Fayetteville Villages Amphitheater 2005 Summer Concert Series Announced

WHAT: The Villages Summer Concert Series

WHERE: The Villages Amphitheater, Fayetteville

WHEN: May 7 - August 20

HOW MUCH: $120 - $150 for the six concert series

FOR MORE INFO: Visit villagesamphitheater.com or phone 770-461-6029

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Christmas may be just around the corner, but according to Fayetteville’s Main Street Director Nancy Price, we all need to start thinking about summer nights under the stars at the Villages Amphitheater. Main Street staff announced the Bill Heard Chevrolet Summer Concert Series this week.

The summer series kicks off May 7 with Paul Revere and the Raiders. The fun-loving rock group from the sixties and seventies combine their up-tempo hits like “Good Thing,” “Hungry,” “Him or Me,” and “Kicks” with stage antics that make for a entertaining night of musical mayhem. The Raiders racked up 25 consecutive singles during their heyday including 1971’s “Indian Reservation” which sold nearly 4 million copies. They appeared on numerous television programs and co-hosted the ABC series “It’s Happening.”

June 4 sees the Villages welcoming The Lettermen whose soothing vocals are immediately familiar to all their fans. Original member Tony Butala is joined by twenty year veteran Donovan Tea and the latest Letterman, Darren Dowler who has been in the group since 1995. Best known for their romantic singles like “Theme From A Summer Place,” “Goin’ Out of My Head,” and “Hurt So Bad,” the original line-up consisted of Butala, Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. Having toured the world from Japan to China to Germany and France, their world renown spans generations.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers hit the stage June 18. Larry’s two younger brothers, Steve and Rudy followed Larry’s path into the music business in the mid seventies releasing “Broken Lady,” which won them a Grammy. The three of them have been busy ever since, touring and entertaining crowds as well as being involved in stage musicals and benefit functions along the way.

The “Secret Agent Man,” Johnny Rivers steps up to the mike July 23. Born John Henry Ramistella in 1942, Rivers received his new moniker when he performed a few songs for the Legendary Alan Freed in New York. Originally from the big apple, the Ramistella family moved south to Baton Rouge where Johnny absorbed the musical influences of Fats Domino and Jimmy Reed along with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. His eventual success came when he began to release ballads like “Poor Side of Town,” “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’,” and “Summer Rain.”

Reserve August 6 for a household name, Kenny Rogers. The recent release of his “42 Ultimate Hits” CD provides a comprehensive overview of the many classic tunes he performs in his act. His singular vocal style is perfectly suited to love ballads like “She Believes in Me,”and “Lady,” as well as storyteller tunes like “Ruby Don’t take Your Love To Town,” and “The Gambler.” Originally part of The New Christy Minstrels, later forming The First Edition, Rogers found a lasting place in music when he embarked on a solo career in 1974. He has also starred in television films based on “The Gambler,” and “Coward of the County” and the feature film “Six Pack.”

The Platters and and The Coasters share the spotlight August 20, bringing the summer series to a close. Formed in Los Angeles in 1953, The Platters are best remembered for “The Great Pretender,” and “Only You,” both of which they performed in the 1956 film, “Rock Around The Clock.” Although the original members Tony Williams, David Lynch, Alex Hodge, Paul Robi,Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor have passed on, their music continues with the help of such names as Monroe Powell and Sonny Turner.

Also form the Los Angeles area , The Coasters hit it big in 1958 with “Yakey Yak,” followed by “Charlie Brown,” in 1959. Together, these two classic vocal groups cap another great summer season of musical entertainment at The Villages Amphitheatre in Fayetteville.

In addition a free concert by The Swingin’ Medallions has been announced for Saturday, July 9, the annual July Jam concert.

The cost for all six concerts remains at $150 and $120 for lawn seats. Cash, Check or Visa, Mastercard and American Express are all acceptable forms of payment.

Current series ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their seats until January 31 at 5 p.m. Letters are already in the mail to the season subscribers. Any remaining series tickets for the 1,800 seat venue will go on sale to the public on Feb. 5 at Fayetteville City Hall. Individual tickets will be sold beginning in March providing there are still seats left at that time.

The Villages Amphitheater is an 1800 seat entertainment venue owned by the Fayetteville Downtown Development Authority and operated by Main Street Tourism Association. The amphitheater opened in Oct. of 2001 and 2005 will mark the third complete summer concert season since that time.


		Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004

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Fayetteville Villages Amphitheater 2005 Summer Concert Series Announced

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