Country and pop music legend Ronnie Milsap is part of the lineup for Civic Hall Performing Arts Center’s 26th season of bringing nationally touring performers to Wayne County.
Milsap, who performs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the professional-quality auditorium inside Richmond High School, has had 40 No. 1 hits as a country crossover singer. He’s known for songs such as “Smokey Mountain Rain,” “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Stranger in My House” and “Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night).” He has earned six Grammys and was named CMA Entertainer of the Year and received four Album of the Year Awards.
Milsap’s “the Duets” album released earlier this year features stars ranging from Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town to George Strait, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
Before Milsap’s arrival, Civic Hall’s season opens with The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5. The group is fashioned in the style of legendary entertainers such as Frank Sinatra but is putting its own stamp on the Great American Songbook, graced with a touch of Motown, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more.
In December, Brass Transit presents “A Rockin’ Christmas.” The group features eight musicians performing pop/rock hits of Chicago as well as favorite Christmas songs in a Chicago style. The show will be at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7.
The Purdue Varsity Glee Club and Indiana University Singing Hoosiers will perform a variety of songs at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22.
Derik Nelson & Family will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 14. The sibling trio has garnered nearly 3 million views on YouTube. Derik has appeared regularly as the lead guitarist on television’s “Glee,” among other shows. They deliver a concert experience featuring a state-of-the-art light show, an integrated 20-foot video display and many different instruments with new audio technology.
The 5 Browns, who come to Richmond at 7:30 p.m. May 9, perform individually or together in various combinations from duo to complex five-piano arrangements. Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae all attended New York’s Juilliard School and were the first family of five siblings ever accepted simultaneously. The Browns have been featured in People magazine and on “60 Minutes” and “Oprah.” Their three CDs each went to No. 1 on Billboard Magazine’s classical album chart.
This year’s season tickets include six shows instead of five as offered in previous years. Season tickets cost $150 for adults, $145 for ages 65 and older, and $105 for active military and students, with a $5 fee for credit card processing to defray costs.
Individual show tickets go on sale after Labor Day, so season ticket purchase this week is recommended to guarantee availability of all shows.
Civic Hall’s box office is located at Richmond High School, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, and may be reached by phone at (765) 973-3350 or online at www.civichall.com. Box office hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. weekdays.
Civic Hall receives support from local and regional individuals and organizations, including the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Indiana Arts Commission, and the Crane Group. Further funding has been provided by sponsors including Richmond Community Schools, KICKS 96 (WQLK-FM and WHON-AM), Wayne County Foundation, Indiana Public Radio, Whitewater Broadcasting (1490 WKBV and G101-3 radio, First Bank Richmond, U.S. Bank, Earlham College, Wayne Bank and Trust Co., The Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation, Reid Health, Dr. William H. Toedebusch, and Gerald & Gail Dorna.