It’s a story right out of Broadway legend. Aspiring performer Betty Lynn Buckley arrives in New York fresh off a bus from her native Fort Worth. She proceeds to a previously scheduled audition and several short hours later lands a principal role in a new Broadway musical – all in one day! The rest as they say is history.

She followed up her Broadway debut in 1776 with memorable turns in Pippin and the London company of Promises, Promises, and subsequently became a household name as Abby Bradford in the hit television series Eight is Enough. She branched out into film, notably singing the Academy-Award winning film’s title song, Tender Mercies, and playing Harrison Ford’s kidnapped wife in the thriller Frantic. But it is on stage and in concert that Betty Buckley has cemented her reputation as one of the most innovative and powerful popular vocalists of our time.

From her Tony Award winning role in the musical Cats, the song Memory has virtually become Buckley’s signature tune. But she’s been responsible for equally stunning moments in such shows as Song and Dance, Triumph of Love, and Drood on Broadway and Gypsy in regional theater.  She had the honor of being selected by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play Norma Desmond in both the London and Broadway productions of Sunset Boulevard. Her shattering performance in the legendary Broadway production of Carrie has contributed to the work’s cult status among theater lovers around the world.

She continues to sell out concert halls, supper clubs and cabarets as eager fans thrill to the range and scope of Buckley’s remarkable vocal capabilities. Never one satisfied to rest on her laurels, Buckley has collaborated with some of the best arrangers and musicians in the business, offering new and exciting versions of contemporary classics and beloved standards. She’s even now putting the finishing touches on a collaboration with legendary musician and producer T Bone Burnett, a friend from her home state, which she hopes to release in early 2013. In more recent years, she has become an in-demand educator both in the Fort Worth area where she now raises competitive cutting horses on her ranch and in New York, where her master classes are always filled to capacity.

Her ability to impress an audience with her vocal command and to stir a plethora of emotions have made Buckley a singular presence on the concert stage. As she prepares to release a new album Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway later this August in which she performs songs originally written for some of the musical theater’s most famous male characters, Buckley stops by The Kate on August 2nd for a rare, intimate performance that will showcase her unique talents. It promises to be an evening you will not soon forget. As was said back in the days when Buckley was embarking on her distinguished career, prepare to be “blown away.”

– Karen and Andrew
See you at The Kate!

Singer-songwriter Tom Rush has emerged as a particular favorite of audiences at the Kate, who are set to welcome him once again on Saturday evening, July 28, as the famed artist returns for his third engagement.

This is Rush’s 50th year in music and he plans to finish out this anniversary year with a return to Symphony Hall in Boston on Friday, December 28, timed with the reissue of his 1981 release, “Tom Rush: A New Year,” recorded live at that venue. He’s alo reissuing his debut recording, “Live at the Unicorn.”

Rolling Stone has credited Rush with ushering in the era of the singer/songwriter drawn from his studies in English literature at Harvard University and his early performances at Cambridge’s famed Club 47 (now Club Passim). In the late ’60′s, he introduced and popularized the works of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, while a generation later he did the same again for such artists as Nanci Griffith, Alison Kraus, Shawn Colvin, and Maura O’Connell.

Rush continues to tour and enjoys unprecendented popularity today, thanks in part to his viral video on YouTube, featuring his version of Steven Walters’ “The Remember Song,” which has received over 5.9 million hits thus far.

To check out one of Rush’s previous engagements at the Kate, visit the Vimeo website and search “Tom Rush.” And be sure to purchase your tickets for his upcoming concert now.

– Karen and Andrew
See you at The Kate!

Fans of Delta blues, zydeco and southern rock will no doubt be thrilled as Sonny Landreth, the remarkable musician that NPR calls “the wizard of the slide guitar” takes the stage at the Kate this Thursday night.

When describing his style, it’s hard to limit it to just one or two genres. Landreth has been attuned to the musical language of southern Louisiana for years, and inspiration from Cajun traditions, swamp pop and contemporary rock and roll can also be found in his songs.

Eric Clapton has said that Landreth “is probably the most underrated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.” Concertgoers on Thursday will understand why Landreth has been so much in demand as a sideman to the likes of Jimmy Buffet, John Hiatt and Beausoleil. A talented singer-songwriter in his own right, Landreth and his band have been one of the most popular attractions each year at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Although his new, widely-praised album “Eternal Joy,” offers thrilling evidence of his far-reaching guitar skills on an all-instrumental effort, Landreth’s show at the Kate will feature his vocals as well, affording an opportunity to appreciate his deep and purposeful lyrics. Indeed, a performance to look forward to!

– Karen and Andrew
See you at The Kate!

The summer is only just beginning to heat up at the air-conditioned Kate as we celebrate American music in all of its colors and flavors, from folk-rock to bluegrass, from New Orleans zydeco to crazy jazz, the next three months at the Kate will have programming that appeals to all musical tastes, including those who enjoy Broadway standards delivered by one of the Great White Way’s legendary stars.

This Friday, June 15th, you can kick-start the season with a concert by the New York based folk-rock-roots band, Ollabelle, who are stopping by the Kate on their way to perform on Sunday at Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival. It’s a great treat to see them perform locally. The group started out playing gospel tunes in a Lower East Side bar in the days after 9/11, but together they have grown in style and interests so that their sound now incorporates roots, rock, gospel, jazz, bluegrass and the blues. I can guarantee that you’ll find it hard to just sit without becoming an involved audience member.

In their 10 years together, they’ve attracted the admiration of such esteemed artists as Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, T. Bone Burnett and Allison Krauss. Named after the late Appalachian songwriter Ola Belle Reed, Ollabelle has appeared at the Newport Folk Festival and Austin’s South by Southwest. Together and separately, they have performed with some of the top names in American music today. Band members Singer Amy Helm and bass player Byron Isaacs, for example, have performed with Amy’s dad, Levon Helm, at his Midnight Rambles at Levon’s barn and on the road. Keyboardist Glenn Patscha has worked with Willie Nelson, David Bromberg, Sheryl Crow, Roger Waters, Lizz Wright, Ryan Adams, Laurie Anderson and Loudon Wainwright III, who–be sure to make a note of this–is scheduled to perform at the Kate on Sunday, August 5th.

Of special interest to those who enjoy following the careers of local artists, Ollabelle’s drummer, the very talented Tony Leone, is originally from New Britain and studied at the High School of the Performing Arts in Hartford where he discovered his love for jazz and improvisation. He subsequently studied orchestral percussion at the University of Hartford under the late, great jazz legend Jackie McLean, later working with such artists as West Hartford’s Brad Mehldau, Harold Mabern, Bill McGarvey and the Lowdowners. He’s also married to fellow bandmate, Fiona McBain, who are the proud parents of Georgia Rose McBain Leone.
Ollabelle has toured with such artists as Allison Kraus and Union Station, Diana Krall, and alt. country genius Ryan Adams, as well as making appearances on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” CBS Sunday Morning and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

They’ve recently issued their third CD, “Neon Blue Bird,” which was partially recorded in Levon Helm’s studio. It’s probably their strongest recording to date, as it showcases the vocal talents of each of the five members taking their turns as lead vocalists. It’s a mash-up of new songs, innovative covers and some remarkable takes on more traditional material including a terrific version of Stephen Collins Foster’s “Swanee River.”

Everyone at the Kate is looking forward to spending an evening with this remarkable group. Believe me when I say that their range and scope offers something for almost every musical taste.

– Karen
See you at The Kate!