Out of 1965 Chicago comes Jimmie & the Entertainers. Working the city and surrounding suburbs they played a mix of Rhythm and Blues and Soul. Incorporating sounds of the British Invasion they cut a record called “New Girl”. The Entertainers were then asked to open for the popular New Christy Minstrels (Featuring Kenny Rogers) at the Arena in Carbondale Il.. They then continued touring various venues throughout the region. Some 50 years later, unbeknown to the members, Jim Verdico and keyboardist Jeff Alpert were trying to find each other from across the country. With the help of the internet and local rock historian Joe Pytel, Mutual friend & business agent, Chicago’s legendary Carl “The Screaming Wildman” Bonafede, was able to put the two together and begin the next chapter of the Entertainers’ saga. A few years prior, a British gentleman purchased all of the masters and single copies from the now defunct Toddlin’ Town Records on South Michigan Ave. He then released an album titled Lost in Time… Northern Soul, that includes the Entertainers single “New Girl”, recorded in 1965. “New Girl” became a smash hit in the Northern Soul dance clubs throughout the U.K. and completely sold out. This was the impetus for the reunion of the group. Members set out for Chicago from all over the country. Their meeting at Fort Knox Studio in August 2014 was the first time the group had been together in nearly five decades. BACK TO THE RIVERSIDE is the culmination of the Entertainers' journey.