Community Concerts of the Treasure Valley (TVCC) and the Four Rivers Cultural Center (FRCC) are excited to kick off the 2024-2025 Community Concerts series with Tapestry: Carole King Tribute on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Meyer-McLean Performing Arts Theater at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario, Oregon.
Carole King is without question the most successful and revered female singer-songwriter in pop music history. More than 400 of her compositions have been recorded by over 1000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles—from “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” for the Shirelles to “Take Good Care of My Baby” and “Run to Him” (Bobby Vee), “Crying in the Rain” (Everly Brothers), “The Loco-Motion” (Little Eva), “Up on the Roof” (The Drifters), “One Fine Day (The Chiffons), “I’m Into Something Good” (Herman’s Hermits), “Just Once in My Life” (Righteous Brothers), and “Don’t Bring Me Down” (The Animals).
It was her 1971 album “Tapestry” that took King to the pinnacle, winning all three of the key Grammy Awards—record, song, and album of the year as well as best female vocalist honors for King. With more than 25 million units sold, Tapestry remained the best-selling album by a female artist for a quarter century, and King went on to amass three other platinum and seven gold albums.
Tapestry: Carole King Tribute starring Jeannie Austin on piano and vocals, along with her back-up singers and band, faithfully recreates the glorious sound of a Carole King concert, leaving the audience with memories of the great music King wrote and recorded. A multi-media extravaganza, Tapestry brings you “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “The Loco-Motion”, “Natural Woman”, “It’s Too Late”, “So Far Away”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, “One Fine Day”, “Beautiful”, “I Feel the Earth Move” and many other songs.
Impeccable attention to detail is taken in recreating a respectful and accurate musical presentation of piano and vocals, just as they were. Tapestry not only presents the record-breaking, Grammy winning album of the same name, but is a retrospective of the iconic songwriting team of Goffin and King, and her hits that continued into the 70’s. This prolific team wrote chart topping hits for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Bobby Vee, The Beatles, James Taylor, the Drifters, Donny Osmond, and the list goes on.
You will feel the Earth Move under your feet with this show.
Members of the band include:
Jeannie Austin – Piano/Vocals. Jeannie brings a wealth of experience to the stage. After an Actors life in NYC and receiving a BA in Liberal Arts, music was the next ambition on her To Do list. She lives in Los Angeles and works in Film production by day and plays music at night. She loves all kinds of music and plays in multiple bands. Her first instrument was Piano, but also plays Acoustic and Electric rhythm guitar, with a little bit of Harmonica and Mandolin thrown in and will take on any other instrumental challenge as needed. Music is a passion and Carole King is her inspiration.
Steve Elowe – Guitar/Vocals. Steve grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA. He became interested and moved by music at age 5 while watching his sister’s folk group play at USO clubs. She gave him his first guitar lesson at age 8, and he hasn’t stopped playing and singing since. By age 10 he was playing in cover bands playing at colleges and High schools. The band ‘Fantasy’ was a local favorite that featured Scott Page on trumpet (later known as the sax player from Pink Floyd). From 12-15 years old he would play with musicians from Sugarloaf and the Mothers of Invention and many others who went on to national touring acts. At age 13 he recorded commercials for the LA Zoo and local malls. From the late teens on into his early 20’s he would become a local studio musician, would write and record commercials as well as the theme for the Disney Channel launch. After the channel was picked up by cable, his voice would be heard every 10 minutes on the Disney Channel as their station ID theme for the next 6 years. In these years he would play in bands with musicians from Night Ranger, Genya Ravan & 10 Wheel Drive, Shalamar, Jethro Tull (to name a few) and co-write a song for the movie “Breakin’”. In the early 80’s he met Ray Wolffe through one of his oldest friends and mentors, Michael O’Neil (guitarist with George Benson). He was asked by Ray to join his band Loose Change to replace long time member Phil Solom who was leaving to join the Rembrandts. Along with Cyril Cianflone and then drummer Milt Boyat they would tear up LA playing funk and Rock-A-Billy to packed houses, sought after by several record labels, but breaking up before any contract could be signed. You will still find Steve singing, playing, and recording with numerous bands. Most recently: Backing bands for 60’ & 70’s stars Chris Montez, Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods and Pat Upton (Spiral Staircase), as well as several tribute bands (Deja Vu — Tribute to CSNY, Savor–Tribute to Santana, The Long Run (experience the Eagles) and more.
