MOUNTAIN STAGE           

Sunday February 8, 2009

Cultural Center Theater, Charleston

Doors 6:30pm  Show 7:00pm 

Advance Tickets $12.50  At The Door $18.00

800 594 TIXX  www.mountainstage.org or Taylor Books/downtown Charleston

Buckwheat Zydeco - Celebrating three decades of spreading Zydeco the world over, Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr. (a.k.a. Buckwheat Zydeco) began his career as a journeyman who cut his teeth as a guitarist with Clifton Chenier - and became his natural successor. Since then, Buck has put his Louisiana spin on everything from original bayou and funk tunes to Rolling Stones covers. Buckwheat Zydeco became the first Zydeco act signed to a major label when it inked a deal with Island Records in 1986. The band's stock went up when it appeared in the hit movie "The Big Easy" in 1987. To date, Buckwheat Zydeco has had four Grammy nominations and has released the three top-selling Zydeco LPs ever. Recently, Buck appeared on PBS's tribute to Paul Simon performing with Lyle Lovett.

Duncan Sheik - This versatile singer/songwriter nimbly moves between melodic rock, organic ambience and British-influenced moody pop. While attending Brown University, Sheik played with Lisa Loeb and later appeared with His Boy Elroy before signing a solo deal with Atlantic. On 2001's "Phantom Moon," Sheik pared down both his songs and the production, offering something of a tribute to late British songwriter Nick Drake. In 2006, "Spring Awakening," a Broadway musical about adolescent sexuality based on the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, won eight Tony awards, including best musical and best score by Sheik and co-writer Steven Sater. In 2008, Sheik and Sater won a Grammy for the "Best Musical Show Album" for the original cast recording of the play. Sheik was one of a dozen artists to contribute to the "Songs For Tibet - The Art of Peace" CD which voiced support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama and recently scored the 2008 animated special, "Little Spirit: Christmas in New York." 

JD Souther - While veteran country-rock singer/songwriter J.D. Souther had his biggest success as a songwriter and session player, he also released critically acclaimed records under his own name and with the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. Born in Detroit, Souther and raised in Amarillo, TX, He moved to Los Angeles and worked as a session player where he met and recorded with future Eagle Glenn Frey. Years later, he co-wrote some of the Eagles' biggest hits including "Best of My Love," "Heartache Tonight," and "New Kid in Town." He also worked extensively with Linda Ronstadt,. At the suggestion of none other than David Geffen, he formed the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman and Ritchie Furay. After a string of solo LPs, in the late-'80s, he began acting in film and television. In 2008, he issued the CD "If the World Was You." 

The Guggenheim Grotto - This Irish-based trio utilizes an array of instruments to craft songs that weave a mix of pop, folk and soaring melodies around ever-present vocal harmonies. Formed as a duo in 2003, Mick Lynch and Kevin May worked the same Dublin songwriter circuit that spawned Damien Rice. Musician/studio engineer Shane Power signed on in 2004 after helping mix what would become the group's debut EP. The full length debut "...Waltzing Alone" followed and charted at No. 12 on the Irish National Airplay Chart. GG songs have appeared in the TV shows "One Tree Hill" and "Brothers and Sisters." "Happy the Man" was released in January, 2009. 

Amy LaVere - Born to musician parents in a small town near the Texas and Louisiana border, Amy LaVere's family moved 13 times before she finished high school. While in Detroit, she joined the punk group Last Minute and eventually made her way to Nashville where she joined forces with the Legendary Shack Shakers' Gabe Kudela. Moving to Memphis in 1999, she started performing solo and released "This World Is Not My Home" in 2006. In 2008, she released "Anchors & Anvils" which was produced by legendary Memphis musician Jim Dickinson. LaVere also played pioneering rockabilly femme Wanda Jackson in "Walk the Line" and appeared in Craig Brewer's film "Black Snake Moan."

Beth Nielsen Chapman- This acclaimed singer-songwriter has had songs recorded by dozens of well-known artists, including the monstrous hit for Faith Hill “This Kiss.” But her prolific nature and creative talent have never ceased and she shares her gifts in songwriting and performing workshops all around the world. More than ten  years in the making, her latest release “Prism” is perhaps her most advantageous subject matter to date. A double-album that spans nine languages over its two discs, “Prism” was largely inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu idea’s on common humanity and was recorded around the world, including in South Africa, Wales,  and her home in Nashville. 

This show is scheduled for national release in April.                        
For more info: Adam Harris 304 556 4900