For more information or any questions, please contact: music@blueridgecommunitytheater.com.
February 24 – Michelle Malone http://michellemalone.com Armed with a bottleneck slide, harmonica, and her signature soul-filled vocals; Michelle Malone will be rocking the theater. Over her 20 year career, Malone has appeared on countless “best of” lists and has been the recipient of such awards as Best Female Vocalist (five times) and Best Acoustic Guitarist (three times) (Creative Loafing), Studio Album of the Year (Atlanta Magazine), and Live Album of the year. Her albums Sugar Foot and Debris, released on SBS Records, were both on the Grammy Award ballot for best Contemporary Blues and Best Americana Albums respectively. Her songs have appeared in the films, Bam Bam and Celeste, All Over Me, Shotgun Jesus and television programs True Blood, Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, Brooklyn South. “raucous and jubilant – somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Shelby Lynne comes Malone alternating between soulful ballads and rowdy, riffy blasters.” (Rolling Stone).
March 31 – Ronny Cox w/Radoslav Lorkovic and Karen Mal http://ronnycox.com A well-known actor and singer/songwriter, Ronny’s career ascended to acclaim with his role in the movie Deliverance. Most will recall his guitar playing in the “Dueling Banjo’s” scene. He has since seen continual career achievements in numerous Movie and TV roles. 2012 will be the 40th year anniversary for the release of Deliverance. As part of this event, Ronny has written a book recounting his experiences in the filming of the movie. Pre-release copies of the book will be available. This will be a very special event for the theater and community!
Earlier in the afternoon the Theater will be hosting an Acting Workshop and forum. Anyone interested in acting or a career in acting will want to be at this event. Ronny will provide information and answer questions in a unique setting. We will be contacting and inviting area schools and other area theater groups to join us. There will be no cost for this workshop. More details to be coming.
May 4 – Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin http://dannyschmidt.com ~ http://carrieelkin.com From Austin, TX, both Danny and Carrie have long and successfully independent music careers. Throughout they have received artist and songwriting awards along with songs reaching #1 on the folk radio chart. Danny has been compared to the likes of Leonard Cohen by the Austin Chronicle “with a poetry that breathes naturally and without pretension, with results that are both attractive and intense." A comment from a local Blue Ridge merchant following a previous concert: “Danny’s songs are that of a wordsmith.”
June 9 – Jonathan Byrd http://jonathanbyrd.com Songs from Jonathans latest and fifth CD released have been described as "dirt road visits with the neighbors outside your car window." Jonathan has been named in list that includes the "50 Most Significant Songwriters of the Past 50 Years" with others such as John Prine, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Everyone should hold on to their hats for this concert!
June 30 – Frank Sinatra via Gabe Russo – Gabe’s concert this past year at the theater was such a great event and success we are thrilled to be bringing him back for a one night performance only. Gabe has a unique way of bringing the songs and stories of “ol Blue Eyes” and the “Chairman of the Board” to the stage. Very special stage seating and dance floor will be provided for this concert adding a special experience and ambiance to the evening.
July 28 – Cowboy Envy http://www.cowboyenvy.com/ Likewise another group having performed for the theater this past year and because of popular demand is being invited back for a second round of foot stomping enjoyment. Western swing will be the flavor of the evening.
August (TBD) – Bobby Don Bloodworth and the Gopher Broke Band No strangers to the area, this group is certain to provide an entertaining evening of music. Bobby Don has been working with students at Fannin County High in a songwriting group with songs written by this group to be included in the night’s playlist. Special indeed!!
September – TBA
October 13 – Doug & Telisha Williams http://dandtw.com Doug and Telisha offer dead right, honest songwriting delivered in a hauntingly beautiful yet gritty, neo-traditional Americana wrapper. Their roots are real, their words are true, and their energy is contagious. Both from Martinsville, VA, Doug & Telisha have recently relocated to Nashville.
November 16 or 17 – (TBD)
December – TBA