Starr Light – Vocals. Born in Hollywood, CA, the little girl who came to be known as Starr grew up performing. Dance lessons transitioned into a talent for musical theater. While athletics played a dominant role during the high school years, come college time she declared theater as her major at Loyola Marymount University. Four years in the theater program and several productions later, Starr emerged from LMU with a desire to expand her horizons. A stint as an amateur competitive ballroom dancer through the USC Ballroom and Latin Team allowed her to experience many styles of partner dancing. Starr now sings lead in her own Los Angeles based cover band, Run for Cover LA, hosts and sings for The Dollface Dames burlesque troupe and provides background and lead vocals to other cover and original bands in a variety of genres. Not only does Starr love performing on stage, but she also enjoys encouraging other performers to find and embrace their inner superstar.
Tim Battig – Keyboard/Vocals. Tim Battig is a multi-instrumentalist from Santa Monica, California. A classically trained French Horn player, he not only plays and teaches all brass instruments, but also piano, harmonica and even guitar and bass occasionally. He has worked with Ray Charles, Barry White, Juan Gabriel and the band Morcheeba, as well as symphony orchestras, operas and musical theater productions, and TV commercial recordings.
Rick Thibodeau – Bass. Rick attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has played and sang with artists as diverse as Leif Garrett, Al Jardine (The Beach Boys), Denny Laine (The Moody Blues, Paul McCartney & Wings), Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Midnight Riders) and members of The Outsiders, The Buckinghams, The Cowsills, The Bay City Rollers and many others. He performs regularly with tribute bands including Bella Donna (Tribute to Stevie Nicks), Savor (Tribute to Santana) and others. He was voted BEST BASSIST OF THE YEAR by the C.C.M.A (CA Country Music Association) in 1999. His original music is featured in many TV shows, HBO specials and feature films.
Dave Haddad – Drums. Dave Haddad is a renowned drummer based in the Los Angeles area, celebrated for his extensive experience in large venue performances, session work, and touring. With a career that spans countless successful world tours, Dave stands out as a dynamic performer and a reliable musician, known for his expertise in ethnic and multi-cultural drumming. Throughout his life Dave has excelled first as a student of music, eventually becoming an educator and innovator. Dave’s seemingly boundless musicality, artistic creativity, and impeccable sense of time and groove make him a standout performer. Whether it’s a live performance or a studio session, you can count on Dave Haddad to deliver excellence with every beat, bringing a high level of artistry and professionalism to any style of music.
Tapestry: Carole King Tribute is proudly sponsored by Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (FMTC), WESTAF, the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available in advance at Dorsey Music/Ontario or at the gift shop at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. Adult and student individual concert tickets are also available on Eventbrite through the CCTV Facebook Page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tapestry-a-carole-king-tribute-tickets-1000558907627?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl. Season tickets, family tickets and the popular punch-card will also be available at the door.
Future concerts include Luca Stricagnoli, Italy’s guitar prodigy on Saturday, November 9, 2024, Nic + Desi, song, dance and romance on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Quarteto Nuevo, one of the most exciting and innovative groups in America today on Saturday, March 8, 2025, as well as Trevor Panczak, an award winning country music entertainer from Alberta on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
All events are suitable for all ages. For further information or questions or advance purchase of season or family tickets, please email communityconcertstv@gmail.com or call Janet Komoto at 208-739-2777.
