Tom Dooley News

 Last evening, the Apollo Theater celebrated its 11th Annual Spring Gala raising $1.7M for its year-round artistic and community programming initiatives.  The concert portion of the evening was hosted by LL COOL J, and opened with the dynamic dancing duo Laurent & Larry Bourgeois of Les Twins.  The concert also featured performances by legendary R&B group, The O'Jays including rousing version of Love Train, The Backstabbers, For the Love of Money and more.  Rising star vocalist, Leon Bridges brought the crowd to its feet with a performance of Mustang Sally and vocalist Andra Day performed her hit song City Burns,followed by a touching performance of Unforgettable in tribute to legendary songstress Natalie Cole. Host LL COOL J also joined DJ D-Nice for a tribute to Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest - one of several iconic artists lost in 2016. 

The City of Rancho Mirage and the McCallum Theatre present The Kingston Trio on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00pm. In 1957, America was ready for a new style of music. Just out of college, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and Dave Guard took folk music and gave it an irresistible comic twist. The music was rooted in American popular culture, but performed with a style that now seems timeless. When "Tom Dooley" went Gold in 1958, the folk revival was born, setting the stage for Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary, The Byrds and the protest movement of the 60s.

MURDER BALLAD MURDER MYSTERY was originally produced as a full-length, site-specific show at the VORTEX Theatre in 2009; and since then, paper chairs has been condensing the piece into the current gem now on display for three nights only in East Austin.

Berkshire Theatre Group welcomes folk icons The Kingston Trio at The Colonial Theatre on Friday, May 15 at 7pm.

See 'Lonesome Traveler' now at 59E59 through April 19th. It is a completely entertaining and inspiring show.

Passion and intensity flow from historian, folklorist and musician Stephen Wade when he arrives at Milwaukee Rep's Stackner Cabaret this winter. On Sunday's opening night, Wade, as writer and performer, carries his work accomplished from more than two decades into this unique performance The Beautiful Music All Around Us. The stage production creates a collage of foot tapping banjo or guitar music, photographs and storytelling into one vibrant evening of 'Street Joy.'

The Kingston Trio will be coming to Morrison Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 7:30 PM. Tickets: $19.50, $29.50, & $39.50 (Gold Circle) Price does not include applicable fees. Tickets on sale: Friday, November 21 at 10:00 AM.

The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

CMT continues to broaden its appeal with the addition of four new series, four returning series, a variety of projects in development and a newly-created News & Docs division, it was announced today by Jayson Dinsmore, EVP, Programming and Development, during the network's annual upfront presentation.

The 60's Folk Reunion Festival, featuring The Kingston Trio and with The Lovin' Spoonful and MELANIE, comes to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center's Moran Theater for one performance only tonight, February 22nd at 8PM. The Kingston Trio headlines this show, and The Lovin' Spoonful and MELANIE also perform.

The 60's Folk Reunion Festival, featuring The Kingston Trio and with The Lovin' Spoonful and MELANIE, comes to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center's Moran Theater for one performance only on Friday, February 22nd at 8PM. The Kingston Trio headlines this show, and The Lovin' Spoonful and MELANIE also perform.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation presents THE KINGSTON TRIO in the Fred Kavli Theatre at 8:00 pm tonight, October 6, 2012.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation presents THE KINGSTON TRIO in the Fred Kavli Theatre at 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012.

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE release a special album titled AMERICANA today, June 5, 2012. AMERICANA is the first album from Neil Young & Crazy Horse in nearly nine years. Crazy Horse is: Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, Poncho Sampedro, and Neil Young.

CMT has picked up two new series, including the network's first-ever animated project, it was announced today by Jayson Dinsmore, EVP, Programming and Development, during the network's annual upfront presentation. Executive producers Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy will voice characters on the animated series BOUNTY HUNTERS, scheduled to debut on CMT in 2013.

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE will release a very special album titled AMERICANA on June 5, 2012. AMERICANA is the first album from Neil Young & Crazy Horse in nearly nine years. Crazy Horse is: Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, Poncho Sampedro, and Neil Young.

The Laguna Playhouse is pleased to announce its 2011-2012 season-a season filled with World Premieres, OC Premieres, a Hit Musical, a special Holiday Treat, and more.

As part of their 25th Anniversary Year, Diversionary Theatre will stage the World Premiere historic drama Dooley as the last show of its 2010-2011 season.