Tony Orlando and Gus

Singer Tony Orlando of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon'' fame is heading to Tampa Bay (sans Dawn) to help state Rep. Gus Bilirakis win a Congressional seat.

The Tarpon Springs Republican met Orlando at a Greek convention in Las Vegas last summer and Bilirakis said the singer, who is half Greek, quickly insisted he wanted help on the campaign. Bilirakis is running to succeed his father, U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, and said Orlando is a fan of Mike Bilirakis' work on veterans issues.

Orlando will headline a holiday party Dec. 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Community Center. It is open to the public. Without his band present, though, Bilirakis said he won't sing.

"He said he would raise money for me, but I chose not to do that. I wanted to share this event with everyone,'' said Bilirakis. ""We're going to do a little salute to the veterans, but I also want to do a little salute to the (campaign) volunteers.''

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, plans to attend a Dec. 1 fundraiser for Phyllis Busansky, a Democrat running for the same seat. No word yet on whether Emmanuel is willing to sing.