Marilyn Maye At The Pearson

To Broaden Horizons Through the Arts

PRESS RELEASE

What: Marilyn Maye

When: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 8pm

Where: Pearson Lakes Art Center Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre

Cost: Members $22, Non-members $26, Students $13

Contact: Andrea Tonsfeldt at 712-332-7013 ext 107

Pictures Available Upon Request

Marilyn Maye Returns to the Pearson Lakes Art Center for one night only!

Internationally acclaimed singer, Marilyn Maye to perform another amazing show. Join us at the Pearson Lakes Art Center on Saturday, August 22, 2009 for a style of musical entertainment which emphasizes the intangible communication between the audience and performer. Marilyn has gained recognition as one who frequently utilizes humor with her artistry personality. Her deep respect for excellence, taste and imagination makes her performances an experience to remember. Marilyn has been performing at New York City’s Metropolitan Room recently and Gregg Culling from Talkin’ Broadway calls Marilyn “A force of nature”. Marc Shiaman, composer of the Broadway musical Hairspray said “Pure Talent wrapped up in a style of showbiz that sadly doesn’t really exist anymore. If you wanna see the real thing…go!”

Don’t miss out on “the real thing”, Miss Marilyn Maye at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, Saturday, August 22, 200 9at 8pm!

Sponsored by the Pomerantz Family and supported by Judy Thoreson Family, Rosemarie & Dennis Ward, John & Linda Hopkins, Al & Delores Maser and our Gold Corporate Partners: Bank Midwest; Signe Kim Lauridsen-Jones; Liberty Bank; & Wells Blue Bunny and Silver Corporate Partners: United Community Bank; Spirit Lake Hy-Vee; Midwest Coca-Cola; Northwest Bank; The Inn at Okoboji; the Bud Pearson Fund for Art Education; Tom Fuhrman’s Edward Jones Investments; Kum & Go; Piccadilly Circus Pizza/LandMark Products, Spirit Lake Silver & Gold, Diamond Vogel Paints, & Gene Krueger Construction

Get your tickets soon as this has been a sold out show for many years running. Call the Pearson Lakes Art Center box office- 712-332-7013, go to www.lakesart.org or stop by to get your tickets today!

Straighten Up And Fly Right, At The Iowa Great Lakes

If you love Nat King Cole, then you want to check out this show up in at the Iowa great lakes!!

To Broaden Horizons Through the Arts

PRESS RELEASE- For immediate release- pictures on request

What: Straighten Up and Fly Right: An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole

When: Friday, February 13, 2009 7:30PM

Where: Pearson Lakes Art Center Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre

Cost: Advance: $22.50, At the Door: $24.00

The Pearson Lakes Art Center and Bob Pontius are thrilled to bring to Okoboji an unforgettable tribute to Nat King Cole, “Straighten Up & Fly Right” featuring Minneapolis’ Maurice Jacox on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 7:30PM in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre.

This one-of-a-kind production explores the genius of this unique entertainer and a hit-filled career spanning the decades from 1939 to 1962. This thoroughly researched production and its meticulous arrangements accurately convey the sound and stylings of Nat King Cole, his musicians, and his arrangers. But Straighten up and Fly Right looks at more than music. In song and narration, it captures a tumultuous and transformative period in America and the career of a creative and influential musician who helped shape, and was shaped by, the times.

The show stars award-winning vocalist Maurice Jacox, supported by 5 talented instrumentalists, and a vocal duo, who assist as narrators. The instrumental ensemble –guitar, bass guitar, drums, saxophone and piano/electronic keyboard – recreate the full spectrum of Cole’s group sound, from jazz trio to big band, treating the audience to 19 beloved hits, from Route 66 and Ramblin Rose to Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, and many more.

The production evokes that mood of the time with a vintage 1950's baby grand piano and furniture and costumes of the time, immersing the audience in the images of a distant-yet-warmly-remembered era. For a fast-moving 75 minutes, this lively show entertains, enlightens, and transports the audience to another time.

