Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky, Inc. presents Caribbean Blues

 The Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky, Inc. will kick off it’s 2009-2010 Concert Series with a little Caribbean flavor during its annual Gala at Corbin High School Sunday.

Performing at the event, which begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Betty Hamilton Center for Performing Arts (auditorium), will be Caribbean Blues – a central Kentucky based Afro/Cuban rhythm and Island sounds band. A reception, which will include refreshments, will take place immediately following the concert in the cafeteria.

Caribbean Blues specializes in recreating island sounds, especially steel drum, acoustic guitar and vocal harmony. The band has practiced and performed this style for years. Harry Belafonte, Lord Invader, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Buffett. Caribbean Blues helps you travel to the seaside through the waves of their music.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Ben Brown has been performing with bands since the tender age of 15, and he hasn’t been without a musical group since. A gifted vocalist with a Masters in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, Brown probably can sing more Jimmy Buffet songs than you can name.

Steel drummer Collin Berner makes that old oil can sing with his magical mallets. You’ll believe in time travel as he whisks you away to another world deep in the islands. Close your eyes and let yourself flow with the rhythm of the melodic pan.

Playing drumset is Jim Corcoran, who could teach you a thing or two about beating time; in fact, Corcoran teaches a lot of people about beating on things as the percussion professor at the University of the Cumberlands. He’ll have you tapping along in time as he pounds out the heartbeat of the band.

Singing the high notes and playing the low notes, on bass is James Dean Braunm; larger than life, but smaller than he used to be after losing more than 100 pounds! Dean follows his namesake as the bad boy of the group, and you’ll love his down and dirty bass.

The Gala is a free event and the general public is invited to attend.