Marty Conn is Featured Act in 90th Birthday Celebration By June Scharf Marty Conn, a lifelong Beachwood resident, a musical act producer and manager for 40 years and a syndicated radio show host and interviewer, celebrated his 90th birthday with a party thrown by his extended family, including daughters Shari Cohen Konikoff, Sharon Kripke and Ellen Cohen Goodworth. Held at Menorah Park, the event was highlighted by a video montage capturing Marty’s long and illustrious career. The party was punctuated by song and dance with entertainment provided by family and some of his clients, including Frank Sinatra impersonator Bobby Leach, guitarist Johnny Green and singer Eugene Ross. Jim Mehrling served as master of ceremonies. Throughout his time in the entertainment business, Marty worked with many industry icons, including Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Barbra Streisand and Kenny Rogers. With his radio work, Marty had the on-air persona of an old-school, wise-cracking wise guy. He sounded like a New Yorker, minus the accent. He wore his heart and ego on his sleeve, often mentioning compliments paid by celebrities…and he earned all of them. His sister, Marlene Leitson-Walter, owner of Café 56, told a few stories about Marty, one of which concerned the convertible their father bought her for her 16th birthday, so that she could drive the severely visually challenged Marty, when he performed as a drummer at local gigs during his youth. With the top down, the drums could easily fit in the back seat. But having such a nice car stood out at the time. She also recalled the many acts Marty would test out at her restaurant when it was located in the lower level of Building 3 at Commerce Park. The birthday show went on without a hitch, befitting a pro and luminary like Marty. Throughout his time in the entertainment business, Marty worked with many industry icons, including Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Barbra Streisand and Kenny Rogers. Eugene Ross Knows How to Hustle By June Scharf Beachwood resident Eugene Ross is a multi-talented artist who has enjoyed careers in many fields. He started out as a junior high school art instructor, and taught art to gifted and talented inner-city youth for a special program at John Carroll University. Next, he became the first African American advertising sales rep for the Cleveland Press newspaper (which folded in 1982), after which he performed the same duties for the Sun Newspapers and the Akron Beacon Journal. He later reinvented himself as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Bristol Meyers Squibb for 12 ½ years. But Ross always had a side hustle going on – his singing for live audiences, which Marty Conn helped enable by booking his performances. This performing career has spanned 45 years. He has also written several original songs. Eugene Ross & Company is an eight-piece, versatile and multi-talented group of seasoned professionals that have performed at The White House, Martha's Vineyard and The Rock Hall of Fame, just to name a few venues. The band has performed with Liza Minelli, The Jersey Boys, and at the wedding reception of Danny Ferry, former general manager of The Cleveland Cavaliers. But Ross always had a side hustle going on – his singing for live audiences, which Marty Conn helped enable by booking his performances. Ross has fed his creative side by completing several commissioned works of art, including two wood carvings for NBA player J.J. Hickson, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently with the Denver Nuggets. He also created a custom wood carving for Pastor James Quincy III, titled “The Family That Prays.” Ross still enjoys performing with his band and also does a one-man show. He also accepts commissioned wood-carving opportunities. For more information, call 216.464.3205. Pictured: Eugene Ross, pictured with his late wife, Maxine, and and Rev. James Quincy III, pastor of Lee Road Baptist Church. 50 Beachwood Buzz n August 2015