LAMONT CRANSTON BLUES BAND The blues return to the Park Theater! From the clubs, concert halls and festivals to the auditoriums and stadiums, the Cranstons have shared the stage with Muddy Waters, Luther Allison, Albery King, Albert Collins, Jimmy Rogers, Charlie Musselwhite, Delbert McClinton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Otis Rush, Elvin Bishop, Koko Taylor, Jonny Lang, Bonnie Raitt, The Blues Brothers and many many more. One of the biggest thrills was opening for The Rolling Stones on a leg of their North American tour in 1981, winding up on the final show in their hometown of Minneapolis. This legendary band has been at the receiving end of many Minnesota Music Awards for both band and individual achievements.
At the controls, Pat "Lamont" Hayes has led the legendary band since the late 60's through many personnel changes, 13 albums and many show stopping experiences. Besides leading the Cranstons through the years of popularity that they've enjoyed, Hayes also has solo ventures to his credit, touring with Bonnie Raitt as a member of her band on her 1990 "Nick Of Time" tour, blowing harmonica duets with Charlie Musselwhite in Minneapolis and during a 1994 Hollywood trip after receiving a special invitation from Dan Aykroyd to be a special guest performer at a private party pre-grand opening bash at Dan's new 'House Of Blues' nightclub, where he performed with Charlie and his band the first night and with The Blues Brothers band the next night. Pat has been hailed by Bonnie, Dan and many others as being one of the best harmonica players around.
One of the best Blues Bands around makes its Park Theater debut. If you like blues, you'll love the Cranstons!
Michael Gulezian
Michael Gulezian is one of the most highly acclaimed solo acoustic instrumental guitarists of our time. He is a phenomenal technical guitarist with the rare ability to transcend his own virtuosity, creating music that touches and moves people at the deepest level.
Michael began playing acoustic guitar at the age of six. He never took formal lessons, and was never tempted to play electric guitar (although he admires and respects a great many electric guitarists).
Michael is the youngest artist ever to be signed to John Fahey’s legendary Takoma Records, arguably the most influential record label for the genre of solo acoustic instrumental guitar.
McInnis's Kitchen
McInnis' Kitchen features four talented and respected musicians who each draw on their own rich Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Irish, and Scottish heritage to bring a fresh new sound to the traditional music and song they perform.
Their unique music gets inspiration from a mixing of their own individual traditional influences and upbringing. Their music contains all of the emotion of the tradition, rooted in a history of immigration, uprooting and relocation, and a celebration of life and culture in their simplest forms. McInnis’ Kitchen concerts transcend performance and evoke a special world of traditional culture and storytelling, giving their performances a sense of a ‘downhome kitchen party.’
Laura MacKenzie with Gary Rue Bush Music award winner Laura MacKenzie, accompanied by Gary Rue, returns to the Park Theater for a Sunday afternoon matinee performance. With ardent mastery, Laura MacKenzie commands a vast repertoire of wonderful traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, Central France, Galicia and Cape Breton on a dazzling array of wind-powered instruments, including flutes, whistles, concertina, many bagpipes and voice. With astonishing versatility, her performance is supported by the grace, warmth, humor, the craft, knowledge and lore gleaned over a lifetime of music-making. She has been labeled the “High Priestess of Celtic Music” .
With his full throated, melodic guitar style and vocal contributions, Gary Rue perfectly complements MacKenzie’s musical prowess. He brings a rich and bountiful background of artistry and composition ensuring an extraordinary duo performance.
For more information about Gary, please see: www.garyrue.com
Laura MacKenzie with Gary Rue Tickets are $18. and are available in advance at ArtBeat of Hayward, 15845 W. 2nd Street, Hayward or may be ordered ONLINE.
The Park Theater is a part of CHARAC supporting the arts in the North Woods area.
Friday, April 23, 2010 - 7:30 pm
Gandolf Murphy and the Slombovian Circus of Dreams
Gandolf Murphy returns to the Park Theater in another WOJB concert.
Formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York in the late 90's, Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams is one of the best known and loved bands in their home state, singled out as Hudson Valley Magazine's "Band of the Year" for the past 3 years.
On stage they create an enchanting atmosphere, using traditional folk instruments, tasty electric guitar and the distinctive singing and songwriting of Joziah Longo. Citing influences as diverse as Hank Williams, Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band and early Pink Floyd, Longo describes the band's music as "punk-classical-hillbilly-Floyd", a mental rollercoaster of whimsical, thought-provoking songs. The Circus' live shows are where the real magic comes down, earning them critical acclaim as well as a fiercly loyal following.
Monroe Crossing Monroe Crossing, members of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, will present a Sunday afternoon concert.
Monroe Crossing was formed in September of 2000, but their history goes back much further. Monroe Crossing actually grew out of three different bands; The Pretty Good Bluegrass Band, Big Skyota, and the Deadly Nightshade Family Singers. Each of those bands formed between 1995 and 1997 and performed into 2000. Also during 1995, a young banjo phenom named Benji Flaming recorded his first CD.
Between 1996 and the fall of 2000, these five folks had occasion to work together as subs for each other's bands but it was in August of 1999 that they had the good fortune of working together on the same show and found the combination to work well. Monroe Crossing was formed in September of 2000.
Beginning in October 2004, Monroe Crossing has been playing full-time, a feat few musicians in any genre can claim. Monroe Crossing has entertained audiences of all sizes from coast to coast and from Canada to the Caribbean.
Bill Staines
The legendary Bill Staines appeared at the Park Theater last February and is looking forward to seeing Hayward without the snow! Don't miss this show. Bill Staines is truly one of the treasures of American music.
Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group The Virginia-based duo known for their rich harmonies and original songwriting, are joined in concert by Jim Watson, a founding member of the Red Clay Ramblers, on bass and his distinctive harmony vocals. The fourth seat rotates between mandolin, fiddle and dobro and is filled by either Jimmy Gaudreau, Chris Brashear, Kevin Maul, or Tony Williamson.
For more than a quarter of a century they have delighted audiences large and small with a blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country that truly merits the title of “American music.” Just released on Red House Records and produced by Tim O’Brien, Robin and Linda’s new CD, “Buena Vista,” is an exploration of life’s hard times and unexpected joys featuring the duo’s high lonesome harmonies and their fiery guitar and banjo picking. “Radio Songs”, “The First Christmas Gift”, and “Deeper Waters” are additional gems released since 2004. Produced by Garrison Keillor, “Visions of Love,” stayed on the Americana Charts soon after its release January 2002 and was rated in the top five of both the Folk and Bluegrass charts on Roots Music Report.
Robin and Linda Williams have gained recognition from a variety of sources, winning a nomination from their colleagues at the International Bluegrass Music Association for “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” (1995’s Good News). In 1998 they received a Crossroads’ Music “Gold Star” Award for the best Contemporary Folk CD of 1998, and listed in the top 10 “Album Of The Year.” (Devil of a Dream)
They have appeared on The Grand Ole Opry, “Austin City Limits,” American “Mountain Stage,” “Music City Tonight,” and have enjoyed the rejuvenation of The Hopeful Gospel Quartet on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
They have performed in venues ranging from Philadelphia and Kerrville folk Festivals, to bluegrass-oriented festivals such as Winterhawk, Wings & Strings and the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, to arts centers and concert halls in dozens of states and countless clubs and coffeehouses – not only across the US, but in Canada and Europe as well. Join Robin and Linda in concert on Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 pm for an evening of unique Americana music.
