Tony Orlando and Dawn kicked off the stage by the real Tony Orlando and Dawn. Curiously, Lawrence's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" immediately preceded Dawn's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" at the pole position of the Hot 100 in April 1973. They re-formed in 1988 for a five-week tour that wound up lasting into 1993, with Pamela Vincent finally becoming a visible Dawn member, stepping in whenever Hopkins was fulfilling her acting/television obligations. Orlando is still a popular appearance performer on tour regularly with the Lefty Brothers and Toni Wine. Hopkins made a very successful acting career
Tony Orlando and Dawn singers on the track were Cynthia Weil, Linda November, Jay Siegel, and Toni Wine, who co-wrote the song. Phil Margo played drums on the original session, and the arranger was Norman Bergen. After the single hit No. 3 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 (No.1 on the Cashbox Top 100), Orlando wanted to perform again. The ensemble recorded the 1970 album "Candida", which included the namesake song and the No. 1 hit song "Knock Three Times". Bell Records was desperate to have a real-life act to promote Dawn's records. Orlando asked former Motown/Stax backing vocalists Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson,