For Release June 22, 2004
For Release June 22, 2004
City of Moses Lake Parks & Recreation Dept. P.O. Box 1579 Moses Lake, WA 98837 Phone 509-766-9240 Fax 509-766-9243 news release
Moses Lake Parks & Recreation Department
Releases Details of Annual Concert Series
Moses Lake - Centennial Theatre, located on the lakefront in downtown Moses Lake, will
again be home to the city's FREE Summer Concert Series. The venue has booked another
exceptional season with a variety of talent and genres. This year's line-up is: The
Christopher Moyer Orchestra with guest vocalist Elisha Mitchell (Sunday, July 4th); The
Mills Brothers (Sat., July 17th); The Rangers (Sat., July 24th); and Cornell Gunter's
Coasters (Sat., July 31st); Misty River (Sat., August 7th); Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot
Skillet Lickers (Sat., August 14th); Al Stewart (Sat., August 28th); and BeatleMania Live
(Sat., September 4th).
Christopher Moyer is a dedicated woodwind instrumentalist, vocalist, and arranger.
His orchestra is a collection of the finest musicians in the Inland Northwest.
Christopher and the cats in the band have performed and toured with the greatest legends in
jazz & broadway including: Natalie Cole; Diana Krall; Mel Torme; Joe Williams; Shirley
Jones; Dizzy Gillespie; Hal Linden; Clark Terry; Jack Jones; Stan Kenton; Maynard
Ferguson; Glen Miller's Orchestra; Bob Hope; Maureen McGovern and many others!
Members of the Christopher Moyer Orchestra include: Vocals: Christopher Moyer Saxes:
Christopher Moyer, Richard Hubbard, Pat Shook, Craig Landron, Dan Carlson Trumpets:
Brian Ploeger, Andy Plamondon, Keith Lamotte, Craig Volosing Trombones: Dave Stultz,
Todd Nordling, Bill Foster, Scott Engle Rhythm: Mark Norton, Keyboards; Nick Schauer,
Guitar; Doug Folkins, Bass; Tom Schager, Drums Audio: Jaye Nordling
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Accompanying the orchestra for the Moses Lake show will be gospel recording vocalist
Elisha Mitchell. This Pacific Northwest native has a heavenly voice and a name to match.
Elisha, which in Hebrew means "God of Salvation. No stranger to Moses Lake
Independence Day celebrations, Mitchell has a strong voice and energetic style all her own.
For more than 75 uninterrupted years, the magical appeal of the eloquent music of The
Mills Brothers has attracted adoring audiences worldwide. The magic continues unabated
today under the leadership of John Mills - son, grandson and nephew of the original group's
members - who recreates the inimitable sounds of The Mills Brothers while vocalizing the
multitude of hit songs that made them famous.
THE RANGERS are one the Northwest's most popular country bands. Voted Seattle's best
Country-dance band for 2001. Playing current and classic country you will find THE
RANGERS comfortable with any size venue. Playing to a record breaking 25,000 plus
people at this year's 4th of July celebration in Woodinville, Washington. From fairs to
festivals and dance clubs, a band synonymous with the country scene for over ten years in
the Northwest. Members are former band mates of CMA superstar Vince Gill and country
recording artist David Kersh. All have opened for countless country stars over the years and
continue to write and record music and commercials. THE RANGERS carry a complete
lighting and sound system and are always delighted to entertain at your special occasion.
THE COASTERS are the supreme comedians of rock and roll. What's more, their impact
has deepened with time. Their songs, their parodies and the tunes that became millionselling
records are revived in this new generation of music.
Their first record, "Down In Mexico" was recorded in the spring of 1956, and propelled
THE COASTERS into fame. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame producers (who produced many
of Elvis Presley's biggest hits), Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, under the direction of Lester
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Sill (President of Screen Gems Corporation), moved the group to Atlantic Records and
started a gold record career that lasted over a decade.
THE COASTERS were the first vocal group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame on January 21, 1987. They have appeared in 6 major movies and have amassed over
100 million record sales in their career. And to this date, their act is one of the liveliest and
funniest in show business.
MISTY RIVER, an all female acoustic quartet, calls the Pacific Northwest home. These
talented women masterfully arrange their own material, which includes award-winning
original songs, traditionals and other favorite songs and tunes from many genres. Yet, they
are probably best known for their "stop you in your tracks" vocal harmonies where each
member contributes a different lead vocal timbre that makes the whole "greater than the sum
of its parts". Add some astonishing musicianship and you have … MISTY RIVER!
Lavay Smith, vocalist and bandleader of the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, grew up in Southern
California and the Phillipines. She has become an internationally recognized Diva of Jazz &
Blues, a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page, with a singing style influenced by
Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith, Little Esther Phillips and other legendary
greats.
This sultry chanteuse evokes a sensuous era of Jazz queens and sexy pinups and adds a
modern, feminist twist. No wonder Los Angeles Magazine chose her as one of the sexiest
people around!
Lavay first performed in 1989 and immediately began attracting crowds thanks to her big,
bluesy voice, exciting stage personality, and glamorous approach. According to Fox TV,
the band has become "a San Francisco Landmark", winning numerous awards including a
"Wammie" and a "Bammie". In 1998, the reader's of San Francisco's two major
newspapers, the Chronicle and the Examiner, voted Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet
Lickers the "Best Band" in the annual readers poll.
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Al Stewart was born on September 5, 1945, in Glasgow, Scotland. At an early age he
moved to Bournemouth, a seaside town in the south of England. Whilst growing up in
Bournemouth he bought his first guitar from Andy Summers (The Police) and learned his
first guitar licks from Robert Fripp (King Crimson). Other contemporaries in these early
years were Greg Lake (ELP), Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heap), and the infamous George
"ZOOT" Money.
Escaping the harsh confines of public school at the age of 16, he decided his path was to be
that of a musician. Al started his musical career playing guitar in various bands (one in
particular with disc jockey Tony Blackburn), but after hearing Bob Dylan decided his path
should be that of a lyricist.
In 1965, Al moved to London where he landed the job as the MC at the legendary folk club
"Les Cousines" in Soho. During this time he started writing and performing at the club as
well as introducing the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Bert Jansch, John
Renbourne and Ralph McTell. Surpassing his duties as MC at Les Cousines he started
performing at Bunjies and the Troubadour in London. He then moved on to perform at folk
clubs and colleges throughout England with the likes of The Incredible String Band,
Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Roy Harper.
Al's first album, Bedsitter Images, was released in 1967, followed by Love Chronicles in
1969, Zero She Flies in 1970 and Orange in 1972. Many of these early songs were pages
ripped from a diary of love affairs, Proust-like in detail and startling for their unabashed
exposure of intimacies. If it wasn't the length (19 minutes) of "Love Chronicles" that kept it
from the BBC airwaves, then certainly the explicit lyrics did the trick. Musicians featured on
these albums were Jimmy Page, Rick Wakeman, Richard Thompson, Phil Collins, Queen's
Roger Taylor and Brinsley Schwartz.
Then came a crucial shifting of gears. Al decided to write about any and everything but
himself. He began incorporating historical data, elements of film, literature and current
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affairs into his lyrics. Past, Present and Future, his first USA release, was the first record
Stewart made using this approach. It become a cult album which has now sold close to a
million copies worldwide. His next album, Modern Times, cracked the US top 40 album
chart which led to Al and his band touring the United States.
Year Of The Cat, released in 1976, became Al's first platinum (one million units) album in
the United States. It featured two top 20 singles, "Year Of The Cat" and "On the Border".
Buoyed by this success, he moved to Los Angeles and released Time Passages in 1978
which also sold platinum and featured the singles "Time Passages" and "Song On The
Radio". This period was followed by worldwide tours with his band Shot In The Dark.
Twenty-Four Carrots was released in 1980 yielding the hit single "Midnight Rocks",
followed by Indian Summer Live in 1981 and Russians and Americans in 1984.
