THE PARTY LINE: The Eagles' bassist Timothy Schmit and drummer Don Henley blended in with the audience at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental's Veranda last week. Eagles trumpet player Bill Armstrong sat in with pianist Betty Loo Taylor, bassist John Kolivas, drummer Adam Baron and singer Sydette Sakauye and "played some great jazz licks," said Kolivas. ...

Singer Connie Kissinger and husband Bruce have been here from New York to renew their wedding vows. They paused at the Halekulani's Lewers Lounge, where Kissinger joined pianist Noly Paa on everything from "Akaka Falls" to "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" to "Unforgettable." "She was so wonderful, I didn't want her to stop," said Paa. ...

Rex Nockengust's "Broadway at the Shanghai Bistro," a Sunday evening special he does with keyboarder Don Conover, has evolved into a popular attraction. After Sunday's finale of "A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors," show producer Burton White (also Hawai'i Theatre manager) took Tom Hansen, the director of the Jim Nabors holiday spectacle, puppeteer Philip Huber, and Judy Murata (Nabors' right-hand gal) to dinner and the show. Sharing a nearby table: Kit Samson, the Ala Moana Hotel pianist, with Alicia Antonio, Bali by the Sea manager and longtime allies from their Kahala Hilton Maile Room days. Conover coaxed Shawna Masuda to sing. Gene Allen, Nockengust's partner; Hawai'i Restaurant Association honcho Gail Ann Chew; and opera singer Gerald Ting also were there. ...

NAMES 'N' PLACES: Comedian Andy Bumatai will host a trial open-mike comedy night at 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at Jazz Minds Art & Cafe, 1661 Kapi'olani Blvd. A $10 cover prevails, except for aspiring comics taking the stage. Sherry Shaoling sings after the laughs subside. ...

Greg Zane guest-directs Diamond Head Theatre's "Drood" musical next year, which allows him to escape the chill and snow of a New York winter in February and March. ...

Restaurateur Tina Wary (Auntie Pasto's, Dixie Grill) and stepdaughter Ellie made their first New York trek last June and returned last month so that Ellie, a high school senior, could scout college campuses. Of course, they took in shows such as "The 28th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (friend Patrick Catullo is one of the producers) and U2 at Madison Square Garden and restaurants like Union Cafe and Tribeca Grill. ...

If you're Broadway-bound: Merwin Foard, who was marvelous as Javert in "Les Miserables" here several years ago, is standby for Michael Cerveris in the title role of the "Sweeney Todd" revival also starring Patti LuPone. ...

Congrats to "'Ohana" road producer Bill Maloney and host Dale Payson for earning a Gold Medallion as Best Automotive TV series in the video-entertainment category in an International Automotive Media Association competition. The show airs at 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 p.m. Sundays on KITV-4. Augie T has been on lately; watch for Gregg Hammer, Sam the Man and Cecilio Rodriguez in future episodes. ...

DATEBOOK: Neil Sedaka, whose hits include "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Laughter in the Rain," will stage two acoustic Christmas concerts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 (second night by popular demand) at the Hawai'i Theatre. He'll do yuletide music, some new tunes and his standards — sounds like a Christmas gift to his fans. Tickets: $25, $37.50 and $45, on sale at the box office. ...

Frank DeLima spends Christmas Eve at the Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom. He's back at Margarita's Saturday. ...

Go Jimmy Go will support The Toasters in the Ska Brawl Tour '06, starting up Jan. 20 in New York and ending Feb. 13 in Florida. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.