AMOA-New York Honors Tony Orlando As Jukebox Artist Of The Year And TouchTunes Phil Cohn As Man Of The Year

NEW YORK CITY -- Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis, better known as Tony Orlando, is New York's 2016 Jukebox Artist of the Year. The Amusement and Music Owners Association of New York honored the 1970s' pop sensation, who is a New York native, along with TouchTunes' Phil Cohn, a rising star in the jukebox industry, at a festive awards dinner on May 10 here.

"It would literally take me hours to review all of Tony Orlando's contributions to the music industry," said AMOA-NY president Ken Goldberg, who bestowed the honor on the entertainer before a packed crowd at Ben and Jack's Steakhouse on Fifth Ave. "We all remember 'Halfway To Paradise' (1961), 'Bless You' (1961), 'Candida' (1970), 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon' (1973), 'Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose' (1973) ... and the list goes on."

When presenting the award, Goldberg mentioned two esoteric highlights in the artist's career. "For a period of time, Tony was a record label management executive at both Columbia and CBS Records," he noted. "He is also a longtime supporter of jukebox operators and AMOA-New York." (AMOA-NY executive director Danny Frank then held up a copy of the association's 1979 souvenir journal that included a full-page ad purchased by Orlando.)

"This is a performer who has always been a class act, and always willing to step up for [the jukebox industry]" Goldberg continued. "And by accepting AMOA-NY's 2016 honor 40 years later, he has demonstrated his loyalty to the industry."

Previous award winners were the The Stylistics (2015), Judy Collins (2014), Dionne Warwick (2013) and folk legend Peter Yarrow (2012) of Peter, Paul and Mary fame.

Like the award winners before him, the jukebox has played a central role in Orlando's music career. He recalled, as a boy, reading the title strips on a jukebox in the Four Star Diner in Union City, NJ. "I told my mom that my name would someday be in this jukebox," he said during his AMOA-NY award acceptance speech. Sure enough, Orlando's first song, "Halfway to Paradise," was added to the diner's jukebox the year of its release, as well as on thousands of jukeboxes across the country.

"I don't take this honor lightly," Orlando said. "You will never give this award to an artist who will appreciate it more than I. The jukebox means so much to me."

Separately, TouchTunes president and chief executive Charles Goldstuck took over the podium to present AMOA-NY's Man of the Year Award to his colleague and protégé Phil Cohn.

Cohn joined TouchTunes in September 2011 as senior vice-president of sales. After spending four years building sales and partnerships with operators and distributors, he was promoted to executive vice-president of sales and corporate marketing in October 2015.

"Phil and I both came to this multigenerational industry as neophytes, but we both fell in love with it," Goldstuck said. "When I hired Phil five years ago, I knew he was the guy who would help me make TouchTunes succeed. Phil has made great contributions to both TouchTunes and the jukebox industry."

"American Idol" alum Haley Reinhart brought the AMOA-NY gala to a rousing conclusion. The L.A.-based singer-songwriter performed a half dozen songs for AMOA-NY's guests during her surprise visit, courtesy of TouchTunes.

PHOTO:AMOA-New York president Ken Goldberg (l.) of Emerson Amusement Co. (Woodside, NY) presents the 2016 Jukebox Artists of the Year plaque to Tony Orlando.

PHOTO:Jubilant Tony Orlando is overjoyed by AMOA-New York's recognition of his music and career.

PHOTO:Phil Cohn accepts award as AMOA-NY's Man of the Year. Pictured here, from left, are AMOA-NY's Joe Bossolina, the honoree, TouchTunes chief Charles Goldstuck and AMOA-NY president Ken Goldberg.

PHOTO:Singer Haley Reinhart is flanked by TouchTunes' Phil Cohn (l.) and Charles Goldstuck. Reinhart performed during AMOA-New York's awards dinner.

PHOTO:Phil Cohn, AMOA-New York's Man of the Year, was not only saluted by the jukebox industry, but also had the praise of his family. Pictured here with the award winner are his wife, Jill, and two children, Samantha, 15, and Joshua, 18.