CUMBERLAND — The Tri-State Concert Association kicks off its 2007 concert season with a bang on Jan. 6, 2007, as the 1960s chart-topping vocal group, The Lettermen bring to Allegany High School their 45 years of memory-making songs.

The Lettermen began their rise to the “Vocal Group Hall of Fame” in the late 1950s following in the footsteps of Danny and the Juniors, The Four Freshman, and the Four Preps by wearing their signature letterman sweaters which appealed to the high school crowd. In the 1960s, they changed their wardrobe but they still appealed to the younger crowd by recording hits such as “When I Fall In Love,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

In the late ’60s, The Letterman crossed over to the movie soundtrack genre and recorded “Theme From A Summer Place” from the movie by Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee. They followed that hit with the first combination song, “Going Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Over the years, The Lettermen have taken their unique harmonies to television and performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Merv Griffin Show” and, of course, “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.”

“Having The Lettermen coming to Cumberland adds to the excitement of the Rock ’n’ Roll 2007 season,” said Denny Knippenberg, spokes-man for Tri-State. “People who grew up in the ’50s or ’60s will always have memories of The Lettermen. It will be a fantastic show.”

Another 1960s icon is also coming to Cumberland in 2007. Bobby Vinton, another chart-topping vocalist will be at Allegany High School Friday, March 16, 2007.

“Vinton has been one of the top requested entertainers for the series. Until this year, his performance schedule and our schedule would not cooperate. This year is our year and we are very fortunate to have him coming to the area,” said Knippenberg. “His stage performance is phenomenal and this show will be the highlight of the season.”

Vinton brings to the area 24 top hits from the 1960s and ’70s. The audience will hear Vinton’s signature songs including “Blue Velvet,” “Sealed With a Kiss,” “Roses Are Red (My Love),” “Please Love Me Forever,” “Mr. Lonely,” “I Love How You Love Me,” “Blue on Blue” and of course, “Melody of Love,” the song that deemed him “the Polish Prince.”

Season tickets are currently on sale. The ticket will include Lettermen, Vinton and five other top entertainers from the classic rock ’n’ roll era, including Bill Haley’s Comets and DelVikings, The Platters and the Elsbeary Hobbs Drifters, the R&B; sounds of the Wallers, and Matt Lewis’ outstanding “Tribute to Elvis.”

Tickets are available by calling the 24-hour call center at (301) 759-0580, by visiting TWR Communications at 549 N. Centre St. during regular business hours, or they can be purchased online at the TSC Web site www.tri-stateconcerts.com.