Fayetteville amphitheater announces summer lineup

Although the new year has barely begun, Fayetteville Main Street Tourism Association has been thinking about and planning for 2008 for some time now. Organizers have been busy making plans for their 2008 concert series in an effort to bring entertainment to the community during those balmy summer evenings.

This year’s lineup has just been announced, and season ticket holders from pervious years will be able to renew their seats through the end of this month.

This year’s series will kick off the first weekend in May with the rocking sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited was formed in 1995 by former Creedence Clearwater Revival bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford. Cook has stated that the band was originally formed with no intention of playing for the public. The band has toured North America, South America, New Zealand, Europe and Asia. They have also released the album, “Recollection.” CCR will perform in Fayetteville on May 3.

Next up will be Little Anthony & The Imperials on June 14. Little Anthony & The Imperials is a rhythm and blues, soul, doo-wop vocal group from New York. The group, which was first active in the 1950s, originally went by the name The Chesters. Lead singer Jerome Anthony "Little Anthony" Gourdine was noted for his high-pitched falsetto voice influenced by Jimmy Scott. Their songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Sergio Mendez, Frank Sinatra, Reba McEntire, and The Lettermen.

Hailing from Doraville, Ga., Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, will perform on July 12. This American southern rock band unofficially formed in 1970 as former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville.

By the time he was 12, Frankie Avalon began making appearances on U.S. television for his trumpet prowess, and, as a teenager, played with Bobby Rydell in a band known as Rocco and the Saints. In 1959 his songs "Venus" and "Why" both went to number one on Billboard magazine's Hot 100. Indeed, "Why" was the last number one hit of the 1950s. Avalon had 31 charted Billboard U.S. singles during his career from 1958 to late 1962, with most of the hits written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. In 1964, he was one of the artists to help open the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, Calif. Avalon will take stage in Fayetteville on July 26.

On August 16, Ricky Lee Skaggs will come to town to perform. Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer and composer. He plays fiddle, guitar, banjo and, primarily, mandolin. Skaggs started playing music after he was given a mandolin by his father. At age 5, he played mandolin on stage with Bill Monroe, and at age 7, he appeared on television's Martha White country music variety show, playing with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. He also wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry at that time, but was told he was too young. During his career Skaggs has released over 30 albums.

Grammy Award winning singer Rita Coolidge, a native of Tennessee, will close out the series on September 13. Coolidge began her early career as a backing vocalist for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton and Leon Russell, and her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson who she married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for “From the Bottle to the Bottom,” and in 1976 for “Lover Please.” She has released 23 albums since the start of her career.

“The series reflects input from thousands of 2007 concert patrons who were surveyed,” said Nancy Price, director of Main Street. “We are excited about our lineup this year and feel we have offered a great diversity of acts from Southern Rock to Country to Doo-Wop!”

The cost for all six concerts remains at $150 for reserved seating and $120 for lawn seats. Cash, check or credit card, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express, are all acceptable forms of payment. Tickets may be purchased by calling 770-719-4173 or visiting the Train Depot in Fayetteville.

Past series ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their seats until Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. Letters have gone out 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 Monday, February 11. Tickets to individual concerts will go on sale February 25, providing there are still seats left at that time.

The Villages Amphitheater is an entertainment venue owned by the Fayetteville Downtown Development Authority and operated by Main Street Tourism Association. The amphitheater opened in October 2001.

The Villages Amphitheater Summer Concert Series has both silver and gold sponsorship opportunities available. Gold sponsorships include a table for eight as part of their sponsorship package. For further information, call Main Street at 770-719-4173.

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