas Restaurant/Doc Social Club in Garfield, New Jersey on March 26, including dinner, an expanded Q&A, meet-and-greet, and book signing for Russo’s Hollywood Godfather and Mafia Secrets; the $150 price includes tax and tip. Conti describes the intimate speakeasy-like upstairs venue, the themed restaurant rooms, and the menu highlights. He shares his father Dr. Daniel Conti Jr.’s path as a physician-actor who appeared in films connected to Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, and Tommy DeVito, opened the restaurant in 1991, and maintained friendships that influenced casting stories around Raging Bull. They discuss Conti III continuing the family legacy while still practicing medicine, plus his monthly “Goodfellas to Godfellas” spiritual dinner (second Tuesday) and future events like movie nights and a mob murder mystery.

Gianni and Jeanie interview Tony Orlando, who recounts knowing Russo since around 1980 and praises Russo’s legendary storytelling and Las Vegas speakeasy era. Russo shares stories from his youth, including selling ballpoint pens after polio and meeting Frank Costello, plus his real-estate connection to O.J. Simpson’s Rockingham house. Orlando and Russo discuss shared connections to John Catsimatidis and the Copacabana, where Orlando says his uncle Carmine Fava was maitre d’ and where Orlando witnessed performers while underage. Orlando tells personal stories involving Crazy Joe Gallo (including being invited to Gallo’s home and seeing a pet lion), his early hit at 16 (“Halfway to Paradise” written by Carole King), and friendships with major entertainers. Orlando describes working at CBS with Clive Davis as a vice president, signing artists like Barry Manilow, and later achieving major success with Tony Orlando and Dawn, including “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” a TV show watched by 36 million weekly, and a Phyllis Diller on-air moment where her wig came off. He shares multiple Frank Sinatra anecdotes, including Sinatra correcting his diction, recording “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” for John Wayne, arranging a star-studded Friars Club event honoring Gene Kelly, and a Caesars Palace night when Sinatra learned his mother’s plane had crashed. Orlando explains he retired from touring concerts due to travel and overhead but is launching a storytelling show and considering a book or audio format; he also notes work for eight presidents and other career highlights. The conversation ends with Russo promoting upcoming New Jersey appearances and book signings, and Orlando describing his WABC radio show and longtime veterans charity work through his Tribute to Valor Foundation, which brings Medal of Honor recipients to schools and has reached about 100,000 students.