Kaz Hawkins—winner of Blues and Soul Magazine’s 2014 “Rising Star” Award and Blues Matters Magazine’s “Best Studio Album of 2015” award, among many others—is taking a little trip away from Ireland in December…because, where else would anyone be when they could be downtown on the Harrison, Arkansas square at our historic Lyric Theater!
Tickets are on sale now for the December 17 appearance of Kaz Hawkins. Kaz has been favorably compared to both Etta James and Janis Joplin; mixing through the genres of music she finally found her niche in roots music bringing a fun,
inspiring and hopeful message with her debut album Get Ready self-released in August 2014…and, as indicated in the first paragraph, she’s been out conquering the world ever since!
Called “A Vocal Force” on stage, Kaz Hawkins envelops the fighting spirit of a true powerhouse singer. Kaz is loved for her down to earth attitude, brings fun to every performance and is loved not only by her fans, but anyone who meets her.
Just a Little Swing for Christmas!
The Lisa Perry Quartet
December 10, 2017 at 7:00PM
Lisa Perry is a true renaissance woman. Any one of her talents would be enough to build a career on, but instead of so mundane an undertaking, she has followed the more enlightened path of building a life that integrates them all to bring joy and beauty to others.
Lisa grew up in a family that loves music and started singing and playing at a very early age. The daughter of a Texas Methodist minister, Lisa was surrounded by music both at church and in the home. Her grandfather—a cook on the Santa Fe Trail—played fiddle tunes for old-time barn dances. Her brother, Randy Crouch, fronts the Oklahoma band “Flying Horse” and has, for example, played fiddle and pedal steel on Lisa’s “Canyon Rose” album.
Music, art and nature are closely linked in Perry’s world.
“My maternal grandmother in Post, Texas would take us out to the canyons and we’d draw the things we saw,” Perry said.
“My dad’s mother was into working with thread and textiles.” Embroidery has been one of her favorite mediums for a long time. “My embroidery art is kind of the result of things both my grandmothers were teaching me when I was young,” she said.
Consider those names for a moment, and you’ll have an understanding of what the Lisa Perry Quartet brings; just for a start:
John Hartford won Grammys in three decades, wrote “Gentle on My Mind,” and was central to the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou
Vasar Clements is called “The King of Hillbilly Swing”
Bonnie Raitt has won Grammys for the “Americana” style, but is generally considered a blues slide guitarist…and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Lisa brings that same sort of mixture to her performances, giving everyone something to enjoy. Her smooth jazzy vocal style has delighted audiences everywhere. A big fan of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, Lisa performs favorites from the 30’s and 40’s along with many standards and a host of original material (she has written literally hundreds of songs). As the Cibola County Beacon (Grants, New Mexico) said, “Although it might be a little difficult to categorize, the music by Lisa Perry is captivating and different.”
Her renditions of nostalgic songs are enchanting to hear. It’s especially delightful when she sings such favorites as “On a Clear Day,” “As Time Goes By” and “Till There Was You.”
~ Chet Callero, The Daily Commercial (Leesburg, Florida)
Painter, gardener, embroiderer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist Lisa Perry will bring her distinctive and captivating style to the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas square to perform with The Lisa Perry Quartet on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016 at 7:00. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Beltone of Harrison, tickets for this concert, “Just a Little Swing for Christmas!” are only $5.00 and are on sale now through the OAC’s ticketing web site or by calling (870) 391-3504.
Still on the Hill Presents a FREE
“Still a River” Concert
Still on the Hill presents a brand new show in this free community concert at the Lyric Theater, 7:30 on October 7! Not only is the concert itself free, but they will be giving away CDs to the first 100 families through the door. (Doors open at 6:30.)
Kelly & Donna Mulhollan of Still on the Hill are award winning ‘story telling-song writers’. Different from most singer-songwriters, this dynamic duo embellishes their songs with a host of unique instruments from the hills they call home. Many of these were hand-made by old-timers and have amazing stories that go with them.
The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra!
July 8 at 6:00PM
The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will be swinging back into the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas square at 6:00 on July 8, 2017! After an initial pre-sale period to Ozark Arts Council members, ticket sales are now open to the public. (To be eligible for our ticket pre-sales—which for some events include ticket discounts—join the OAC today, and to be always up to date on OAC news, Be watching this site and subscribe to our OAC eNews.)
The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a total and absolute economic failure. But Glenn knew what he wanted, held to that dedication and relentlessly worked to succeed. He launched his second band–the one that lives on today–in March of 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930’s and 40’s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity.
Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later.
With the release of the major motion movie “The Glenn Miller Story” featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.
