Eureka Springs’ The Auditorium opens season with Robert Cray

Eureka Springs - The historic city auditorium in Eureka Springs has seen incredible acts throughout the years—starting at the beginning with John Phillip Sousa in 1928 to more recent acts like Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Merle Haggard, Ray Charles and B.B. King. The 2014 season is no exception.

On Saturday, August 30, legendary Blues guitarist Robert Cray will be appearing at The Auditorium in Eureka Springs.

Cray is a five-time Grammy Award winner. Recognized for his masterful work as a guitarist and multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer, Cray’s musical resume reads like a who’s who in contemporary music. He’s played with a cross section of greats from a multitude of genres, including Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Tina Turner among others, and mentors like John Lee Hooker and B.B. King. These collaborations cement Cray’s unique status as an artist who bridges the gap between R&B, Blues and Rock. Accompanying Cray will be the Tulsa-based Steve Pryor Band. The show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $55 and $75.

The Last Southern Gentlemen Tour brings two members of America’s jazz dynasty to The Auditorium during Jazz Eureka in September. Jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, Jr., along with his son, Delfeayo Marsalis will headline the festival, appearing Saturday, September 13 at 8pm. This tour marks the first time the father and son have performed and recorded together on a project. Tickets to the show range from $25 to $47.50.

The 67th Annual Original Ozark Folk Festival brings not one but three top folk acts to town. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils will appear as the headline act at The Auditorium on Saturday, October 11 with special guests Brewer & Shipley and Danny Cox.

Formed in 1972, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils are best known for their hits “If You Want to Get to Heaven...” and “Jackie Blue,” but their music is steeped in Ozark Folk. The Daredevils were born and bred, so to speak, in the Ozarks. From their humble beginnings at the New Bijou Theater in Springfield, Missouri, the Daredevils went on to play around the world with acts like The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac and The Doobie Brothers.

Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley are truly two who work as one. Still as passionate as ever, they continue to blend guitars and voices and perform for audiences 40 years after their trademark vocal harmonies and intertwined acoustic guitars carved a unique niche in America’s soundboard. Their melodic music and underlying lyrical themes of personal freedom and traditional songs of love still resonate with longtime fans while continuing to draw new ones.

Danny Cox is the anchor that ties the Daredevils and Brewer & Shipley together. As partner in Good Karma Productions and the Cowtown Ballroom, Danny helped manage and promote Brewer & Shipley and the Daredevils on their rise to stardom. A star in his own right, Danny is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, playwright and actor. Tickets are $32 in advance, $37 day of show.

Eureka Springs’ The Auditorium is at 32 S. Main Street, in Eureka Springs. Tickets for all shows are on sale now and available online at www.theauditorium.org.

The Gayly – August 13, 2014 @ 10:10am