Tag Archive for: #mcgregorhallnc

Hendersonian Chris Burke Comes Home to McGregor Hall Jan 6th

/by

Soul/Pop artist Chris Burke returns to his hometown on January 6th to perform at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, N.C., one year after the theater first opened its doors. After spending much of his youth in Henderson, Chris will share his nationally acclaimed “velvet vocals” with his beloved community.

Chris first gained stardom in 2003 when he appeared on NBC’s “Today Show.” In awe of his soulful vocal range, NBC producers hand selected him out of more than 6,500 vocalists to be a part of the show’s version of “American Idol” entitled “Today Show’s Superstars.” In front of millions of viewers and the celebrity panel of judges, Chris warmed his way into America’s homes and hearts. On the heels of the show’s success, his career then spring boarded forwarded where he appeared on countless TV and radio programs across the country.

From there, he moved to “Music City Nashville” and has released several recording projects, including four full-length albums of both original material and cover songs, and several singles. His latest album, “I Can’t Make You Love Me: The Mike Reid SongBook,” was released this year (2016) and pays homage to the famous Country music songwriter Mike Reid who has written hits for Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, Ronnie Milsap and more. Reid also provided Chris with several songs for the album that had never been recorded by another artist. With producer and bass player Bobby King, Chris has put together an incredible Soul band, the Chris Burke Band, that perform across the country and within Nashville’s hottest venues. His musical style combines contemporary Neo-Soul/Pop with the classic sounds of Motown and R&B.

Chris is looking forward to returning to Henderson, and refers to his time spent in Vance County as his “golden years.” He explained, “It was a magical time in my family’s life. It’s the last time that we all lived under one roof, my two brothers and my mom and dad. We were all there together and whenever I think about that time, it seems to glow and have a wonderful golden hue around the memories. The path I have taken and the successes I am having now very much originated in Henderson.”

Chris’ concert at McGregor Hall is a reunion of sorts, bringing family and friends together. The Burkes moved away from Henderson in 1989 following the passing of Chris’ father Don. Attending the concert will be Chris’ mother Hansell, his two older brothers Justin and Monte, and a host of family friends who are eager to reconnect with the Burkes.

As the Kerr-Vance Academy Headmaster for approximately 10 years before his passing, Don Burke was a key member of the community and actively worked to excel grade-level education in Vance County. Hansell Burke was also active in various community projects, including helping to open a home for battered women. “During those years, the Burkes were an integral part of our community,” recalls Irv Gupton of Henderson and long-time family friend of the Burkes. “Don was not just a dear friend, but his passion for the outdoors and life in general, helped lift me and my family to new heights. And the Burke’s contribution to Vance County lifted many others in our community as well.”

During his January 6th concert, Chris is not only planning an exciting performance, but will have the opportunity to honor his father, who is laid at rest in Vance County. Chris said he looks forward to giving back to the community that supported his family during his father’s untimely death. “At his funeral, it was standing room only. I believe that people were outside the church because there wasn’t enough room inside. His life and death had a huge impact on not only us, but the town as a whole. I will always remember the love and support we felt as a family from Henderson and everyone in it. So, the idea that I can come ‘home’ to Henderson and pay homage to my father and to the town that raised me is amazing and feels very full-circle.”

Gupton also added, “It has been my dream to reconnect with the Burke family since they left the area following Don’s death from colon cancer. So I am thrilled that his son Chris can perform at McGregor Hall and give many of us an opportunity to reconnect, honor Don and his contributions to education, and celebrate the success of Chris’ career as he entertains us.” And Chris is planning a concert that the Kerr Lake region won’t soon forget. “I’ll be performing with the best band I have ever worked with in my life. The musicians here in Nashville are no joke and, I’ll be bringing my full band and we’ll be performing songs from all my albums. It’s the first time that I’ve ever performed a retrospective-type show with songs from all four albums—two of original material and two of covers. It’ll be an exciting mixture of well-known songs and songs that reflect what I was feeling and going through at the time.”

If you like and appreciate soulful music, this concert is for you, according to Chris. “The music is soulful and makes you feel something deep down in every song. I truly hope to give the audience an experience like no other. I’ve learned so much in my 12 years here in Nashville about music and about who I am as an artist, and I hope to give a little insight into who I am and how I’ve grown since leaving Henderson. It’s going to be a smooth and soulful look into who I am as an artist and what it means for me to be back in my hometown after being away too long.”

The concert will be the first performance held at McGregor Hall for the 2017 season, according to Tommy Deadwyler, executive director of McGregor Hall. “Chris and his band’s exciting performance will not only help to kick off the New Year, but will start the theater’s second-year celebration after opening in early 2016. McGregor Hall has had a hugely successful lineup of events and performances this year (2016) and we’re looking forward to continuing that in 2017 with a showcase of talented performers and educators.

Next year at McGregor Hall is poised to shine an even bigger spotlight on Henderson as the place for arts, entertainment and education in our region.”

