Before ex-Gear Daddies frontman Martin Zellar presents his tribute to Neil Diamond tonight, Cedar Falls native Paul Wright will tribute one of his favorite musicians — Zellar.

Wright will combine with The Nadas singer Mike Butterworth and bassist Brett Nelson and ex-Champaign For Breakfast drummer Craig just to form the one-time Zellar tribute band Zamboni (named after the popular Gear Daddies song).

“When we started this thing we had about 30 songs we wanted to do,” Wright explained. “What we realized is that Martin Zellar’s songs still sound fresh, even after you’ve heard them 100 times.”

Wright said he looks up to Zellar’s songwriting abilities.

“He’s written all of the little things I wish I could have said with his own little breath of fresh air on them,” Wright explained.

Zamboni is the brainchild of People’s Bar and Grill owner Tom Zmolek and Zellar himself.

Zellar told his manager he was interested in having “that guy from Iowa” do a Gear Daddies tribute before his Neil! show, Wright said.

Wright has opened for Zellar at People’s two times before.

“It’s kind of for fun and games,” Wright said. “The scary part is Martin will be in the crowd. I’ll probably mess up the lyrics, which I wouldn’t normally do unless the songwriter is in the crowd.”

Wright said it will be an honor to play Gear Daddies’ songs, especially in the Midwest, where the band has been such an influence.

“[Zellar] is kind of an unsung hero here,” he said.

Neil!, Zellar’s tribute band to Diamond formed over four years ago, features members of the Hardways, the Peter Himmelman Group and The Billys.

Until recently, Neil! has only performed two or three times a year. This summer, however, the band accepted an offer to be the house band at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis, Minn.

Neil! and Zamboni will perform at People’s tonight at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door.