Centre Stage Productions

Sunday, July 11  1-4 p.m.  Stagelights presents it’s second music variety show, this time at the bandshell in Azalea Park as part of the American Music Festival.  Please join us as we showcase some very talented musical artists performing songs from a variety of genres.  This is a fundraiser for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community and a donation jar will be passed around.  Bring your lawn chairs or beach blankets, snack and cold drinks…bring your friends and bring your kids as this is for all ages!  For the teen-age set, we have a special surprise in the form of a couple of punk/pop bands traveling around on tour…they will also be playing at Centre Stage on Tuesday, July 13th. 

Saturday, July 10 8-10 p.m.  Garrick Rawlins (see bio below), will entertain us with his originals…guitar and vocals.  Fundraiser for Stagelights music lesson program, $5 suggested donation. (half the proceeds will go to the performer, half to Stagelights).  Doors will stay open after artwalk, so come on in and get a good seat!  The Backstage Cafe’ will be open with our regular menu and some evening specials. 

Bio:

“I’m forever chasing striking blends of folk, rock, country, cowboy, jazz, punk, blues in songs I write and perform. Born in Wichita Kansas, mostly raised in Sturgis, Michigan, then Kalamazoo, on to Chicago, too long in Southern CA, & for the time being basing out of Northern Arizona.  Began as a hard rock electric guitar player emulating the high energy rock out of Detroit, fell in love with the blues in Chicago. Moved out west to L.A. to play some rock and roll and somehow became Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s road manager, opener and sidekick for a while(he duets w/ me on my recording of Dollars To Dust) becoming solo artist. While in L.A. I had the good fortune of getting to know and open shows for world-class songwriters/guitarists Dave Alvin and Rick Shea, some of the best California has to offer.

 My music is neither traditional folk, blues nor rock and roll. The best I can describe it in terms of comparison, with no intent of insulting the masters, is Neil Young meets Johnny Cash meets Woody Guthrie meets Led Zeppelin meets Wayne Kramer (of MC5) meets Townes Van Zandt meets Dave Alvin meets Tom Russell meets John Prine meets…well, you get the idea. I could never be all of those things but I think anyone with similar tastes can hear seeds of a lot those and many other influences coming right back out in my own songs.” 
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Saturday, July 17 7-10 p.m.  Ravin’Wolf once again will deliver a captivating performance on Centre Stage!  Visiting us again from Seattle, Washington, Jaime and Heather Bilyeu  are sure to thrill you with their own brand of what they call Sagebrush Blues and some very awesome guitar playing!  This will be a Blues dinner show, and the ticket price will be $15 per person, reservations required.  Tickets available at Earl E. Books or the Backstage Café’.

Saturday, July 3^rd, 7- 9 p.m.  L.K. (Larry) Potts, award-winning singer-songwriter from Petaluma, CA will be featured on Centre Stage.  Larry’s music is described as acoustic folk with a taste of Americana, country, blues, jazz, and pop.  Larry was referred to us by singer-songwriter Steve Meckfessel, who visited us a couple of months ago from the Bay Area.  This is a Stagelights event, suggested donation $5 per person.

This show was cancelled unfortunately, to be rescheduled at a later date!

Saturday, May 22, 7-9 p.m.  Rick Shaw returns to Centre Stage for another dinner show.  Details to be announced.  $15 per person includes dinner and show, $5 show only.  Reservations available at Centre Stage or Earl E. Books, 703 Chetco Ave., Brookings.

