Keith Sykes Weekend Features Renowned Songwriters
Keith Sykes Weekend Features Renowned Songwriters
Sykes, Richard Leigh, Buzz Cason, Jimmy Davis among hit-makers to perform
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — February 10, 2009 — Songwriters who have penned multiple No. 1 hit songs and tunes that have sold tens of millions of copies collectively will be featured at the Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend, a two-night showcase set for Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, at the historic Arlington Hotel.
The event is the brainchild of Keith Sykes, the Memphis singer-songwriter whose compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, the Judds, John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, George Thorogood and many other rock and country superstars. Sykes co-wrote “Volcano,” a major Buffett hit, and has performed on “Saturday Night Live” and “Austin City Limits.” He has played in Hot Springs for years, and his songwriter showcase has grown annually. In addition to Sykes, performers this year include:
• Richard Leigh: The Grammy Award-winning songwriter is best known for “Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue,” the crossover No. 1 pop and country hit for Crystal Gayle. His other huge hits include “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” (Reba McEntire), “Cold Day in July” (Dixie Chicks), “I’ll Get Over You” (Crystal Gayle), “I’m in Love and He’s in Dallas” (Marie Osmond), “Life’s Highway” (Steve Wariner) and “That’s the Thing About Love” (Don Williams).
• Larry Joe Taylor: One of Texas’ most popular performers, Taylor for 21 years has staged the Texas Music Festival and Chili Cookoff, which draws more than 30,000 fans who come to hear a who’s-who of Texas musicians. And his collection of albums on Third Coast Records has helped create a legion of LJT fans.
• Jimmy Davis: Named Premier Male Vocalist by the Memphis chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1998, he is a founding member of the RiverBluff Clan, a renowned Memphis group. He also was guitarist and lead vocalist for Jimmy Davis and Junction, which had an FM hit in 1987 with “Kick the Wall.” Davis has written songs recorded by Martina McBride and Restless Heart, among others.
• Susan Marshall: This Tennessee-based singer/songwriter began her music career as a classical singer before becoming a successful backup vocalist for Lenny Kravitz, the Afghan Whigs and Lucinda Williams, among others. She co-founded and fronted the bluesy early-’90s retro-rock group the Mother Station, which scored a radio hit in 1994 with “Put the Blame on Me.” Marshall’s latest album, “Little Red,” features guest appearances by Lucinda Williams and Dan Lavery of Tonic and the Fray.
• Buzz Cason: This veteran’s list of credits is mind-boggling. He has written dozens of hit songs, including “Everlasting Love,” which Carl Carlton took to the top of the charts in the 1970s. In fact, Cason the only songwriter credited with cuts by pop icons, the Beatles, Pearl Jam and U2. In addition, he has provided backing vocals on albums by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Buffett and Conway Twitty.
• Jed Zimmerman, Nancy Apple, David Couser, Grace Askew and Delta Joe Sanders, popular performers on the Memphis singer-songwriter scene.
The Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend includes:
• An 8 p.m. concert Friday, March 26, in Rooms B and C on the mezzanine level
• A 10:30 a.m. “Blood Marys with Jed and Joe” concert Saturday, March 27, in the hotel lobby.
• An 8 p.m. show Saturday, March 27, in Rooms B and C.
The event is sponsored by Ben E. Keith Foods. Tickets are $50 for both nights and $30 for one night only. They are available in advance at www.keithsykes.com and at the Arlington on the concert weekend. There will be a silent auction filled with music-related memorabilia and other treasured items, with proceeds benefiting the Tim Mathis Memorial Scholarship Fund. For hotel reservations, please call the Arlington Hotel at 501-609-2533 or 800-643-1502.
For questions about the concerts: 501-258-5355
