Summertime just got hotter with the Hayes Performing Arts
Center’s Summer Blues Festival, which heats up the stage
July 6 at 7:30 p.m.
The mercury in Blowing Rock just skyrocketed to steamy with the
return of the Hayes Performing Arts Center’s second annual
Summer Blues Festival. A trio of smoking-hot blues artists take
the stage to combat the dog days of summer with their cool, sultry
sounds for one night only, July 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the Hayes
Center, located at 152 Jamie Fort Road (off U.S. 321) in Blowing
Rock.
Big Ron Hunter |
The festival marks the return of the King Bees Duo, the crowd-pleasing
international act that has made the High Country its home for
more than 20 years. From concert and festival settings as varied
as Rome, Manhattan, Paris and Amsterdam, the King Bees, with their
deep musical sensibilities and unquestionable joy in performing,
prove that they can rock the blues in any language.
Joining the King Bees on the festival ticket is Johnny Rawls,
who appeared on the cover of the April 2002 issue of Living Blues
Magazine and has been nominated four times for the W.C. Handy
Award. His most recent major award came from the West Coast
Blues Hall of Fame for R&B Male Vocalist of the Year 2006.
In 2008, Rawls’ most recent album, Red Cadillac, was nominated
for the Blues Music Awards Soul Blues Album of the Year. Blues
Revue praised the recording as “powerful and inspired, replete
with top-notch instrumental and vocal performances and a superb,
soulful batch of songs.”
The single “No Boundaries” earned rave reviews from
all the major blues publications and a rare 4-star rating from
Downbeat. All songs on Red Cadillac were penned by Rawls and/or
Rays bassist Bob Trenchard, and run the gamut from love songs
and lost love songs, to cheating and party-time songs, to social
commentary tracks remarking on the current condition of our country
and our world.
Rounding out the festival is Big Ron Hunter, an emerging acoustic
bluesman who traverses from sweet and melodic to uplifting and
hard-hitting. This versatile Winston-Salem-based musician —
who has opened for such groups as Ralph Stanley & The Clinch
Mountain Boys — performs solo acoustic concerts, electric
guitar shows with his band and even bluegrass.
Tickets for the Summer Blues Festival are $20, $14 students, and
are available now by calling the box office at (828) 295-9627.
You may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can
also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card.
Special group rates are also available. Season and Flex Passes
can be purchased and used throughout the entire ’09 season.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort
Road (off U.S. 321) in Blowing Rock. For more information, call
(828) 295-9627
Upcoming Shows
June 10 - 28
SHEAR MADNESS
The Blowing Rock Stage Company kicks off its 24 season with
this hilarious you-choose-whodunit. In collaboration with the
NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
July 3-12
SUITE SURRENDER
Two divas, two egos and one suite adds up to multiple laughs.
By the Blowing Rock Stage Company.
July 17-Aug. 2
BYE BYE BIRDIE
All-American rock & roll musical about a teen singing sensation
named Conrad Birdie and the publicity stunt he stages before
being inducted into the Army. Produced by the Blowing Rock Stage
Company.
July 20
IT’S ELVIS
Performer Ryan Pelton takes us through the eras of Elvis Presley’s
amazing career — from the raw-edge ’50s to the Las
Vegas ’70s, all on the set of Bye Bye Birdie.
Aug. 7-16
ANGEL STREET
A psychological thriller set in Victorian England that inspired
the 1944 Oscar-winning film Gaslight. Produced by the Blowing
Rock Stage Company.
Aug. 21-Sept. 6
HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY
Musical biography of the country legend. Produced by the Blowing
Rock Stage Company.
Aug. 23
CHICAGO CITY LIMITS
Legendary improv comedy theatre troupe performs smart, topical
humor and is family friendly. “Funniest show in town”
–New York Post
Aug. 30
BLUE RIDGE DESCENDENTS
James Coffee, Bob Harmon and Glenn Bolick celebrate the music
and tradition that makes Appalachian mountain life and the music
it begat so unique.
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