KASU hosting benefit
concert for hurricane relief

Sept. 14, 2005 -- KASU, the public radio station for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, will host a “Blue Monday” concert to benefit those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina on Monday, Oct. 3, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at The Forum theatre in downtown Jonesboro, 115 E. Monroe.

All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the natural disaster in the Gulf Coast region.
Artists performing for the benefit will be Vikki McGee, Amy LaVere and the Tramps, and Reba Russell.

Vikki McGee is a southern Louisiana native who moved to Arkansas 13 years ago. Her style is a blend of the Mississippi Delta, Cajun music and southern Louisiana Blues, also known as ‘Blue Eyed Soul.’

McGee comes by her musical talent very naturally, as her great-grandfather was legendary Cajun fiddler Denus McGee, known as “The Dean of Cajun Music,” and her uncle is “Ventures’ ” guitarist Gerry McGee.

She was the lead vocalist for the southern rock band “Louisiana Fire,” and currently plays with the Vikki McGee Band, formerly the Michael Etheridge Band. McGee’s solo album, “Never Knowing,” will be released this fall. For the benefit, she will be accompanied by another uncle, singer and songwriter Randy James Latiolais.

Amy LaVere’s musical interests have taken many turns since she first began playing. She spent four years in Memphis playing blues on the famous Beale Street. After she separated from her musical partner and husband, LaVere returned to her roots and began playing the classic sounds of such artists as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

LaVere and her longtime drummer, Paul Buchignani, then joined with Jason Freeman to create a rockabilly sound that brought out LaVere’s vocal ability. In 2004, LaVere signed a recording contract with Archer Records and is currently working on her album set to be released in January 2006. She plays the role of Wanda Jackson in the upcoming Johnny Cash biopic, “Walk the Line.”

The third person performing for the KASU benefit is Reba Russell, who is described as a mix between traditional blues and R&B. Russell first fell in love with “Memphis” music in the 1970s, and immediately began playing blues when she received her first guitar at age 16.

A background vocalist on “When Love Comes to Town,” which features B.B. King in union with Irish rockers U2, Russell has played with Johnny Cash and has even sung a duet with Ringo Starr. Her current band is comprised of bassist Wayne Russell, harpist and keyboardist Robert Nighthawk III, Memphis drummer Gary Adair, and former guitarist for Blind Mississippi Morris, Brad Webb.

Tickets can be purchased at The Forum box office or by calling The Forum at 870-935-2726. Ticket prices are $10. To contact KASU for more details, call Todd Rutledge at 870-972-2807.

In addition to KASU, other event sponsors are American State Bank, Back Beat Music, Posey Peddler and the Foundation of Arts.

This is the third year for the KASU Blues Benefit. The station takes pride in its support of many different music genres since the “Blue Monday” concerts began in 1999.
KASU is the oldest non-commercial, educational broadcasting station in Arkansas, having first gone on the air in 1957. The station broadcasts in stereo with radiated power of 100,000 watts 24-hours a day, seven days per week, year-round.

The station is a member of National Public Radio and is affiliated with Public Radio International and the Associated Press.

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