Tickets remain available to experience the soulful sounds of Chris Burke and his band at McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center on January 6th at 8 p.m. For more information on the concert, visit www.McGregorHall.org, (252) 598-0662 or visit the box office at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.

McGregor Hall offers opportunity to leave ‘lasting impression’

/by

The Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall wants you to “leave your mark and ‘Take a Seat.’”

In addition to purchasing tickets for events in the new performing arts center, patrons are being given the opportunity to leave a lasting impression by naming a seat in honor or memory of individuals, groups, businesses and organizations.

“The completion of the Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall marks an important milestone for our region,” said Tommy Deadwyler, director of the new arts and education center located in Henderson at 201 Breckenridge Street. “We have created the Take-A-Seat campaign to provide an opportunity for area citizens and organizations to mark their place in history on this important landmark.

“Soon our new center will have brass markers on each of the 997 seats in the hall with the names of those who have demonstrated their love of the arts.”

A gift or pledge of $1,000 secures the lasting tribute, noted John Wester, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation (ECCF).

“We started the Take-A-Seat campaign soon after our doors opened,” Wester said. “The heavy lifting has been done by some generous donors to get our beautiful new facility in operation. Start-up funding is needed now to help us secure the programming for 2016-2017 to attract patrons and meet ongoing facility needs.

“Already dozens are getting on board with Take-A-Seat to help us make this exciting new venture an immediate success. Already we have some individuals who want to remember family members with a memorial plate,” Wester added. “Businesses and civic organizations also are seeing this as a way to show their support and creating a lasting tribute for their entity.”

Wester added that the gift to the Hall is a meaningful way to mark a birthday, anniversary or holiday. Special gift acknowledgment letters are sent to persons who are specified.

Among those who have shown their support is George M. Harvin of Henderson, who has “taken” several seats.

“I want to remember my family and I want to show appreciation to the community,” Harvin said. “Those are the basic reasons, but this is also a fun thing. This is a really positive accomplishment for our town and I certainly want it to succeed.

“There’s the obvious fact that it is renovating and revitalizing downtown,” he added. “It’s also a show of pride in the community. That’s the biggest thing.”

“McGregor Hall belongs to all of the communities surrounding its central location in Henderson,” added Deadwyler. “We are seeing support grow from beyond Vance County’s borders to bring in friends from Granville, Franklin and Warren counties as well as Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and beyond.

“Contributions to McGregor Hall’s ‘Take-A-Seat’ campaign are welcomed from all individuals and organizations who will be enjoying the events our new theater is able to offer,” Deadwyler said.

“At every event, donors will have the pleasure of knowing their generosity has made it possible for someone else to experience the unique joy of entertainment, understanding and self-discovery that comes only with the performing arts available to our communities.”

For those who wish to make installments to make the contribution, the donation can be spread over four payments within the scope of a year. Credit card payments are accepted.

A brochure is available from McGregor Hall with more details on the project, and additional information and a pledge form are available on the web at www.mcgregorhall.org. Forms and payment information should be mailed to the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, the Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall, P.O. Box 1333, Henderson, NC 27536.

Questions can be directed to Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or info@mcgregorhall.org or James Edwards, ECCF board treasurer, at (252) 213-8221 or jamesdedwards@gmail.com.

Hendersonian Gerald Alston Returns To Perform With Grammy-Winning Group The Manhattans

/by

Legendary Rhythm and Blues group The Manhattans, featuring lead-singer Gerald Alston, will perform at the newly opened McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, N.C., on June 18th at 8 p.m.  Born and raised in Henderson, Alston has been singing with The Manhattans since 1970 and led the group to several chart-topping hits like the Grammy-winning song Shining Star.

The son of the Rev. J.B. Alston and Geraldine Harrison of Henderson, Alston was inspired by music at an early age, singing both gospel and secular music with his group The New Imperials. Along with his musically talented father, Alston’s uncle is the late Gospel-music great Johnny Fields of Henderson, a founding member of the group 5 Blind Boys of Alabama, and his aunt Shirley Alston-Reeves of Henderson is the lead singer of The Shirelles, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group. Along with earning a Grammy for the song Shining Star, Gerald Alston was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2015 after his 45-year career with The Manhattans as well as numerous solo records.

On June 18th, Alston will once-again perform in his hometown of Henderson as the lead singer of The Manhattans. “This concert is expected to be a sold-out show,” said Tommy Deadwyler, executive director of the newly opened McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson. “We are thrilled that Henderson’s new performing arts center allows us to host Gerald and his group within his hometown and we know the community is especially excited about this concert.”

ABOUT THE CONCERT: The Manhattans featuring lead-singer and Henderson-native Gerald Alston will perform at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center (PAC) on June 18th at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. The 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art McGregor Hall PAC opened in February 2016 as part of Henderson’s revitalized downtown. Media passes available upon request. For interviews and more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.