Park City Institute Closes Summer Concert Series With NASHVILLE CAFE

Park City Institute will close out the 2018 St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights Concert Series, Sunday September 2, with Nashville Café, an evening of country music, completing the concert series' season at City Park. The show will feature music performed by three stars of CMT's hit musical drama series Nashville, Chris Carmack, Chip Esten and Sam Palladio. The show begins at 6:00 P.M., and gates open at 4:30 P.M.

"What better way to kick off the Labor Day holiday with three multitalented, all-American artists," said PCI Executive Director Teri Orr. "The music on Nashville is more than a soundtrack, it's a supporting character in the show, so we know these artists' musical storytelling skills are strong. We're excited to have them showcase music they've played on TV and all over the world, on our stage. They'll play a mix of solo and collaborative sets."

Esten's work on Nashville as Deacon Claybourne, is one piece of his multi-faceted career. An accomplished actor and comedian, he was a series regular on Who's Line is it, Anyway? As a singer, he has has performed at the Grand Old Opry and the historic Ryman auditorium. Esten released four country-charting singles with his Nashville co-stars, including Connie Britton, Claire Bowen, and Hayden Panettiere. He is a prolific songwriter, who last month set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive weeks to release an original digital single by a music act. Esten launched his #EverySingleFriday campaign July 16, 2016, and released a new song that he wrote or co-wrote, recorded and released every Friday until the campaign ended on July 21, 2017-54 original songs, total.

Esten, whose character struggled with alcoholism, and faced the death of his on-again, off-again love (Britton's "Rayna,") said the show's musical focus enhanced the stories. "We're very, very fortunate," he said. "A lot of great shows that can take a scene as far as it goes, but there's something about music that can just take it to another level, and we're lucky to get to do that."

Carmack is best known for his acting roles in The O.C. (Luke Ward) and on Nashville (Will Lexington). As Will Lexington, Carmack played a country singer and guitar player who struggled with his identity as a gay man. "I've had people come up to me in a bar in Nashville and say, 'So, what's that like man, having to play the gay guy?' Then I talk to them a little bit about the character and what he's going through. And I've gotten some real flabbergasted responses of people going, 'Wow. I never thought about it that way.' It's humbling to play a role and realize maybe that person came away thinking about things a little different."

As a singer and musician, Carmack contributed numerous tracks to the series soundtrack, and released a solo EP, "Pieces of You." Rolling Stone praised his "greasy guitar licks, and soulful yearning voice."

Palladio, who didn't consider himself a singer before Nashville, said he found the music the most rewarding part of his work on the show. "The musical challenge is always the most exciting and the most fun," he said. "To be given new music and find the best way to sing-it's a challenge!" In addition to his work on Nashville (as Gunnar Scott), Palladio had a recurring role on the Showtime series Episodes. He has recorded eleven singles, including "If I Didn't Know Better," with Claire Bowen, and "It Ain't Yours to Throw Away," both of which charted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

Prices for Nashville Café, and all 2018 St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights Summer Concert Series, are as follows: Lawn tickets $49, reserved seats $89. Buy online at parkcityinstitute.org, by phone 435-655-3114, or in person at the Box Office, inside The Mega-Genius Supply Store, 435 Swede Alley.

THERE IS NO PARKING AT CITY PARK. Free parking is available at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, 1750 Kearns Boulevard, with complimentary shuttles to the venue. A bicycle valet will also be available at the venue.

Park City Institute is a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and new ideas to the community. Since 1998, PCI has presented internationally renowned and cutting edge musicians, actors, authors, comedians, dancers, speakers and film at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (a joint-use facility with the Park City School District). The organization in in its 15th season of presenting headliner concerts. PCI is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through free student outreach workshops, shows and demonstrations. Since 2010, PCI has offered a free after-school literacy program to students in grades one through 12 at the thinky and engaging retail-fronted tutoring hub, The Mega-Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (located at 435 Swede Alley in Old Town).