Biography:

Rick Shaw - Not a stage name, comes by songwriting honestly. He really had no choice - the genes ruled! His Grandmother - on Dad’s side was a country/ blues songwriter/singer during the depression and all through her life. She passed the country songwriting along to her son Jim Shaw, who ended up in and out of Nashville, Tennessee during his musical career, pitching songs and performing with the country artists of the 50’s 60’s and early 70’s. Rick inherited the songwriting and performing ability of his Dad in the country music field, while gaining the blues influence of his Grandmother, and the rock, and jazz influences that showed up along the way. A fourth generation Tennessean, Rick didn’t take to country music right off while honing his guitar skills on Southern rock and roll and blues, as he became known for years as Rockin’ Rickey in music circles from Tampa, Florida to Nashville, and the Detroit, Michigan area in the seventies and into the eighties. When he got tired (quickly) of “cutting hamburgers into five and six parts to play rock music, where most of the money went to pay for the equipment,” he turned towards country music, where his Dad had been his whole life. After awhile he was opening concerts for acts such as Earl Thomas Conley, Jim Ed Brown, Eddie Raven, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, and B.B. King. Rick influenced one of the founding members of the country band - Sawyer Brown - lead guitarist Bobby Randall ( Who later hosted You Can be a Star, Nashville Network) with his rocking style of playing country music. Randall went so far as to copy Rick’s amplifier setup and style of guitar, as he would come to a certain venue they both worked from time to time, to ask how he played particular rock licks in a country song. Sadly, when the two met again after Randall’s band helped create the rocking country sounds you hear today, Randall acted as though they had never met, and Rick decided he liked ” Nashville cat’s”  not a whole lot.  So he moved to Tampa, Florida and turned to the Blues/Rock scene there. One night while playing at a club of Blues fame - The Blues Ship - a man entered while Rick was playing guitar with a three piece band there. The man had an entourage of people with him. At break time he was introduced to Robbie Steinhart - the founding member of the band Kansas, Violinist and songwriter of ” Dust in the Wind.” Robbie had picked Rick to open for his new band Steinhart Moon, at their gigs in Tampa Bay. In Robbie’s words ” play guitar like I just saw you do, Man.” That lasted about a year before Rick finally migrated back to Nashville to pursue songwriting in the late nineties and into the early part of this decade. He currently has a catalog of songs being shopped around and a publishing contract offer on the table in Nashville, with the son of legendary Nashville songwriter - Harlan Howard - Perry, at BMI.  Rick moved to Oregon to be near his Dad as Jim’s health is on the decline. He’s been here two years now and has recently begun to venture out as a single act. Now working on a second album called MedicineMan, his first album can be purchased at his gigs or online at the following e-mail address. 7mmcreations7@sbcglobal.net   

Saturday, May 8, 7-9 p.m.  Milan Reynolds will perform for the first time at Centre Stage.  Dinner menu will feature a mexican fiesta.   $15 per person, includes dinner and show.   $5 show only.   Reservations available at Centre Stage or Earl E. Books, 703 Chetco Ave.,  Brookings.  This will be right after the artwalk so seating will start  

Biography

Milann was born a poor black child with blond hair, blue eyes and white skin. Milann was drawn to rhythm & blues and jazz from an early age believing that R&B and jazz is the foundation for music referred to as American. He picked up his first musical instrument, a saxophone at age nine. At twelve, he began playing guitar and never stopped.  At fifteen, he began his vocal training. He had the privilege of training with various vocal instructors including Oscar Hammerstein, Jester Harrison and many more; Jester Harrison being a major influence in vocal style. At sixteen, he won the Northwestern Jazz Festival Competition for sax improvisation. While living in Santa Cruz, California he

worked as a studio musician, for Hun Sounds in San Rafael. He provided musical and vocal back-up for numerous well known artists. He lives in Northern California with his artist wife and performs locally. For further information, please contact Milann at MilannR@msn.com.

Sweet Town Little will perform a Preview Concert at Centre Stage, Thursday, April 1 from 7:30 to 9:30.

