EVENTS
Coming to MSU Riley Center
Georgia On My Mind : Celebrating the music of Ray Charles
One of America ’ s most iconic and influential singers will be celebrated on the MSU Riley Center stage by an all-star cast of award-winning performers .
“ Georgia On My Mind : Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles ” will be presented Saturday , May 14 , at 7:30 p . m ., at the downtown Meridian venue .
“ Georgia On My Mind ” commemorates the late singer , songwriter , pianist , composer and Georgia native in the best way possible : with his music , which is based on gospel , blues , jazz and country . Recognized as an American treasure , Charles transcended racism and culture upheavals to win every major honor : from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame to the Hollywood Walk of Fame . From The Kennedy Center Honors to a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock ’ n ’ Roll Hall of Fame .
Boasting iconic tunes from the catalogue of the man often referred to by contemporaries as “ The Genius ,” “ Georgia On My Mind ’ s ” artists “ make each song a winning part of the tapestry that is Ray Charles music ,” according to a press release . The show features performances by :
Clint Holmes , Emmy Award Winner The Las Vegas-based vocal star has been selling out concert halls around the world with his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence which embrace the upbeat side of life . making every performance an original . Holmes , best known for his silky vocal stylings , has also honed his many other talents , which include dancing and a warm comedic touch . Having spent more than 20 years performing , Holmes has served as Joan Rivers ’ sidekick and announcer on “ The Late Show ,” as the musical feature and event correspondent for “ EntertainmenTV Tonight ,” and as the host of his own Emmy award-winning talk / variety show .
Duenna Frelon , Grammy Nominated Jazz Vocalist / Composer / Actress / Playwright
Six-time GRAMMY ® Award nominee Nnenna Freelon has earned a reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer . Freelon is no stranger to the music of the master singer , having toured with Ray Charles , as well as many other greatest jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis , Al Jarreau , George Benson , and others .
As writer , composer and producer , Nnenna ’ s recent productions include the original theatrical presentation of “ The
Clothesline Muse ,” a devised theatrical work of dance , music , spoken word , vibrant art and projections . She is also one of the stars of the musical theater piece . The play explores the intergenerational relationship between Grandma Blu , played by Freelon , and her granddaughter Mary Mack , played by Cloteal Horne . The clothesline becomes a magical place where memories are shared and stories told . “ The young Mary has little interest in the past ,” explains Nnenna , “ but discovers that there are more than just clean white sheets hanging ‘ on the line ’.”
Take 6 , 10-time GRAMMY and Dove awards winners and Gospel Music Hall of Famers
Take 6 showcases six voices united in crystal clear harmony , placed against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms , innovative arrangements , and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel , jazz , R & B and pop . Members Claude McKnight , Mark Kibble ( who recently won his 11th Grammy Award , this one as arranger ), Joel Kibble , Dave Thomas , Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley have been heralded by Quincy Jones as “ the baddest vocal cats on the planet .”
Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Oakwood College in Huntsville , Alabama , where McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman ’ s Estate Quartet in the 1980s . When tenor Mark Kibble heard the group rehearsing in a dorm bathroom , he joined in the harmonies and performed on stage that night . Their self-titled debut CD scored two 1988 GRAMMY Awards , and landed in the Top Ten Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts .
Kirk Whalum Soulful . Passionate . Stirring ... These are the words most often used to describe Kirk Whalum ’ s music . Forged from his Memphis gospel roots and his 1980 ‘ s initiation into the thriving Houston nightclub scene , Whalum ’ s big , rich tenor sound is unmistakably his .
The ’ 80s were highlighted by Kirk ’ s stepping out of his
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