Michael Jones is a well-known local singer and now he'll be taking a different kind of stage — on the dance floor, even though he's been blind since birth.
Michael Jones has sung at Carnegie Hall, sung the National Anthem at a Notre Dame basketball game, and sung at hundreds of weddings, funerals, community and special events in Gloucester County and the surrounding areas.
Now Michael has added a surprising new dimension to his vast talent base.
How surprising?
Blind since birth, the Washington Township resident is among the six performers in the 2016 edition of "Dancing With the Gloucester County Stars" scheduled for late summer at Auletto's Caterers.
Singer Michael Jones performs during Washington Township's Independence Day celebration at the Washington Lake Park Amphitheater, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. (Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media) That's right. Michael, who has never seen anyone dance let alone dance himself, will perform all four required dances. His designated charity is "Ballroom Dancing for a Better U," Jean LaPierre's thriving foundation.
"I've never danced," says Michael, "but I've had several lessons already; they're a lot of fun and I love it. The experience should open a lot of doors for me."
"Dancing with the Gloucester County Stars" was launched 11 years ago as the brainchild of Sue Giorgio and has become a mega fundraiser with $1.578 million collected for a variety of charities thus far. The dance committee, headed by Shirley Bierbrunner, selects six new dancers (three men, three women) every year. Matched with six professional instructors, they compete for two major awards: Most money raised and technical merit.
Huge crowds follow their favorite dancers to Auletto's for the televised preliminary rounds and finals. Dinner tickets for the finals are always at a premium.
LaPierre, who owns and operates "LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studio" in Glassboro, has been a driving force with "Dancing" since its inception, supplying the talented instructors and space for lessons. He also avails himself as an instructor and has pinch-hit as a judge.
LaPierre first met MIke Jones six years ago when Mike sang during Bogey's owner Al Bartolomeo's appearance on "Stars."
When they met by chance recently at Shop-Rite, an idea struck LaPierre. Why not ask Mike to be one of the 2016 dancers?
"He's never danced and in fact obviously doesn't know what a dance looks like," says LaPierre. "I asked him if he'd had any lessons and he said he'd like to try.
"He's had three lessons and he's doing really well. Mike is just amazing."
Mike's professional partner is Rowan University student and Egg Harbor resident Krystal Bradley, a semi-regular.
"At Shop-Rite, Jean told me about his foundation and the great work they do for many different causes. I can't stress enough how important work with the disabled is to me.
And so talented Mike, who rejects offers for appearances only when he's otherwise booked, said "yes" to a Gloucester County charity one more time.
"You'd have to say singing at Carnegie Hall with a 73-piece orchestra was my top thrill. That's hard to beat."
Versatile Mike has already sung and danced (a waltz) at one fund-raiser, attended by about 200, Sunday at Auletto's.
He'll be ready. Bet on it.
Mike's already a Gloucester County star.
Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.