NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 26, 2011—Award-winning recording artist, musician and songwriter Mike Farris will perform at the tribute concert honoring Aretha Franklin, one of the greatest singers in popular music, during the 16th annual American Music Masters® Lady Soul: The Life and Music of Aretha Franklin. The concert, sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University, is part of an annual series of events that will begin Monday, October 31, 2011, culminating with a conference and the tribute concert on Saturday, November 5, 2011.
“Aretha is arguably the most evocative vocalist of the past 50 years. So I consider it a distinct honor to sing for her,” says Farris, whose critically acclaimed SHOUT! Live won the 2010 Gospel Music Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. “Musically, she resides in a universe all her own. I’m surprised the world doesn’t have a parade for her every day!”
Other tribute concert artists include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Dennis Edwards (of the Temptations), Ronald Isley (of the Isley Brothers) and Spooner Oldham, as well as 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominee Chaka Khan, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Carla Cook, Melinda Doolittle and Cissy Houston. The event will be held at PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.playhousesquare.org.
In addition, Farris’ near effortless roots/gospel/blues fusion is featured on:
Bluegrass Underground, a 12-part TV series that made its debut on PBS in September. The episode, featuring Mike Farris & The McCrary Sisters, with whom he shares the stage regularly, will air at varying times in more than 100 markets, making its Nashville debut on Sunday, October 30th, on WNPT (PBS) at 10:00 p.m. CT, with repeat airings slated throughout the fall. (Check local listings for PBS airings in your area.)
Also recently announced, Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue will ring in the New Year with an exclusive New Year’s event at the historic Franklin Theater in Franklin, Tenn. Tickets, which start at $30, are on sale now at www.franklintheatre.com.
“It’s turning out to be a really phenomenal year,” says Farris, who is currently working on his third solo record, Already Alright, set for release in 2012. “We’re simply thrilled and grateful to be on the road we’re on.”
About Mike Farris
Former lead singer/writer of Nashville’s dynamic Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, Mike Farris’ critically acclaimed 2007 release, Salvation in Lights, introduced an organic fusion of black Gospel, 70s Stax soul and southern blues that took even his biggest fans by surprise. His incomparable vocal performance, seen on stage at Bonnaroo, SxSW, Austin City Limits Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival among others, have been noted by the likes of Peter Frampton, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Jackson Browne and Marty Stuart. In 2008, Farris was named New/Emerging Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Association and in 2010 won the Gospel Music Association’s DOVE Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. For more information on Mike Farris, visit www.mikefarrismusic.net
About the American Music Masters® series
The American Music Masters® series, a co-production of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University, celebrates the lives and careers of artists who changed the shape and sound of American culture. The series began in 1996 when the museum paid tribute to Woody Guthrie with a 10-day celebration of his life and legacy. American Music Masters® series honorees have included: Jimmie Rodgers in 1997, Robert Johnson in 1998, Louis Jordan in 1999, Muddy Waters in 2000, Bessie Smith in 2001, Hank Williams in 2002, Buddy Holly in 2003, Lead Belly in 2004, Sam Cooke in 2005, Roy Orbison in 2006, Jerry Lee Lewis in 2007, Les Paul in 2008, Janis Joplin in 2009 and Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew in 2010. Artists who have performed at American Music Masters® include Solomon Burke, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Chrissie Hynde, Dr. John, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Richie Sambora, Slash, Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams and The Ventures. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.rockhall.com.
About Bluegrass Underground
Bluegrass Underground concerts have aired on country music’s flagship radio station 650 WSM-AM since 2008. Partnerships of Loblolly Ventures, WCTE-DTV (PBS), in Cookeville, TN, and Emmy award-winning producer Todd Jarrell have developed this unique series for distribution on PBS television. Each concert, recorded and filmed in High Definition 5.1 surround sound, took place in front of a live audience at the Volcano Room located 333-feet deep within Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, TN. Discovered in 1810, the 32-miles long U.S. National Natural Landmark attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year. The combination of a studio quality acoustic cavern and top creative talent provides viewers with an incredible presentation of one of the most visually amazing and acoustically true venues.