Maurice Jacox, lead vocal, is the winner of Minnesota Music Academy Jazz Award; Twin City Pages Best Male Vocalist; and the Blues Society Best Blues Artist. He is a former cast member of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, and has acted in productions and played at the Guthrie, Southern and Children's theaters. Original member of Willie and the Bees, the Butane Soul Review and Soul Tight Committee. He has worked with Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John and the Funk Brothers to name just a few.

Don’t miss the remarkable performance of “Straighten Up & Fly Right” that you don’t have to drive hours to see…come to the Pearson Lakes Art Center right next door on Friday, February 13^th at 7:30PM. Go to www.lakesart.org or call 712/332-7029 for tickets.

For questions please call Andrea at 712-332-7013 x 107 or andrea@lakesart.org

Big Gigs In Storm Lake Iowa

Some cool blues shows are coming to Storm Lake the next few weeks. First it is the return of the Blues history concert series. Once again I am teaching Blues history at Buena Vista University, located on the frozen shores of Storm lake! This year we have on January 9th, The Eric Hovey Band, on January 13th Bob Dorr, and Jeff Peterson of the Blue Band, and on January 15th The Tom Gary Blues Band with special guest Ronn Hill. Ronn is suppose to play with us on the 15th, and this will be the first time he has played in over a year! So this should be a great show! Ronn now lives in Chicago, but he has also been blues and soul legend in every town he has lived in. Born in Des Moines, he has also established himself in not only Chicago, but also in Albuquerque New Mexico, and Las Vegas Nevada.

Also a couple more cool shows coming up. On January 9th Eric Hovey is playing at the Lake Ave Lounge. This is a cool retro bar located on Lake Ave in downtown Storm Lake. It is in the old Masons building, and has been refurbished to its classic 1950s look! Eric is performing from 9-1 on Friday January 9th, and on January 10th The Tom Gary Blues Band will have its CD release party from 8-12! These are some great shows so all of my Iowa readers head on down to Storm Lake and see some legends in blues!!!!!!

Star Spangled Spectacular: Storm Lake, Iowa, July 3-4

I am very bad about promoting my own gigs. Part of it, is a superstition. I really hate to make a big deal about a gig, and then get sick and be unable to perform. That has happened a couple of times over the years, and then I feel like a big idiot. However, Thursday and Friday is the biggest day of the year for Storm lake! We double in size from about 10,000 people to over 20,000 people, as visitors from small surrounding towns, and long lost family and friends return to Storm Lake to celebrate the fourth of July.

The fun starts out on the afternoon of July 3rd. Vendors, and artists will set up stands down by the bandshell in Sunset Park. Celebration Iowa will kick things off with their variety song and dance routines, followed by The Tom Gary Blues Band, and The Eric Hovey Band. The next day the fun starts all over again. Vendors and artists will have tents set up from Sunset Park in the west to Chautauqua park in the east. A huge parade starts in the morning and then the vendors and artists stick around till 5pm. More entertainment starts around 7pm as the Tom Gary Blues Band, and the Eric Hovey band play until 10pm when the fireworks take place. You can find us located down by the new lighthouse and playground.

If you would like more information about the biggest party of the year in Storm Lake, check out the Pilot Tribune article about our show HERE.

Stax Museum: Big Show Alert!!!!

Just got this great notice about the Reddings. They are putting on a show in Memphis at the Stax Museum. Here is the press release.

STAX MUSEUM & STAX MUSIC ACADEMY PRESENT:

"A WEEKEND WITH THE REDDINGS!"

On Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2008 the Soulsville Foundation will once again make history when Otis Redding's family will be our special guests and events participants on two very exciting evenings. The family includes Otis Redding's widow, Mrs. Zelma Redding, along with his three children, Otis III and Dexter Redding and Karla Redding-Andrews.