This will be a free concert, although donations to Stagelights Musical Arts Community  are gratefully accepted.  All proceeds will go toward the development of the lesson program which is almost ready to begin.  We have students waiting, and teachers are formulating their lesson plans…your donations will help defray the costs for both students and Stagelights!  Centre Stage is located at 703 Chetco Ave., Brookings (in the Central Mall)

                      Scott Perry - Lead Vocals, Keys, Guitar         Mike Tyce - Bass
                David Amato – Drums                                    Paul Lopez - Lead Guitar

 Singer/Songwriter Scott Perry has been performing here locally since he was 12 years old. He has won and done well in many competitions including, Southern Oregon Idol, and Colgate Country Showdown.   He has also opened for rising acts such as Country Music Artist, Jake Owen, and American Idol Top 10 finalist, Kristy Lee Cook, from Selma, OR.
Paul Lopez - A guitar player from the young age of eight.  He’s the jack of all genres but rooted in progressive rock, blues, and acoustic originals. Paul now tries his hand at country for the first time and he’s loving it. He says, “it doesn’t matter what you play as long as you have fun doin it.”

Drummer David Amato started playing drums at the age of 10 in Grants Pass, Oregon. He has played in various Rock bands throughout the years, including American Standard, Tongue of Razors, 3DM, and End of Never. David has now discovered his talent in Country Music with Sweet Town Little.
 Mike Tyce has been involved in music since he was 5 years old.  Says he started out playing various instruments but eventually found his interest in playing bass guitar.  After 30 years of playing in several bands, which pertained to different genres such as blues, rock, country, and bluegrass, he now enjoys playing and writing music with Sweet Town Little.

Saturday, April 3 7:00 to 10:00 PM: San Francisco Bay Area singer/songwriter Steve Meckfessel offers intimate songs of family secrets, of long forgotten poets, of separateness, connection, of second chances and acceptance. He is a guitar player’s songwriter with arrangements distinguished by their varied voicings and unexpected chord progressions. Checkout Steve’s website here.

Steve will be joined by songwriters Perry Devine and Larry Diehl for a songwriters-in-the-round set that is sure to be fun and deeply moving at the same time. Checkout Larry’s website here and Perry’s website here.

This show will be a fundraiser for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets are available at Centre Stage and Earl E. Books. Both are located at 703 Chetco Ave (Hwy 101) in Brookings.

Saturday, March 27 7-9 p.m.  Stagelights presents Portland singer-songwriter Christine Havrilla in her first performance at Centre Stage.  This is a fundraiser for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community… $10 at the door  $8 in advance, tickets available at Earl E. Books or The Backstage Cafe’. 

Portland based, Philadelphia native, Christine Havrilla, brings her “well-built, catchy, smart tunes” (Upstage Magazine) to audiences all over! Touring nationally in support of her latest project, “In My Chair,” Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty audiences quickly embrace. Named “One of the Top Ten Indie Artists” by The Advocate Magazine, The Washington Post writes, “(Havrilla’s) songs are intelligent and moving, the arrangements are incisive and colorful, and, best of all, Havrilla consistently comes across as a confident and seasoned performer.”

Thanks to our sponsor for this event, Wild Rivers Motor Lodge, Brookings, Or.

Friday, March 26, 7-9 p.m.  Robert Meade is from Eugene and has visited Centre Stage in January of this year with his wife Talia Winship.  This time around, Robert will be performing solo.  $10 at the door  $8 in advance.

A recent review read:  “Eugene, Oregon’s Meade channels some of indie rocks greatest souls in his raw, vulnerable lyricism and playing. His voice cracks at just the right emotional pitches, his solo guitar work builds and plateaus achingly and leaves you feeling, simply, depressed. But it’s deftly and soulfully done, a reminder that even life’s painful subjects have a strange beauty about them that we sometimes need to face head on. And not all of Meade’s work is of the downer sort, just some of his most haunting” ~MF (The Monterey County Weekly Dec. 26th 2009).

Saturday, March 13 4-7 p.m.  Featured musicians…Jurassic Country and Co. (Rapp Brush, Cousin Elmo, Bill Pearson, Dave Tanner)…classic country sound!  Featured artists:  Bette Sherbourn-mixed media, James C. Anderson-whimsical sculpture, oriental influenced mixed media,  beaded jewelry. Free event, refreshments will be provided with additional items available at the Backstage Cafe’. 

