Faithful listeners to Domestic Church Media are used to hearing Jim Manfredonia’s melodious speaking voice daily on “Come to Me” and “Friday LIVE,” which he broadcasts with his wife, Cheryl.
On Sept. 24 they’ll have the opportunity to hear the Catholic radio broadcaster swing into a whole different vocal dimension when Manfredonia and his daughter, Angela, take center stage to perform classics by Frank Sinatra. In addition, Angela will offer selections from the songbooks of Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Barbara Streisand and others in that style. They will be supported by the 19-piece Summer Swing Orchestra, with a special guest performance by Cheryl.
Proceeds from the concert will go to support Domestic Church Media, the Ewing-based, nonprofit Catholic Lay Apostolate. Among the numerous national and programming that airs on DCM radio and its numerous platforms: Daily Mass and faith-based news from EWTN; reflections from religious and clergy such as Mother Angelica and Father Benedict Joseph Groeschel, CFR, and the Diocese of Camden’s own award-winning podcast, “Talking Catholic.”
“I’m so excited to get back on stage. There is just nothing like it,” said Angela, explaining that making music together is a long family tradition. She grew up singing with her brothers at Mass every Sunday in Queen of the Universe Parish, Levittown, Pa., alongside her parents – who were in charge of the music ministry. She also has fond memories of performing duets with her father during her high school and college years, including an appearance with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra.
In a way, the benefit concert will mark a musical milestone for Jim Manfredonia, who said it’s been 50 years since he first sang in public as a junior in high school, raising his voice with a schoolmate at a PTA card party for Saint Mary’s in South River.
Manfredonia, who continued to perform professionally at many venues throughout the years, shared that Sinatra is a longtime family favorite. His own father hailed from Hoboken, Sinatra’s hometown, and shared recollections about Old Blue Eyes over the years. His mother went to see the crooner when he appeared at the Paramount Theater in Newark. Over his own lifetime, Manfredonia saw Sinatra perform whenever possible and enjoys singing from his songbook.
So, when DCM supporters urged him to put on a musical benefit for the station, Manfredonia decided to combine his musical talents with his call to evangelization. The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held in the Notre Dame High School Theater, Lawrenceville. Tickets range from $45 to $25, with all proceeds going to support DCM. Seating is reserved.
“The concert can be a big boost for us, as the theater seats over 1,000 people,” he said.
Such a boost is needed, with monthly operating costs around $25,000 for the totally listener-supported Catholic media outlet. Actively involved in Catholic radio since 1996, Jim and Cheryl Manfredonia founded Domestic Church Media in 2003 and launched WFJS 1260 AM in Trenton in 2008. It is also available on WFJS 89.3 FM in Freehold, WGYM 1580 AM in Hammonton and WSMJ 91.9 FM in Cape May – as well as online, via app, social media and its own TV channel.
“It’s important for people to have a source of reliable information in light of the world situation,” Jim Manfredonia said. “There is so much contradiction going on. … We want to make sure Catholic media is available for people for years to come.”
For more information, go to domesticchurchmedia.org/2022-benefit-concert.
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