Taj Mahal plays the blues his way May 5 at the MSU Riley Center. 

MSU Riley Center announces 2015 Spring/Summer series

    From country to jazz, from acoustics to vocals, The 2015 MSU Riley Center Spring/Summer Series will have something for everyone to enjoy in this historic venue.

    The series will kick off on March 27 with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, featuring original lead singer Kim Wilson. According to Wilson, The Thunderbirds are “an American music band … full of much higher energy” than they had before. The Fabulous Thunderbirds will offer straight blues, flavored with rock, soul, and jazz to their musical performance.

    From the crowd favorite The Heart Behind the Music: Songwriters Showcase, to country superstar Trace Adkins, the Spring/Summer season will offer a diverse music lineup. Three-time Grammy winner, Branford Marsalis will make his appearance on the Riley Center stage, as will Grammy winning blues magician The Taj Mahal Trio. Also featured this year are The Beach Boys, Peabo Bryson, and Christopher Cross. These are just some of the legends and superstars slated for this season’s lineup.

    “This season, we are proud to offer a mix of everything from blues, to country, to Americana, said Executive Director, Dennis Sankovich. “We hope our ticket goers will find something for every musical taste, as well as a package to go with every budget.”

    Current season ticket holders must renew by Feb. 11, to keep their same seats for the 2015 Spring/Summer season. New ticket purchases may begin with packages starting Feb. 16. The popular “Build Your Own Package,” with discounted prices and early seating choices, will be available Feb. 23 for those patrons wishing to purchases tickets to three or more shows.  

    Tickets for individual shows go on sale Monday, March 2.

    Performances either start at 7 or 7:30 p.m. and select shows will feature pre-show parties in the Grand Lobby, allowing patrons to socialize and enjoy refreshments as a prelude to the evening’s entertainment.

    Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office, which is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday or by calling 601-696-2200.

    2015 Spring/Summer Performing Arts Series Listing

    The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Kim Wilson

    Friday, March 27, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

    Pre-Show 6 p.m. | $39, $33

    Blues-rock legends The Fabulous Thunderbirds have stayed fresh for more than 40 years, thanks to a little evolution and a lot of energy. Founded in 1974 amid the rollicking music scene in Austin, Texas, the T-birds reached their commercial peak in 1986 with the top 10 hit “Tuff Enuff.” What started as a straight blues band now flavors its musical mix with rock, soul, jazz, and other rootsy styles. In the current lineup, lead singer Kim Wilson’s rich voice plays off the stinging guitars of Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller. “We’re an American music band,” says Wilson, “and we’re much higher energy than we were before.”

    For Fans of: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Tab Benoit

    Jim Brickman, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Susan Ashton, Lenny LeBlanc, and Bill Champlin, Formerly of CHICAGO, in “The Heart Behind the Music” songwriter’s showcase.

    Saturday, April 11, 2015, 7:30 p.m. | $39, $33

    The songwriter’s celebration known as The Heart Behind the Music features artists who truly connect with audiences. Jim Brickman’s romantic piano playing and easygoing charm have earned him four gold albums. Beth Nielsen Chapman has written or co-written many country, rock, and pop songs, including the Faith Hill smash “This Kiss” and, following her husband’s death from cancer, the moving “Sand and Water.” Susan Ashton charted several contemporary Christian and country hits in 1990s and early 2000s. She has re-emerged from career and personal travails, angelic voice intact. Lenny LeBlanc, part of the fabled music scene in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, had a 1978 hit with “Falling” as half of LeBlanc and Carr. He still writes country and pop songs, including the Sawyer Brown hit “Treat Her Right,” but concentrates on Christian music. Bill Champlin, a songwriter (“After the Love Is Gone”), studio session singer, and former member of the group Chicago, now focuses just on music that touches him personally. See this show with someone you love.

    For Fans of: Amy Grant, George Winston, Chicago

    An Evening with Branford Marsalis

    Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 7:30 p.m. | $46, $40

    Born into a royal family of New Orleans jazz, saxophonist Branford Marsalis has undertaken many musical adventures. His father, pianist Ellis Marsalis, and brothers Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombone), and Jason (drums) have all forged notable careers. Branford played alongside Wynton in Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers, then in the Wynton Marsalis Quintet. In 1986, Branford began touring with his own Branford Marsalis Quartet. He has ventured into classical music and played with rockers Sting and the Grateful Dead. His score for the play Fences earned a Tony Award nomination. He wrote music for the movie Mo’ Better Blues. In the early 1990s, he even led the band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. As his impish smile suggests, he always has a great time when he performs. So do his audiences.

    For Fans of: Joshua Redman, John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis

    North Mississippi Allstars Acoustic

    Thursday, April 23, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

    Pre-Show 6 p.m. | $39, $33

    Luther and Cody Dickinson grew up immersed in the blues culture of northern Mississippi. Their father, Jim Dickinson, was a mainstay of the Memphis music scene for decades as a producer and performer. As kids, Luther and Cody hung out with Mississippi bluesmen R. L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Otha Turner. So when the Dickinson boys formed the North Mississippi Allstars, with Luther on guitar and Cody on drums, they made music as raw and authentic as a Mississippi juke joint, kicked up a notch with a jolt of their daddy’s rock and roll. No matter where their restless musical imaginations take them, they always keep it real.

