Late summer shows on tap at the Community Concert Hall

Singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega, Nashville band KingBilly and Los Lonely Boys to perform

DURANGO, Colo. – In advance of the regular fall performing arts series, the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College will stage three fun-filled late summer shows: singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega, Saturday, Aug. 22; Nashville band KingBilly, Saturday, Aug. 29; and Los Lonely Boys, Saturday, Sept. 12. Tickets go on sale July 15, 2009.

Suzanne Vega

American singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega is revered as a rare poetic genius and one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation. Her profound insight into the basics of human existence, exemplified in her hits “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner,” has earned her followers of all ages and walks of life.

A “Boston Globe” review notes, “If you haven’t seen her recently, or maybe if your knowledge of her music stalled with ‘Tom’s Diner,’ experiencing Vega live was either a revelation or a reminder of how engrossing she can be.”

Vega grew up in the tough and mixed neighborhoods of New York City, and began writing poetry at age 9 and songs at 14. She studied dance at the High School for the Performing Arts (of movie/television show “Fame” notoriety), but while studying English at Barnard College, Columbia University, she began performing her songs in Greenwich Village venues.

A receptionist by day, but a part of the Greenwich Village Songwriter’s Exchange by night, Vega made the rounds with her demo tape, only to have it rejected by every major record company – including twice by A&M Records, which did eventually sign her. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1985 to low expectations, but 1 million records later, it was evident the world had taken notice.

“Solitude Standing” (including “Tom’s Diner” and “Luka”) was released in 1987 and elevated her to star status. The album hit #2 in the United Kingdom and #11 in the U.S. and was nominated for three Grammys, including Record of the Year.

Vega’s neo-folk style ushered in a new female, acoustic, folk-pop singer-songwriter movement that has included Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin and Indigo Girls. By 1997 she had joined Sarah McLachlan on her Lilith Fair tour, celebrating the female voice in pop and rock.

With her most recent release “Beauty & Crime” (2007), Vega uses her beloved New York City as the backdrop for the collection of 11 new songs. It is a revealing look into her continual evolution as a songwriter and recording artist that juxtaposes acoustic guitar-driven melodies with coolly synthesized beats; intensely personal lyrics with compelling, short story-like narratives; images of today’s scarred cityscape with memories of Vega’s old Upper West Side ‘hood and Lower East Side haunts.

“At her best, Vega can focus the listeners’ attention with a finely wrought lyricism that, she has said, was inspired by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen,” wrote the “Portland Press Herald.”

Visit http://www.myspace.com/suzannevega to view videos and listen to samples of Suzanne Vega’s music.

KingBilly

Music at the Community Concert Hall shifts to Nashville country, rock and bluegrass on August 29 with successful, up-and-coming band KingBilly.

A group of young, talented artists, KingBilly was built on a foundation of friendship and musical innovation. The band members blend high, lonesome bluegrass harmonies, bluesy lap steel and banjo and the country equivalent of AC/DC power riffs.

KingBilly (a name arrived at by combining words that “sounded cool” and represented a mix of classic rock and hillbilly music), features Donny Falgatter (lead vocals), Josh Matheny (dobro, lap steel, vocals), John Osborne (guitar, vocals), Matt Utterback (bass), Kevin Weaver (drums) and Charlie Worsham (banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals).

Together for some four years, KingBilly was formed by record producer Trey Bruce who wanted, instead of a traditional blue grass band, a “contemporary cutting edge” group that had “bluegrass chops.” Now a group of true friends, who actually do live together under one roof, KingBilly recently toured Iraq and Kuwait to entertain the troops before hitting the road on an extended tour schedule that includes Durango.

Tapped early on for success, KingBilly has enjoyed the publishing and production capabilities of Chrysalis Music, marketing/branding/digital expertise of Echo, and the mass-marketing clout of Great American Country (GAC), which continues to provide ongoing national TV exposure. No other country act today has a more complete arsenal of resources. For videos and sample music, visit http://www.myspace.com/kingbillyband.

Los Lonely Boys

Take a dollop of Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pinch of Santana and a helping of Ritchie Valens and that may yield a band that sounds something like Los Lonely Boys. An Austin-based, Grammy Award-winning group of brothers – Henry (guitar), Jojo (bass) and Ringo (drums) Garza – Los Lonely Boys is noted for a unique style of music that combines elements of blues, soul, country and Tejano, which the brothers have dubbed as Texican rock ‘n’ roll.

            Born into a musical family, the Garza brothers first picked up instruments as toddlers. As teenagers they often backed their father, who had originally had a popular conjunto band called the Falcones in the ‘70s and ‘80s with his five brothers and sisters.

            When old enough to venture out on their own, the Garza brothers tried their hand in Nashville, to little fortune. However, Willie Nelson happened to hear the band’s sound and invited Los Lonely Boys to record its first album in his Austin studio. The self-titled debut, which contained the Grammy Award-winning “Heaven,” was released in 2003.

            Recently, in addition to release of “Playlist: The Very Best of Los Lonely Boys,” the band has partnered with Austin-based Community TechKnowledge to present the “Heart and Soul” Grant, a national competition for non-profit organizations. Organizations must submit a 4 to 8 line poem for the opportunity to win $10,000. Los Lonely Boys will also set the winning poem to music. The application is available at: http://www.communitytech.net/ctkfoundation/517/the-ctk-foundation.       Learn more about Los Lonely Boys, view videos and sample music at www.loslonelyboys.com.

 

Tickets for Suzanne Vega ($25-Balcony, $30-Orchestra and $35-Plaza), KingBilly ($12-Balcony, $20-Orchestra and $25-Plaza) and Los Lonely Boys ($35-Balcony, $40-Orchestra and $45-Plaza) are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling 970.247.7657 or 877.282.9992, or at the Ticket Office in Downtown Durango at 7^th and Main Ave. All sales final.

Curtain for all shows is 7:30 p.m., with doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, opening at 6:30 p.m.

The Community Concert Hall is located in the growing arts complex of Fort Lewis College.  It operates through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, as well as the city of Durango, and with financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.

 

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