Third concert of the Bluebird on the Mountain set for July 24
- Tony Arata performs at the next Bluebird on the Mountain concert
The third show of the 2010 Bluebird on the Mountain concert series is set for Saturday, July 24, at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory and will feature talented singer-songwriters Tony Arata, Thom Schuyler and J. Fred Knobloch accompanied by harmonica player Jelly Roll Johnson. The show starts at 8 p.m. with gates opening at 6.
Season tickets for this year’s series are sold out, but advance tickets for the remaining single shows are available through Ticketmaster or by phone. Tickets are $95 for a carload and a handling fee will be added. No RVs or buses will be admitted. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.
Arata’s soulful style and smooth baritone vocals captured the attention of producer Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks in the 1980s, and in 1990 Brooks’ recording of Arata’s song “The Dance” topped the Billboard country chart and won both Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards. In addition to Brooks, Arata has written for country stars Patty Loveless (“Here I Am”) and Reba McEntire (“This is My Prayer for You”). A talented performer in his own right, Arata has released several albums including Way Back When and Such is Life.
With a fast finger-style guitar technique and a voice that is adaptable to blues or swing, Knobloch’s style proves he is proud of his southern roots. His songs have been recorded by country artists Faith Hill (“If My Heart Had Wings”) and George Strait (“Which Side of the Glass”) and soul legend Etta James (“A Lover is Forever”). Knobloch released a solo album, Why Not Me, in 1980 and in 2000 released Live at the Bluebird Café with Jelly Roll Johnson on harmonica.
Schuyler is a writer, poet and inspirational speaker. However, he is a musician first. Schuyler co-wrote “Love Will Turn You Around” (performed by Kenny Rogers), which won the American Music Award’s Song of the Year and has had over two million airplays. Beyond that hit, Schuyler’s songs have been recorded by Marie Osmond (“The Best of You”) and George Strait (“Trains Make Me Lonesome”). Schuyler, Knobloch and fellow musician Paul Overstreet formed a folk-pop trio in 1986 with the album Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet. Though the group was of short duration, Schuyler and Knobloch continue to write together. In 2001 Schuyler released the album Let’s Eat.
Weather permitting, the observatory also invites visitors to remain and stargaze using the observatory’s Seyfert telescope. If severe weather is forecast for show dates, please check the Dyer Observatory calendar for updates or call (615) 373-4897.
Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, off Granny White Pike between Old Hickory Boulevard and Otter Creek Road, near Radnor Lake. Directions are available at http://www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/.
Built in 1953, Dyer Observatory was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The property consists of the observatory, 1953 house and garage and 2006 Star Chamber. The observatory serves as a community resource for the teaching of science as well as a venue for public, private and corporate events.
Anna Hershberger assisted in the preparation of this release.