American Songwriters Circle Tour Presents Premier Songwriters Delivering
Their Hits to the Northeast Area
NASHVILLE, TN. – (October 16, 2006) – An acoustic concert tour series, AMERICAN SONGWRITERS CIRCLE, features six stellar writers in an intimate setting, sharing songs and inspiration on October 26, 2006 in Torrington, CT at the Warner Theatre. The show begins at 7:30 pm and ticket price is $32.00. You may purchase tickets online at www.warnertheatre.org or by calling the box office at (860) 489-7180.
This American Songwriters Circle tour is hosted by writer/producer/publisher Ralph Murphy and showcases a blend of seasoned professionals and cutting-edge writers including Pat Alger, Tony Arata, James Dean Hicks, Richard Leigh and Darren Bessette. The audience is given a unique opportunity to hear great original material from six different points-of-view in a casual, comfortable environment. One will hear hits, new and old, from some of the best of the best. Together, these songwriters have penned songs that have collectively sold more than 250 million copies.
Ralph Murphy has had more than 20 number one records including, Song of the Year “Talking In Your Sleep” by Crystal Gayle and “He Got You” by Ronnie Milsap. In 1994, Murphy joined ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) where he resides as VP International & Domestic, Membership Group and teaches seminars held throughout North America.
Darren Bessette is a young singer/songwriter hitting the music scene in a big way receiving immediate acclaim from country music’s most respected media and artists. Darren wrote or co-wrote 12 of the 13 cuts on his debut CD, Ten Thousand Miles, including songs “Northern Winds” and “Moxie Road.” Darren has played sold-out performances throughout New England, the Northeast and Canada, sharing the stage with major acts including Tim McGraw, JoDee Messina, Alan Jackson, and Clint Black. Some of his musical influences include Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Billy Joel and James Taylor.
“I have listened to country music my entire life with as much passion as any country fan could possibly have,” shares Bessette. “It wasn’t until I moved to Nashville that I realized how humbling and amazing these songwriters are. All of these accomplished songwriters’ songs have poured through my radio and directly into my heart and soul and had a permanent impact on my life for as long as I live. All I can say is that this New England boy is honored to have been chosen to be a part of such a wonderful event.”
Pat Alger was born in Long Island City, NY, but grew up in the small southern town of LaGrange, GA. In 1980, Livingston Taylor, the younger brother of James Taylor, recorded Pat’s song “First Time Love” which became a Top 40 pop and Top 10 AC hit. Pat’s songs were recorded by artists such as Mickey Gilley, George Hamilton IV, Dolly Parton, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Everly Brothers and Brenda Lee. In 1988, his song “Going Gone” became the first #1 single for 2-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Kathy Mattea. Other #1 hits followed, including: “Small Town Saturday Night” by Hal Ketchum, “Like We Never Had A Broken Heart” by Trisha Yearwood, “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “What She’s Doing Now” and “That Summer” by Garth Brooks. A talented singer/songwriter in his own right, Pat toured the U.S. and Europe for many years as the opening act for Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Everly Brothers.
Tony Arata moved to Nashville in 1986 where his unique, soulful style got the attention of people like Alan Reynolds and Garth Brooks. Garth has recorded seven of Tony’s songs, and “The Dance” won Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and received a Country Music Association and a Grammy nomination, as well as being named Most Performed Song in Radio & Records magazine. Tony has had #1 records with “Here I Am” for Patty Loveless, “I’m Holding My Own” for Lee Roy Parnell, and “Dreaming With My Eyes Open” for Clay Walker. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Delbert McClinton, Don Williams and Reba McEntire.
James Dean Hicks has enjoyed major success as one of America’s premier singer/songwriters. James has written five #1 hit songs and had more than 170 songs recorded by major stars including Johnny Cash, Jessica Simpson, Aaron Carter, Merle Haggard and Kenny Chesney. His song, “Goodbye Time” has been a hit twice on the country charts, first by country legend Conway Twitty and then again by Blake Shelton. James has opened for many diverse acts, from Merle Haggard to Bryan White, and from The Romantics to Keith Urban.
From songwriter Richard Leigh’s first hit, “I’ll Get Over You” by Crystal Gayle to the haunting “Cold Day In July” by the Dixie Chicks, he has been awarded nearly every major award in the music business, including seven Song of the Year nominations and three Grammy nominations. His song, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” won the Grammy and it was also named one of the Country Songs of the Century. Leigh has written 14 Top 10 songs and eight #1 songs including the CMA Song of the Year “Somewhere In My Broken Heart”. He has also been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
The American Songwriters Circle is a unique presentation of songwriters who are the building blocks of the music industry and provides a perspective of who they are as they share their stories of what’s behind the experiences that inspired or led them to write the words and melodies that have dominated the airwaves and touched millions of lives. The audience is able to witness and re-live truly intimate moments with them.
For additional information or to arrange interviews, contact Summer Harman at (615) 500-4613 or via e-mail at summer.harman@comcast.net.
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