Friday, March 12 7-10 p.m.  Enjoy classic hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with local talent Michael Quale…12 string and classical guitar and vocals, and his own unique style.  $5 at the door

 Saturday, March 13, 8:00 pm:  - Alaskan singer/songwriter Tom Begich returns to Centre Stage for an evening of heartfelt contemporary folk music. Tom completely mesmerized the audience with his moving songs, rich vocals and awesome guitar playing when he was here in October. Don’t miss what is sure to be a magical evening. Admission is $10 at the door or $8 in advance. Stop by Centre Stage or Earl E. Books to get your tickets in advance, since this show will probably sell out. This will be a fundraiser for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community, so come out and support this great organization while enjoying some fantastic music.

Saturday, February 27, 7-10 p.m.  Join Rapp Brush, Cousin Elmo, Bill Pearson, and Dave Tanner for some good old country music!  These boys have been around for a long time (as the name implies), and know all your favorite country songs.  $5 at the door

The Backstage Cafe’ will be open for beverages and appetizers.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 7-10 p.m.  The twice monthly jam will feature any and all genres, depending on who shows up!  Sound system and drums are in place, just grab your instrument or tune up your singing voice, and come on down.  We welcome an audience too, so if you aren’t inclined to join in, but love to listen to music…we would love to see you!   Free event, donations to Stagelights appreciated.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 5-7 p.m.  Join us for a very special Valentine’s Day Dinner Show.  The menu will include Lasagna (choice of meat or vegetarian), Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert, and a Beverage.   “Crooner” music and love songs performed by The Wafler Effect:  Rick Wafler, Heather Klensay, Nick Sandoval, Patrick Graves, and Danny Clark.  Dress up in your finery and enjoy a romantic evening, Centre Stage style!  $25 per couple, advance tickets only.   You may purchase your tickets by phone, 541-251-3952 or 541-412-8099. 

Saturday, Feb. 13, 4-7 p.m.  Featured artists:  James Anderson, whimsical sculpture, oriental influence mixed media, beaded jewelry.  Bette Sherbourne, mixed media.  Featured musical guests:  Homemade Jam.  Father/daughter duo Chris Vorster and Willow Owings, guitar/mandolin/vocals.  Refreshments will be available too!

Thursday, Feb. 11, 7-10 p.m.  Join Kim Banfield for an evening of strumming, drumming, singing, and fun!  We might even break out the karaoke machine if we run out of songs to play.  All ages and skill levels welcome.  The sound system and drums are in place, just grab your instruments and come on down.  This is a free event, donations to Stagelights are appreciated. 

Thursday, Feb. 4, 7-10 p.m.  Percussionist Gordon Later hosts the Join In Jam, now on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  We provide the sound system and drums, you bring your instruments and/or voices.  All genres and skill levels welcome.  This is a free event, but please donate to Stagelights if you can, in order to help cover the costs (building & utilities) for this and other community events.

Wednesday, January 20 6-9 p.m.  You are invited to the Redwood Theater to view the Playing for Change (peace through music) documentary and to experience the uplifting message of the film.  The Stagelights House Band will kick off the show with 45 minutes of music.  There will be a discussion session after the film, and sign up sheets will be available for music lessons and the youth choir.  This is a fund raiser for Stagelights Musical Arts Community and the suggested donation is $5.  If you don’t have a donation, please come anyway!  Doors open at 5:30.  The Redwood Theater is located at 621 Chetco Ave., downtown Brookings.  Our thanks go to Tim Patterson for donating the use of his venue to our cause! 

The mission of Stagelights is: To provide music education, enrichment and enjoyment to all age groups, regardless of their ability to pay, and…To act as a communal center for musicians and aspiring musicians, with a focus on youth and senior outreach. 

Board members:  Kim Banfield, Perry Devine, James Anderson, Scott Graves, Michelle Later. 

Stagelights House Band Members:  James Anderson, Kim Banfield, Perry Devine,  Scott Graves, Jef Hatch, Gordon Later, Paul Lopez, Tim Muehler

For information about Stagelights, or to become involved with our mission, please email Kim at centrestage@charter.net  or phone 541-251-3952.