Today, the 18 member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is owned and operated by Glenn Miller Productions, Inc., under license from the Miller Estate. Glenn Miller Productions, Inc., has the sole and exclusive right to use the Glenn Miller Orchestra name—so, this is not a “tribute to the Glenn Miller Orchestra,” but the orchestra that is in official and unbroken succession to the original.
The big-band business today requires almost constant travel as a result of an arduous schedule of one-night stands. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is “on the road” longer and more continuously than any other in the whole world, having celebrated its 60th year anniversary on June 6. It covers over a hundred thousand miles a year, working most every night for 48 weeks out of every 52-nearly 300 playing dates, performing for an “in person” audience that adds up to more than a half million people annually.
Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought after big band in the world. But when it comes to seeing the Glenn Miller Orchestra in Arkansas in 2017, there is exactly ONE place to do it: #OnlyAtTheLyric!
After the overwhelming response to the special appearance of the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on June 26, 2016, the band will be returning to Harrison for it’s only Arkansas performance of 2017, 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8!
Todd Oliver and Irving—the World’s First Talking Dog!
Have you ever met a talking dog, a real talking dog, not a puppet? Get ready, folks, because this September 17 you’re going to meet the funniest character on 4 legs: Irving (with a little help from his friend Todd Oliver) is going to talk up a storm!
If you’ve ever wondered how a dog looks at life, this little home-raised companion is going to give it to you straight from the dog’s mouth. He won’t mince words—and if he does it’s Todd’s fault anyway!
Todd Oliver grew up loving dogs and ventriloquism. As a young boy he studied piano, guitar, voice, and ventriloquism. Along the way he created some wooden-headed characters and performed around the world.
Todd Oliver & Friends, September 17, 2016 @ 7pm
Todd Oliver and Friends have been a feature on Late Show With David Letterman,The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, The Today Show, a couple episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger…and in 2012 they were a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent. For a little taste of what Todd’s shows are like, check out his videos on YouTube.
A major draw for entertainment venues everywhere, Todd is now touring, bringing his brand of family fun to towns across America, and he’ll be here at the historic Lyric Theater on Saturday evening, September 17! So sit back and get ready, because you’re going to have a doggone, rockin’ good time with Todd Oliver And Irving!
Tickets on sale now through our ticketing web site or by calling the OAC office at (870) 391-3504!
The blues is best served up live, with an enthusiastic audience and a killin’ band, and that’s exactly what guitarist Albert Cummings does[…]. Cummings effortlessly shifts from chimney subdued stylings to raucous roadhouse raunch to soaring yet stinging lead lines, driving his audience to frenzy in all the right places.” – Guitar Edge Magazine
Blues-rock guitar in all its glory is headed to historic Lyric Theater, as Harrison, Arkansas enjoys “An Evening with Albert Cummings” on Friday, September 23 at 7:00 PM, for which tickets are now available.
Albert Cummings writes, plays and sings the blues like nobody else. He has played with blues legends B.B. King, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy. Taken with Albert’s fire and passion bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton, of the band Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section, volunteered to play on and produce his solo debut recording, 2003’s self-released From the Heart.
Albert Cummings, Live at the Lyric, 9/23/16 @ 7pm
From these blues greats to Merle Haggard to Led Zeppelin, Albert’s influences coalesce in lyrics that display a country/working man’s sensibility and the guitar virtuosity that rock fans love—a style that covers the best of hard-driving blues, slides comfortably over to intricate ballads, and comes charging right back again “with unbridled ferocity and deep soulfulness…his depth and expression are matched only by his terrifying technique and tone.”
The Massachusetts native learned the requisite three chords on the guitar from his father, but then switched to playing banjo at age 12 and became a fan of bluegrass music. In his late teens he encountered the early recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan and was floored by the virtuosity. While in college in 1987 he saw Vaughan perform and he returned to the guitar with a new outlook and resolve.
The whiz-kid carpenter began his ascent to masterful blues rock guitarist at age 27, with his first public performance on guitar. Soon he was on the Northeast blues circuit with his band, Swamp Yankee. In 1998 he walked into a Northeast Blues Society open jam, which led to Cummings’ winning the right to compete in the Blues Foundation’s 1999 International Blues Challenge. The following year Albert released his debut recording, The Long Way.Bluesprint magazine said it was “a barrage of guitar pyrotechnics that calls to mind a grand mix of the styles of past masters like Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Hendrix.”
Albert Cummings, Live at the Lyric, September 23, 2016, 7pm
That in turn opened up an opportunity for him to work with Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section. So taken with Albert’s fire and passion were bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton that they volunteered to play on and produce his solo debut recording, 2003’s self-released From the Heart. Recorded in Austin, Texas, it featured Cummings fronting Double Trouble (including Reese Winans) in their first recording project since Stevie Ray’s passing. No less a giant of the blues than B.B. King dubbed Cummings “a great guitarist.”
