The Doo Wop Project: Harmonies That Echo Through Time

If you’re a fan of soul-stirring harmonies and timeless tunes, The Doo Wop Project is a must-see ensemble that’s keeping the spirit of street-corner singing alive and kicking. On November 9, 2025, they brought their infectious energy to the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana—a cozy, state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of about 2,000 seats. Nestled along the banks of Salt Creek near Brown County State Park, this spot has become a go-to for big-name acts since opening in 2019, filling a void left by the area’s lack of large venues for over a decade. It’s earned its claim to fame by hosting sold-out shows and drawing crowds to the charming arts colony of Brown County.

Formed over a decade ago, The Doo Wop Project is a supergroup of Broadway stars inspired by the African American vocal groups of the 1950s, like The Del Vikings, The Marcels, and The Tymes, who harmonized on stoops and subways. These performers, hailing from hit shows like Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, Beautiful, and Hairspray, have turned their passion into a mission: preserving the classic Doo Wop sound while expanding it to include “Doo Wopified” versions of modern hits from artists like Amy Winehouse, Garth Brooks, Daft Punk, and Taylor Swift. With a hit PBS special, five albums, and sold-out tours worldwide, they’re bridging generations and proving that Doo Wop’s heartfelt vibes are as relevant today as ever.

Charl Brown

Charl Brown, a powerhouse vocalist, earned a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Smokey Robinson in Motown: The Musical on Broadway. Born in San Diego, he honed his skills at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, graduating with a BA in 2001. Brown’s career spans Broadway, the West End, and TV, with notable roles showcasing his smooth tenor and dynamic stage presence. His church choir roots add soulful depth to The Doo Wop Project’s harmonies.

Dwayne Cooper

Dwayne Cooper brings the deep bass tones that anchor the group’s sound. From Florence, South Carolina, he started singing in a Christian a cappella group called The Cunningham Singers. His Broadway credits include Hairspray (2009) and Motown: The Musical, where his dancing and vocal prowess shone. Now based in New York City, Cooper’s singer-songwriter background adds a personal touch to their performances.

John Michael Dias

John Michael Dias, a versatile tenor, made waves in Jersey Boys and the national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Hailing from Tiverton, Rhode Island, with Portuguese heritage, he began his stage journey at the Little Theatre of Fall River and graduated from Bishop Connolly High School in 1998. Dias has toured internationally, earning acclaim for his cabaret work and roles that highlight his acting, singing, and dancing talents.

Dominic Nolfi

Dominic Nolfi, another strong tenor, was an original cast member of Jersey Boys, eventually taking on the lead role of Tommy DeVito. Raised in San Francisco, he trained at the American Conservatory Theatre and studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Nolfi’s credits include regional theater and film, like Zombie Prom, and he’s a co-creator of Classic Replay Presents, blending his Broadway vet status with family life as a husband and dad.

Russell Fischer

Russell Fischer, known for his soaring falsetto, debuted on Broadway in Jersey Boys as Joe Pesci on his 22nd birthday. A native of Port Reading, New Jersey, he starred in the second national tour of Big: The Musical. Fischer’s tenor range and energetic style make him a standout, drawing from his professional start right out of college to captivate audiences worldwide.

Sonny Paladino (Musical Director)

Sonny Paladino, the group’s musical director and pianist, is a Broadway heavyweight with credits as music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator for shows like A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical and Getting the Band Back Together. He’s worked on Smokey Joe’s Café revival and associate conducted for The Last Ship by Sting. Paladino’s expertise ensures the ensemble’s tight arrangements and vibrant energy.

As a band, The Doo Wop Project aims to celebrate Doo Wop’s roots while innovating to keep it fresh for new fans. Backed by a smokin’ hot instrumental band (typically including bass, drums, guitar, keys, and horns), the five vocalists create magic through authentic recreations and clever reinterpretations. Their goal? To make sure this genre’s joy and community spirit never fade.

Now, onto the show itself—wow, what a night! Despite some tickets still available (perhaps due to the cloudy weather with flurries and snow showers, highs around 41°F, and winds up to 25 mph), those who braved it were treated to a fabulous performance. The guys played their hearts out, filling the intimate venue with energy that had the crowd clapping, singing along, and on their feet. If you missed it because of the weather or other reasons, you truly missed out on pure musical bliss.

They also spotlighted their brand-new CD, Echoes of the Street, released on October 10, 2025—their fifth full-length album. It pays homage to Doo Wop origins while reimagining modern classics, available now on major platforms.

Band Members and Main Instruments:

• Charl Brown – Vocals
• Dwayne Cooper – (Bass) Vocals
• John Michael Dias – Vocals
• Dominic Nolfi – Vocals
• Russell Fischer – Vocals
• Sonny Paladino – Piano/Keyboards (Musical Director)

Setlist:

• Whispering Bells (The Del-Vikings)
• Morse Code/Little Bitty (Morse Code of Love by The Capris / Little Bitty Pretty One by Bobby Day, popularized by Thurston Harris)
• Intros/ So Much In Love (The Tymes)
• Denise (Randy & the Rainbows)
• The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson)
• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Sincerely (The Moonglows)
• Shake It Off (DooWopified Taylor Swift) (Taylor Swift)
• Come Go With Me (The Del-Vikings)
• My Juanita (The Crests)
• Sherry/ Big Girls Don’t Cry (The Four Seasons)
• Dawn (The Four Seasons)
• Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Neil Sedaka story) (Neil Sedaka)
• Daft Punk’s Get Lucky (Daft Punk)
• Friends in Low Places (Doowopified Garth Brooks) (Garth Brooks)
• Impossible Dream (Richard Kiley, from Man of La Mancha)
• Blue Moon (The Marcels, doo wop version)
• Valerie (The Zutons, popularized by Amy Winehouse)
• Encore
• Looking for an Echo (Kenny Vance)
• Oh What a Night (The Four Seasons)

Check out their official website at https://www.thedoowopproject.com/ for tour dates and merch. Stream their music on Spotify, Apple Music, or iTunes.

For even more photos and a deeper dive, go HERE.

Related Posts

• 

  GOV”T MULE @ BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER
  GOV”T MULE @ BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER
• 

  KILLER QUEEN “A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN”
  KILLER QUEEN “A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN”
• 

  GRAND FUNK RAILROAD ‘STILL SHININ’ ON TOUR
  GRAND FUNK RAILROAD ‘STILL SHININ’ ON TOUR
• 

  A.J. CROCE PRESENTS : CROCE PLAYS CROCE TOUR
  A.J. CROCE PRESENTS : CROCE PLAYS CROCE TOUR