    For Fans of: Anders Osborne, R. L. Burnside, The Allman Brothers Band

    The Taj Mahal Trio

    Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

    Pre-Show 6:00 p.m. | $39, $33

    Taj Mahal plays the blues his way. More than 50 years as a performer have taken him around the world. Along the way, he has picked up reggae, Caribbean, African, Latin, Cajun, Hawaiian, and other musical flavors to add to the gritty country blues that he’s loved since he was a kid. For his half century of musical innovation, the growly voiced singer, songwriter, film composer, and multi-instrumentalist last September received a Lifetime Achievement for Performance Award at the Americana Honors and Awards in Nashville. Says Mahal, “The fact that I still am involved in enjoying an exciting career at this point in time is truly priceless.”

    For Fans of: Keb’ Mo’, Ry Cooder, Buddy Guy

    Chris Botti

    Thursday, May 14, 2015, 7:30 p.m. | $59, $53

    Labels don’t stick well to trumpeter Chris Botti. He’s been called the world’s best-selling jazz instrumentalist, but his most recent album, Impressions, won a Grammy Award as Best Pop Instrumental Album. He has collaborated with performers as diverse as classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, rock singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, pop singer Josh Groban, country singer-guitarist Vince Gill, and jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock. Romantic ballads get lush treatment on Botti’s recordings, thanks to his gift for melody and remarkable purity of tone. However, “When I do a live show, it is completely different from my records,” he says. “You’ve got to come out and show them chops and technique and play all this virtuosic stuff.” And Botti can definitely deliver “virtuosic stuff.” That’s why one label really does fit: star.

    For Fans of: Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Dave Koz

    Tangled, fairy tales, family musical theater Wally Jones and Casa Mañana Theatre Presents Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale Book, Music, and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman

    Family Show

    Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 7 p.m. | $18 Adult, $10 Student

    Who will save Princess Rapunzel, banished to a tower in the deep, dark forest by the evil enchantress Lady Za Za? Her only hope lies with handsome Sir Roderick and his hairdressing sidekick, Edgar, who are searching for true love and the perfect head of hair, respectively. Will the lovely, long-locked Rapunzel satisfy both quests? Complicating matters are a dragon who has lost his poof and a neurotic gypsy woman seeking a powerful piece of stolen jewelry. Children love this delightful musical romp, which features plenty of action and physical comedy. The clever script also includes lots of pop culture references and inside jokes that will keep adults smiling, too.

    For Fans of: Disney’s Tangled, fairy tales, family musical theater

    The Beach Boys

    Friday, May 22, 2015, 7:00 p.m.

    Pre-Show 5:30 p.m. | $65, $59

    You can capsulize most pop music acts by reciting how many hits they’ve had and how many millions of albums they’ve sold. But these conventional measurements fall short when you’re assessing the impact of The Beach Boys. To be sure, this band has birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions. But its greater significance lies in the fact that it changed the musical landscape so profoundly that every pop act since has been in its debt. Happily for us all, The Beach Boys continue to create and perform with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut over 50 years ago. As they continue to ride the wave, their Capitol Records release Sounds of Summer (RIAA-certified triple platinum with over three million in sales and climbing) and its companion, The Warmth of the Sun, mark a resurgence in Beach Boys interest that has again rocked the world.

    For Fans of: Jan and Dean, Jimmy Buffett, Chuck Berry

    Trace Adkins

    Thursday, June 18, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

    Pre-Show 6 p.m. | $65, $59

    Trace Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered a fistful of hits to the top of the charts and sold more than 10 million albums. The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is also a TV personality, actor, author, and spokesman for the American Red Cross and the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps injured military veterans. As a dedicated supporter of U.S. troops, Adkins has performed on seven USO tours. The former oil rigger swaggers through such rousing blockbusters as “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” He’s also the father of five daughters, and his tender side shows on “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Just Fishin’.”

    For Fans of: Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Tim McGraw

    Peabo Bryson

    Friday, July 17, 2015, 7:30 p.m. | $59, $53

    If you’re in the audience when Peabo Bryson starts to croon one of his trademark ballads, everyone else disappears. It’s just him, singing just to you. His sumptuous voice knows exactly how to caress a lyric. It also has blended beautifully with the voices of Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Melissa Manchester, and many other female duet partners. In fact, Bryson won his two Grammy Awards for Disney movie duets on “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)” with Regina Belle. Bryson never worries about running out of songwriting material. “Love and relationships,” he says, “that’s an inexhaustible subject matter.”

    For Fans of: James Ingram, Luther Vandross, Eric Benét

    Christopher Cross

    Saturday, August 8, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

    Pre-Show 6 p.m. | $59, $53

    Christopher Cross debuted spectacularly. His first album, 1979’s Christopher Cross, won five Grammy Awards, including the big four: Album, Song, and Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. The album spawned the number one hit “Sailing” as well as “Never Be the Same,” “Say You’ll Be Mine,” and “Ride Like the Wind.” In 1981, “Arthur’s Theme (Best You Can Do)” from the movie Arthur won an Academy Award for Best Song. In the decades since, Cross has continued touring and releasing albums, most recently 2014’s Secret Ladder. He still makes easy-on-the-ears, lightly jazzy music. And his sweet, soaring tenor voice still takes listeners sailing away to paradise.

    For Fans of: Michael McDonald, Firefall, Kenny Loggins