Cummings’ soulful and explosive approach to blues and rock caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, which signed him to a multi-album deal. On his label debut, True to Yourself, released in 2004, Cummings was again joined by bassist Tommy Shannon. Recorded by producer extraordinaire Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy), the album rocks hard from start to finish. The all-original release showcased Albert’s rapidly developing songwriting chops and deeply emotional vocals as well as stunning guitar pyrotechnics, leading Guitar One to exclaim, “He attacks his axe with unbridled ferocity and deep soulfulness… his depth and expression are matched only by his terrifying technique and tone.”
“a barrage of guitar pyrotechnics that calls to mind a grand mix of the styles of past masters like Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Hendrix. – Bluesprint Magazine
Soon tours and shows with blues legends B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and others brought Albert’s music to a much larger audience.
His second release, Working Man (2006), also produced by Jim Gaines, betrays a growing focus and maturity both in Albert’s stinging, incisive guitar work as well as in his fluently idiomatic songwriting. From the punchy, stomping cover of Merle Haggard’s blue collar standard “Working Man Blues” to the deeply emotive ballad “Last Dance” that closes the disc, Albert’s songs are always concise and direct, driven by his uniquely muscular yet polished guitar wizardry. Billboard said, “This recording is the calling card of a blues star who has arrived. Cummings’ guitar work is sizzling. This is one of the top blues albums of 2006.”
In 2008 Albert recorded his first live album, Feel So Good, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts at the historic Colonial Theatre, a 95-year-old “little jewel box” – that’s what James Taylor calls it – that’s hosted everyone from Will Rogers to Al Jolson. The audience was so enthralled and supportive they became part of the performance in a way that’s rarely heard. As AllMusic put it, “It sounds like it was one hell of a party that night.”
Albert Cummings, Live at the Lyric, 9/23/16 @ 7pm
Albert and his band responded with a blistering set of great originals and killer covers of Zeppelin, Little Feat and Muddy Waters tunes. With producer Jim Gaines again at the controls and Albert’s incredible display of guitar virtuosity and deep emotion, this is one live performance that is bound to become a blues rock classic.
Guitar Edge magazine said, “The blues is best served up live, with an enthusiastic audience and a killin’ band, and that’s exactly what guitarist Albert Cummings does on his new Feel So Good. Cummings effortlessly shifts from chimney subdued stylings to raucous roadhouse raunch to soaring yet stinging lead lines, driving his audience to frenzy in all the right places.”
Music Connection called it “one of the best live albums recorded in a long time” and Blurt added, “Cummings’ first live album provides the perfect showcase for the fiery guitarist’s axe-handling skills and enormous onstage charisma.”
In 2011 Albert released an instructional DVD for the Hal Leonard Corporation entitled Working Man Blues Guitar. Cummings’ next CD, No Regrets, was self-released in 2012. It was a return to his true musical roots for the six-string virtuoso, poignantly capturing the core of his influences, displaying the impact that R&B, Rock, Soul, Country and the Blues have had on both his playing and writing. It debuted at #1 on iTunes music charts in the USA, Canada and France.
“An Evening with Albert Cummings” is scheduled at the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas square for Friday, September 23 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are now available.
Jack Broadbent is an incredible singer/songwriter who started his career with busking (performing in the street, sitting on a small amp with the public throwing coins into his open guitar case) and has been leaving audiences spellbound from the very first. His live shows and unique style of slide guitar (take a look at that ‘slide’ up close!) are a demonstration of what real music is: not the tools, but the musician—what the heart and hands of the artist can do with whatever media life has set before him. The key to his performance on stage is that he never forgets the need to draw a crowd on the street and he treats his ticketed-in-advance audiences today as deserving that same “I have to prove myself worthy to them” attitude that drew the crowds on the street and the millions of YouTube viewers.
The Blues has not seen such Good News in quite some time
~ Bootsy Collins
Raised in rural England and with a musician father, Jack was brought up on a diet of music that would later be evident as his main influences, including acts such as John Lee Hooker, Peter Green, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
With feet planted firmly in an authentic blues style, Jack Broadbent in now making waves globally as one of the most exciting modern bluesmen of our time. Jack’s slide performances are attracting millions of views online and a rapidly expanding fan base.
Experiencing Jack Broadbent live is an opportunity not to be missed!
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away from Ireland in December…because, where else would anyone be when they could be downtown on the Harrison, Arkansas square at our historic Lyric Theater!
genres of music she finally found her niche in roots music bringing a fun,
the things we saw,” Perry said.
Lisa brings that same sort of mixture to her performances, giving everyone something to enjoy. Her
Arkansas square to perform with The Lisa Perry Quartet on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016 at 7:00. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of 
