Instrumental’s the Word

You probably have never heard the music of guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine on the radio. MacAlpine and his band, who perform this weekend at Mancini’s in Canoga Park, are busy making an international reputation for themselves, but have not yet cracked American radio playlists.

One reason is that MacAlpine, bassist Ricky Riccardo and drummer Mike Terrana play rock instrumentals. No vocals. Outside of a mere handful of tunes, not many instrumentals are heard on rock radio.

“The powers that be are more interested in ratings and advertising than they are in art,” said Terrana, who doubles as business manager for the band. “We’re interested in making a living, but more about the music.”

Earlier this year, MacAlpine released his ninth CD, “Violent Machine,” his first on Metropolis Records, a company he owns with Terrana. He also has a Web site where surfers can download samples of their music. But this weekend, you can catch him live in Canoga Park.

* Tony MacAlpine plays 10:30 p.m. Sunday at Mancini’s, 20923 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park, (818) 341-8503) $10 cover.

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Work Is Play: Most musicians have regular jobs in order to pay their bills, and the members of the band Splash are no exceptions. But in their case, working in Splash is their regular job.

Bandleader/drummer Norm Roper and the other members of the band are involved in other original music projects trying to catch the attention of the record industry. But it’s the cover band Splash that pays the bills. The 10-piece show band is currently performing four shows nightly on the Universal Studios Tour during the summer.

Splash is not your average garage band with more passion than polish. On the contrary, this act is a finely tuned R&B; dance music machine--with choreography, multiple costume changes, tight musicianship and four lead singers. They perform hits from the 1960s to the ‘90s including tributes to Tina Turner, James Brown and Michael Jackson.

“It’s choreographed and rehearsed, but not to the point that it’s rigid,” Roper said. “We have fun with it, but we always stay authentic to the music.”

Splash has been together about six years. This is their second summer playing at Universal. Also, the band does about 40 to 50 gigs per year on the lucrative corporate party circuit. And they do a number of celebrity parties.

The singers fronting the band are Wes Quave, Joanna Parker, Wendy Smith and Jan Roper, Norm’s wife. The horn and rhythm sections are drawn from L.A.’s deep musical talent pool.

“Actually, it’s a very consistent group,” Roper said. “I was so tired of thrown-together stuff, that’s why I assembled this group. It’s a tight band.”

* Splash plays 6-10 p.m. nightly at Universal Studios Tour, Universal City. Park open daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Adults, $36; children 3-11, $26; those 60 and older, $29; under 3, free. Call (213) 931-8890.

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Sterling Country: Ruben Carranza and Ronald Battaglia, the new owners of Sterling’s Silver Inn in Sunland, are very proud of the pedigree of their place. Since its opening in the 1930s, the restaurant has been frequented by U.S. presidents, Los Angeles mayors and other VIPs. Even the king himself, Elvis Presley, visited there, they’re proud to say.

Battaglia and Carranza want to enhance that pedigree. In an effort to fill a void left by the demise of the Palomino club a few years back, they want to book nationally prominent country acts. Saturday, they started with singer Johnny Lee.

Back in 1980, Ronald Reagan challenged Jimmy Carter for the presidency, the Philadelphia Phillies won their first and only World Series championship, and Johnny Lee was one of the hottest acts on the country music scene.

His recording of “Looking for Love” was featured in the hit movie “Urban Cowboy” that starred John Travolta and Debra Winger. The Urban Cowboy soundtrack sold over 3 million copies and Lee followed up with a string of other hits.

In those days, Lee was a regular performer at Mickey Gilley’s Pasadena, Texas, nightclub. These days, Lee performs regularly in Branson, Mo., and still tours.

Pre-show rumors had singing stars Jerry Lee Lewis and Gilley, both cousins of Lee’s wife, plus Travolta and Winger on the confirmed guest list for Lee’s show in Sunland. But they were nowhere in sight at the dinner show Saturday.

Regardless, Lee turned in a thoroughly entertaining set of music highlighting his hits of the 1980s. His band was top-notch and he was a totally charming and professional entertainer. Local favorites Larry Dean and the Shooters opened the show.

Longtime West Coast country music maven Cliffie Stone brings his show featuring Mollie Bee and the Riders of the Purple Sage to the Sterling on Aug. 9. Other acts being mentioned include Rick Trevino, Freddie Fender, the Confederate Railroad, Leann Womack, Kathy Mattea, Lonestar, the Buffalo Club and Marty Stuart.

Although Saturday’s audience was enthusiastic, the place was not packed for the first show. It remains to be seen whether Carranza and Battaglia can pay the freight for these more famous and expensive acts.

* Cliffie Stone Show at 7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Sterling Silver Inn, 8737 Fenwick St., Sunland. $20. (818) 951-9400.