Source: Thom Jackson, 785-532-2354, tjackson@k-state.edu
Note to editors: Interview requests for the Solid Blues performers should be made as soon as possible to Alison Ahart, Columbia Artists Management , AWAhart@cami.com. More information on the artists and photo materials are available at: http://www.cami.com/?cat=Jazz+%26+Bluegrass&webid=1854
News release prepared by: Megan Wilson, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
K-STATE'S MCCAIN PERFORMANCE SERIES TO FEATURE A NIGHT OF BLUES
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series will present Solid Blues, a performance by award-winning blues artists, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in McCain Auditorium.
Solid Blues brings together Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, North Mississippi Allstars and Joe Krown in their first-ever tour together. Individual tickets cost $13 to $30. Tickets may be ordered by calling the McCain box office at 785-532-6428 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets also may be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain
* Staples, known for the hits "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" with the gospel group The Staple Singers, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. She received three Grammy nominations in 2004, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, three W. C. Handy Awards in 2005 and the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award in 2006.
* Musselwhite is an eight-time Grammy nominee and 18-time W. C. Handy Award winner. He also has won Lifetime Achievement awards from the Monterey Blues Festival and the San Javier Jazz Festival, as well as the Mississippi Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
* The North Mississippi Allstars were Grammy-nominated in 2001, 2003 and 2005 for best contemporary blues album. The group's 2005 album "Electric Blue Watermelon" reached No. 1 on Billboard's top blues album chart. The group, along with fellow Solid Blues performer Musselwhite, recently recorded the soundtrack for Paramount's "Black Snake Moan."
* Krown, a New Orleans-style piano and Hammond B-3 player, has won numerous awards in New Orleans for his recordings and performances. He has performed and recorded with many other artists including Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and B.B. King.
The Solid Blues performance is presented by Columbia Artists Management. Funding is provided by the K-State fine arts fee and the Friends of McCain.
A "McCain Conversations" session is planned for before the performance. Alfred Cochran, K-State assistant provost and a professor of music, will lead the discussion at 6:30 p.m. in 204 McCain. Sisters of Sound also will be on hand to provide music from the early days of blues to the present. The session is free.