1988 saw the release of Last Days Of The Century and a return to the concert stage for a
year of worldwide touring with a new band, which ended in the UK with an appearance at
the Cambridge Folk Festival.
The 90's brought a return to Al's folksier roots with a UK solo tour, (his first in 15 years).
Al enjoyed the freedom of performing the songs acoustically and, on his return to the States,
recruited long time musician and songwriting partner Peter White to perform a series of
shows in both the USA and Japan. It was during these shows that the album Rhymes In
Rooms was recorded. It features some of Al's most well known songs performed in an
intimate live setting.
Al followed up with Famous Last Words in 1993, an album of original songs incorporating
acoustic instrumentation with traditional folk and classical styles. "Charlotte Corday", with
its mandolin and accordion, helps this ghost story take the listener to post Revolutionary
France. "Trains" gives an endearing take on the ongoing romance with the silver rails that
includes accordion and fiddle. Every track is a gem supported by his longtime musical
partner/guitarist Peter White. Other guests include guitarist Ardeshir Farah and violinist
Charlie Bisharat.
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Between The Wars, released in 1995, marks Al's sixteenth album. He teamed with former
Wings guitarist Laurence Juber to create a snapshot collection of songs musically and
lyrically inspired by the turbulent '20s and '30s. With both sharp wit and tender compassion,
Al so brilliantly captures the mood of the period that fans of all ages will no doubt be
inspired to crack a history book or two after just one listen.
BEATLEMANIA LIVE has four complete, authentic costume changes to accompany the
music from every Beatles era: Ed Sullivan, Shea Stadium, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road!
Broadway lights and sound, with Multi-Media production, featuring: Rear-image projection,
strobe lights and clouds of billowing fog to present a dazzling show!!
BEATLEMANIA LIVE performs with full orchestration to capture the original sound of
many of the Beatles greatest hits including: "Yesterday," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band," "Magical Mystery tour," "Penny Lane," "Let It Be" "Something," and many more!!
BEATLEMANIA LIVE uses the original model guitars and drums as used by the Beatles
in combination with theatrical make-up, original costumes, and stage choreography to
authentically recreate the image of a live Beatles concert!!
BEATLEMANIA LIVE performs over 35 Beatles hits during a 2-hour audio and visual
extravaganza!
The City of Moses Lake (Park & Recreation Department) is again producing the"Centennial
Theatre Summer Concert Series" at the amphitheatre in McCosh Park. With over 12 years
of FREE Summer music, this popular performing arts program has become of the longest
running in Eastern Washington and promises to be the "best ever" with eight (8) great
summer concerts. Admission is free to all concerts and features casual grass bowl seating,
at Moses Lake's award winning amphitheater, provided on a "first-come-first-served basis".
Current program sponsors include: Grant County Tourism Commission; Pepsi-Cola of
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Moses Lake; Genie Industries, Inc.; Amerihost Inn & Suites; Moses Lake Lioness Club;
Best Western Hallmark Inn; McDonalds; Law Offices of LeMargie, Kenison,
Wyman & Whitaker; Staples, Moses Lake Clinic; Dano Brothers Law Office; Skaug
Brothers Ace Hardware; Moses Lake Lion's Club; Weyerhaueser Corporation, & Food
Pavilion.
Additional details on all acts available online at: http://mlrec.com/concert.asp
2004 FREE Summer Concerts
? Christopher Moyer Orchestra (Americana/Big Band) - July 4th
? The Mills Brothers (Premiere Vocal Group) - July 17th
? The Rangers (Country Western) - July 24th
? Cornell Gunter's Coasters(Nostalgia) - July 31st
? Misty River (Bluegrass/Americana) - August 7th
? Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (Jazz/Blues) - August 14th
? Al Stewart (70's Folk) - August 28th
? BeatleMania Live! (Beatle's Tribute) - September 4th
For Media Details, Contact:
Spencer Grigg
Moses Lake Parks & Rec.
Phone (509) 766-9240