Austin's Favorite Beatles Tribute Band will play
The Paramount Theatre with Full Orchestra
McCallum's Fine Arts Academy Orchestra backs up The Eggmen in Benefit Concert
 Austin, Texas (January 20, 2009) - Austin's favorite Beatles cover band, The Eggmen, will perform with a full orchestra on Saturday, February 21, at 8 pm in the Paramount Theatre. "All You Need Is Love," "I Am the Walrus," and "Strawberry Fields Forever" are among the classics that will be performed with the look and sound of the Beatles. The Eggmen have invited the McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra, under the direction of Ricky Pringle, to perform with them in a benefit concert that will fund scholarships for McCallum orchestra students slated to perform in New York City's famed Carnegie Hall in June 2009.
"It's a natural combination for this music," said John Burgess, ("John"-rhythm guitar, keys, harmonica) of The Eggmen. "The Beatles were employing orchestral musicians to record with them, so this concert will provide a live jolt of energy that the original music offered in the sixties," he added. Dedicated to the true sound of the Fab Four, The Eggmen have researched the musical instruments of the 1960s to find their sound. According to bass player Ronn Roberts (the "Paul" of the group), "That's why we haul vintage guitars, amps, and drums to every gig. Because we know how important these wonderful instruments are in capturing the sound, the tones, the feel of that 60's thing." Their arsenal of vintage instruments includes a 12-string Rickenbacker, a Hofner bass, a Gretsch Country Gentleman and the band's 1964 Ludwig drum set.
Performing together since 1992, The Eggmen are dedicated to recreating The Beatles' image and sound. Fans have voted The Eggmen 6-time winners of the Austin Chronicle Music Awards' "BEST COVER BAND" and in the 2005 National Music Awards they won "AMERICA'S BEST TRIBUTE BAND." According to Burgess, "We see ourselves as the keepers of a particularly important flame - live performance of the greatest music of this century (our opinion, of course). We think it's important to treat the composer's musical ideas with a respectful rendition of the original piece."
The award winning McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra has already had a busy year performing at the Long Center and on Congress Avenue at the Annual Capitol Tree Lighting Celebration. "Our students love playing Beatles music. We have played with The Eggmen before and we have several small groups that hire out and play these songs for wedding receptions, corporate events and private parties," explained Ricky Pringle, director of Orchestras at McCallum. "We love it, " said violin player Olivia Erwin who played with the Eggmen at Jovita's on New Years Eve. "It's so much fun playing this music with The Eggmen, and it's music everyone loves, especially my parents," she added.
This event is sponsored by KMFA: Classically Austin 89.5, The Paramount Theatre and Blackerby Violin Shop.
Tickets
for the benefit concert are $26 and $37. Discount students tickets are
available for $15 with student ID at the Paramount box office only. Tickets go on
sale Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at noon. For tickets information call 866.4GETTIX or visit AUSTINTHEATRE.ORG
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Photos available on request.
Contact: Michael Coughlan
Hendrix Coughlan Media, Inc.
michael@hendrixcoughlan.com
512.413.1601
512.420.0968
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