It all started on a lark for Billy Farmer, frontman for the Neil Diamond tribute band The Diamond Experience.

“I have an uncanny ability to sound like Neil Diamond,” Farmer said. “I’ve always enjoyed Neil Diamond’s songs. I’ve played them down through the years. Some of my musician friends, who ended up being the other guys in the group, encouraged me to do a tribute act, and we decided to try it.”

The local band booked a couple of tryout gigs at retirement homes in Tacoma, and after receiving rave reviews from the audiences, decided to make a go of it. “It went really well,” Farmer said. “Soon we played Taste of Tacoma, and one thing just led to another.”

Nearly five years later, The Diamond Experience will bring a taste of Neil Diamond Saturday to the Auburn Avenue Theater. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“There is just something special about his music,” Farmer said. “It’s wholesome and honest and the songs are very catchy.”

With a 90-minute set featuring about 20 of Diamond’s hits – ranging from his early work for televi- sion shows, such as The Monkees (“I’m A Believer”) to songs from his movie “The Jazz Singer” – there is something for every Diamond fan, Farmer said.

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The Diamond Experience

• Show: 7:30 p.m., April 28.

• Venue: Auburn Avenue Theater, 10 Auburn Ave.

• Tickets: $17, $15. Call Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation at 253-931-3043, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-noon, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com