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Singer Paul Simon to slip, slide into Canfield for Ryan benefit

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon performs at Global Citizen Live in Central Park on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in New York. He will perform at a beneift in Canfield later this month...AP

CANFIELD — It won’t be “The Sound of Silence” coming from a Sept. 23 fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s Senate campaign, which will include a performance by legendary musician Paul Simon.

The fundraiser is at the Canfield home of Bruce Zoldan, president and CEO of Phantom Fireworks, a Youngstown-based company.

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Zoldan has hosted numerous fundraisers at the Canfield home over the years for Democrats and Republicans that have featured musicians, actors and athletes.

“A mutual friend contacted me and said Paul Simon is interested in helping Tim out,” Zoldan said.

While Simon, 80, performed at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Zoldan said he was told “Paul Simon isn’t a Democrat or Republican, but he likes what Tim has to say and wants to help him out.”

Zoldan said Simon “has always been an idol of mine. I love his music. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have him perform in a homestyle event. We’ll get to sit around and listen to Paul Simon perform at the Sugarbush (Drive) home in Canfield.”

Other musicians performing at political fundraisers at the Zoldan home have included Mary Wilson and Boyz II Men.

Zoldan said Ryan is “a longtime friend. I was asked if something comes up would I host an event, and I agreed.”

About 50 to 75 tickets will be sold for the fundraiser with commitments already from 50 people, Zoldan said.

“We’ll be out of space shortly,” he said.

Ryan’s campaign said it doesn’t comment on fundraising events, but confirmed the Simon appearance.

Ryan, a 10-term House member from Howland, is the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 8 election against Republican J.D. Vance, a venture capitalist and author of Hillbilly Elegy.

Simon is known for his music with Art Gurfunkel — known as Simon and Garfunkel — and for his solo work.

Among the duo’s most famous songs are “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Some of his bigger solo songs are “Mother and Child Reunion,” “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Kodachrome” and “Loves Me Like a Rock.”

dskolnick@vindy.com

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