Versatile musician Ron Sowell to perform season finale for 2009-2010 Woody Hawley Concert Series

Release Date: 4/27/2010 10:00:00 AM

Dateline (city): Charleston

Contact:
Katrina Harmon
kharmon@theclaycenter.org

Attachment: ron_sowell_042710.pdf

Versatile musician Ron Sowell to perform season finale for 2009-2010 Woody Hawley Concert Series

(Charleston, W.Va.) 4/27/10 – Be sure to catch the final performance of this season’s Woody Hawley Concert Series as Artistic Director Ron Sowell takes the stage on Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clay Center’s Walker Theater. Seating is limited and tickets to see this popular artist, whose 2008 Woody Hawley appearance sold out, will sell quickly. The opening performer will be Patricia Ansley.

Best known for his role as the musical director of the internationally acclaimed public radio show, Mountain Stage, Sowell is also a dynamic singer-songwriter, guitarist, performer and producer. Growing up in New Mexico, his life was altered forever when his mother bought him his first guitar at the age of 13. He played in a series of local rock bands and folk groups once he hit the road after college until he eventually made his way to West Virginia and formed two highly praised bands, the Putnam County Pickers and Stark Raven.

With his bands and in his solo career, Sowell has performed across the country and the world and has played with such well-known performers as Sarah McLachlan, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin and Kathy Mattea. He has released two solo albums and four albums with his bands.

Sowell brought the Woody Hawley Concert Series to the Clay Center in 2005 after it outgrew its original home at the Unity Church of Kanawha Valley. Pastor Woody Hawley, before his death, inspired Sowell to start a concert series to feature renowned musicians as a service to the local community.

These popular performances bring celebrated singers and songwriters from all over the country to perform in the Clay Center’s Walker Theater, which is transformed into an intimate-cabaret-style venue for these concerts. Each show opens with a talented local musician.

This performance is sponsored by Dan and Kathy Foster.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org for more information.