Sandi Patty, Tommy Emmanuel to headline 54th Fine Arts concert series

World renowned guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will be playing this year as part of the Fine Arts Association annual concert series.

The schedule for the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky Inc. 54th “Concert Series” has been announced, and it includes American Christian music legend Sandi Patty and international superstar guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

The season schedule was officially released this week. Betty Comer, Program Chair for the Fine Arts Association, lauded the lineup as exemplary.

“I believe our programming for this season is simply unparalleled,” she said. “You won’t want to miss a single performance.”
Patty, the recipient of five Grammy Awards, will open up the season on Saturday, Aug. 22 at First Baptist Church in London. It is the first time she has appeared in the area as part of the Fine Arts Association’s concert schedule. She is the most awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, with 40 Dove Awards. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004. She has released over 30 albums including her latest album "Everlasting.”

1950s group The Diamonds and the 10-member Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons tribute group Let’s Hang On will play just seven days later on Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Corbin High School Auditorium.

The grandson of legendary pianist Floyd Cramer will appear with a five-piece instrument ensemble on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Gatliff Chapel, on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

On Nov. 28, world-renowned guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will perform a special Christmas show at the Corbin High School auditorium.

Emmanuel, is a two-time Grammy Award nominee and one of Australia’s most respected musicians. With a professional career spanning five decades, he has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide. He averages over 300 live performances a year and is making his fourth appearance as part of the Fine Arts Association’s concert series.

The season will take a break during the holidays, then resume on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 with a performance of Mozart’s “Done Giovanni” by the Peach State Opera at the Corbin High School Auditorium. The show, coupled with the Pastiche Chamber Ensemble on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Union College’s Conway Boatman Chapel are both sponsored by Anne K. Hoskins.

The season will wrap up on Saturday, April 23, 2016 with the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band, conducted by Dr. Steven Sudduth, Director of Bands and Low Brass at the University of the Cumberlands. The performance will take place at the University of the Cumberlands’ O. Wayne Rollins Center.

“It is my strong belief that the performing arts enrich not only our collective communities but the lives of all who live here,” Gibson said. “The performing arts lift our spirits, inspire us, educate us and entertain us.”

“We are incredibly grateful to all of you who have been unwavering in your support of our organization through the years,” she added. “Although our financial contributions have not rebounded to the level we enjoyed before the downturn in the economy, we are just as persistent as ever in providing our audiences the highest quality of artists and performers.”

An individual season subscription for an adult is $75. Students can buy a subscription to all 7 performances for the low price of just $15.

Tiered-ticket packages are available as follows: Family $185 (two adult and three student season tickets); Friend $200 (two season tickets and names listed in program); Patron $350 (four season tickets and listing in program); Sustainer $500 (six season tickets and listing in program); Benefactor $750 (eight season tickets and listing in program); Guarantor $1,000 (10 season tickets and listing in program); Producer $2,000 (12 season tickets and listing in program).
Individual shows can be sponsored for $3,000 and above.

Payment for season tickets can be mailed to: Annasue Davis, Treasurer, 320 Pine Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

For subscription information, visit Gibson’s Music, 112 South Main Street in Corbin, KY. More info can also be obtained by calling: Betty Comer (606) 524-1354, Milton Dunaway (606) 546-4601 or Frankie Ball (606) 524-3091.