All will be special guests on Saturday, May 17th at the Stax Music Academy SNAP! After School Spring Concert at the University of Memphis' Michael D. Rose Theater. Otis III and Dexter will perform with the students. All ensembles will be featured during the concert - Stax Music Academy Rhythm Section, StreetCorner Harmonies, Premier Percussionists, and the Soulsville Swing Band, as well as The Soulsville Charter School's Soulsville Symphony Orchestra. Also starring as a speical guest is the academy's Artist in Residence, internationally acclaimed saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

The concert is at 7 p.m. and admission is just $5!

On Sunday, May 18th, the entire Redding family will be our guests for our "Conversations With The Reddings" panel discussion/Q&A, along with others who knew Otis Redding well. This event will take place in the Stax Museum's intimate Studio A.

"Conversations With the Reddings" will take place from 5 - 7 p.m. Admission is $10 general admission and free to Stax Museum members.

This will be Zelma Redding's and Karla Redding-Andrews' first visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

THE STAX MUSEUM'S SPECIAL EXHIBIT IN STUDIO A, "OTIS REDDING: FROM MACON TO MEMPHIS - AN EXHIBIT FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF ZELMA REDDING," HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31ST.

Tim Sampson

Director of Communications

Stax Music Academy

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The Soulsville Charter School

926 E. McLemore Avenue

Memphis, TN 38106

901-261-6324

www.staxmuseum.com

www.staxmusicacademy.org

www.thesoulsvillecharterschool.org

www.soulsvillefoundation.org

Please note new email address: tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org

Eric Burdan And War April 21st 2008 ONE NIGHT ONLY

Just received this press release about a big reunion show of Eric Burdon and War. They teamed up briefly in the early 70s. I would debate the idea that Burdon was one of the great blues singers, but certainly he is one of the best of the BRITISH blues singer.

For immediate release (London, England) -

Eric Burdon & WAR will reform for the first time in 37 years to play a concert at the London Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21st April 2008. This is
a one-time only reunion concert, and the first time since they originally disbanded in 1971. Tickets for this prestigious event will go on sale on
14th February at 9am GMT. Ticket Hotline: 0844 576 5483, Book Online: www.livenation.co.uk.

Click here for the official online announcement - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/live_nation/war.htm

Originally the front man of the Animals, Eric Burdon is considered to be one of the greatest blues singers in the world. His contribution to music is
immense. By joining forces with WAR; the most popular funk groups of the 70's, this one-time-only concert is one of the hottest tickets of 2008.

With a distinctive sound that captured the heart and soul of 1970's America, Los Angeles based WAR played the music that made people dance and think.
Their 1970 album 'Eric Burdon Declares WAR' included two No. 1 worldwide hits - 'Spill The Wine' and 'Tobacco Road'. The second album, 'The
Black-Man's Burdon' featured the hits 'They Can't Take Away Our Music' and a cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black'.

The Royal Albert Hall concert coincides with a major reissue campaign that will see Rhino Records release the band's first two 1970 albums - 'Eric
Burdon Declares WAR' and 'The Black-Man's Burdon' on Monday 24th March. The reissue campaign will end on 14th April with the release of 'The Best of
Eric Burdon & WAR' and 'The WAR Anthology'.

Photo Credit for attached photo (c) Tom Hanley / Redferns.com.

UK Press Office / Further Information -

Tracy Gosling and Peter Noble at Peter Noble PR Consultants Ltd: Tel: 0207
272 7772, Email: tracy@noblepr.co.uk, peter@noblepr.co.uk. Noble PR Ltd,
Central Ignition, 1 Mercers Mews, London, England, N219 4PL

Big Show NOV 17th Cherokee Iowa

Another Quick reminder that the Blues Historian is performing Saturday Night in Cherokee Iowa at the Gathering Place. I am performing mostly original material that I have written over the last 20 years. This is going to be a great show so if you are in the area stop on by. The show is going to be recorded, and perhaps if everything works out, and I can get a CD of the show, I will rebroadcast it on the Internet radio station! So for all my fans out there in the World Wide Net, that can't make the show you can listen to it on your COMPUTER!!!:-) Don't you just love modern technology!!!!! I will put more details at the top of the blog tomorrow!