| Tickets (Members) | ||
| A-Seats | B-Seats | |
| Adult | $22.50 | $16.25 |
| Senior | $21.75 | $15.75 |
| Tickets (Non-Members) | ||
| A-Seats | B-Seats | |
| Adult | $25.00 | $18.00 |
| Senior | $24.00 | $17.50 |
Blind Boys of Alabama
Saturday, February 16, 2008 @ 7:30PM
Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall
Arts Midwest, MLT Group and KXLT Fox 47 present Gospel/Soul legends the Blind Boys of Alabama on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall.
Formed some six and a half decades ago, The Blind Boys of Alabama are the Iron Men of the music industry. They predate Elvis, Little Richard, and Al Green yet even in their 70s they are still at the top of the gospel charts and have won an impressive four consecutive Grammy Awards over the past four years.
The Blind Boys of Alabama have spread the spirit and energy of pure soul gospel music for over 60 years, ever since the first version of the group formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939. Today, founding members Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter are joined by more recent arrivals Bishop Billy Bowers, Joey Williams, Ricky McKinnie, Bobby Butler, and Tracy Pierce on a mission to expand the audience for traditional soul-gospel singing while incorporating contemporary songs and innovative arrangements into their hallowed style.
In recent years, The Blind Boys have proven themselves masters of bringing out the most spiritual aspects of mainstream music, while at the same time bringing the music of the church straight to the roadhouse. In the past five years, they’ve recorded moving renditions of songs by everyone from Tom Waits to Prince side by side with their traditional material. They have also appeared as guests on record and on stage with an equally diverse array of artists, from Peter Gabriel to Ben Harper. During this amazing run, the cover tunes and collaborations have been consistently tasty and organic, seasoned with a time-tested understanding of the sounds that move Man’s soul.
The Blind Boys' latest CD Down In New Orleans, is accompanied by some of the Crescent City's most distinguished R&B and jazz musicians: Allen Toussaint, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Hot 8 Brass Band, and the tight threesome of pianist David Torkanowsky, bassist Roland Guerin and drummer Shannon Powell. "This particular flavor is new for us," Carter comments. "We've never recorded in New Orleans, never been backed up by any New Orleans bands. We've had it in our minds to work there for awhile, and we decided to do it now to support New Orleans while they rebuild after the hurricane. I can't get up on a ladder and hammer nails, but me and the guys can sing inspirational songs that will help lift people's hearts while they hammer nails.
Single tickets are $25 & $18, with a variety of discounts available, and can be purchased at Riverside Concerts in City Hall, the Mayo Civic Center and all Ticketmaster outlets including Macy's, charge by phone through Riverside Concerts (members only) at (507) 328-2200 or (800) 657-3980, or through Ticketmaster at (507) 252-1010, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Riverside Concerts Box Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm. Tune in to Government Channel 19 for a sneak preview airing daily at 7am, 12 noon, 6pm and 11pm. For more information, call (507) 328-2200 or (800) 657-3980 or visit us online at www.riversideconcerts.com.
This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from General Mills Foundation, Land O’Lakes Foundation and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
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