Although the world has lost the incredibly talented Frank Sinatra, and Frank Sinatra Jr., Tony Sands and his Big Band Orchestra are keeping them alive by giving us the opportunity to see the next best thing.

The “That’s Life” concert will take place at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe on Friday.

Performing classic hits such as “That’s Life,” “Come Fly With Me,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “My Way,” “New York,” and many more, fans of all ages can come out and enjoy a performance that Atlantic City Reviews praises not only for Sands’ uncanny vocal recreation, but for his mannerisms that help create the illusion that Ol’ Blue Eyes is back.

Sands, who said he gives his 100% whenever he performs, said, “When you sing a song, you got to sing it to the audience and let them feel what you’re feeling when you’re singing it, and that’s what Sinatra did.”

Although he enjoys performing Sinatra’s works in their entirety, his favorite songs to perform are his ballads, such as “Put Your Dreams Away,” and some of his more upbeat songs like “Come Fly with Me” and “Luck Be a Lady.”

Sands began listening to Sinatra at the young age of 11, which was the inspiration for his lifelong dream and love of his music.

“When I was a kid, my parents used to play Sinatra all the time. When he would sing, he’d paint a picture for me,” Sands said. “What you play for your kids, while they’re growing up, is going to give them long lasting memories of that music. His music was always important to me.”

The 62-year-old was born and raised in South Philadelphia but moved to New Jersey when he was 9 years old. He now resides near Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.

Sands said he began his professional singing career in his late 20s, singing at small cabarets and bars, but did not pursue his dream full-time until about 20 years ago.

Before this, Sands was in the antique and estate liquidation business full-time, while singing part-time.

“I always knew it was my calling but never really got involved 100% because the entertainment business is such a tough business to get into … I always had a full-time job and was singing part-time (which was) not enough to get into what I really loved but, I made it a point as I got older to get into it full-time so that’s what I did,” Sands said.

He has performed at the Mauch Chunk Opera House a few times now and always enjoys it.

“It’s a great place and it’s a great old theater, a lot of performers have performed there,” he said. “I’m excited every time I go to Jim Thorpe … when you’re there, you just feel at home.”

A meet-and-greet will take place following the show, which is one of his favorite parts of performing.

“I do it after every show … to see the joy in their faces,” he said. “We have an older crowd and we’re bringing back the memories.”

The concert will start at 8 p.m. but the doors will open at 7.

Tickets for the show can be purchased at the opera house box office the day of the show, by calling 570-325-0249, visiting www.mcohjt.com or visiting Soundcheck Records in Jim Thorpe.