NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, September 4, 2008—The Robert Cray Band will deliver a good helping of gritty, Southern-style blues at Walton Arts Center on Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Successfully crossing over between R&B, pop and traditional blues, master blues guitarist and storyteller Robert Cray’s unique, eclectic blues sound has resonated with a wide range of audiences for over 30 years. Tickets for The Robert Cray Band range from $28-$48 and can be purchased by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479-443-5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
A native Georgian, Cray has received five Grammy® Awards and has been nominated an astounding 13 times. From classic titles such as “Phone Booth” to highlights from his latest release, -“Poor Johnny”, The Robert Cray Band continues to lay down track after track of good-time, uptown, low-down blues.
In 2006, Cray satisfied fans’ wishes with his first ever full-length live concert CD, where the fires that drive him on stage burn on disc as well. The Robert Cray Band: Live From Across The Pond was nominated for a Grammy® Award and features the celebrated triple-threat singer, guitar slinger and songwriter as he presents the best moments from his week-long run at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May 2006, opening for friend and mutual admirer, Eric Clapton.
Aside from their musicianship, the key to The Robert Cray Band’s success is their history. With more than a thousand gigs played around the world, they’ve locked in a sound that’s elegant and direct, searing and smooth. The band’s current line-up includes guitarist/singer Robert Cray, drummer Kevin Hayes, keyboardist Jim Pugh and bass guitarist Karl Sevareid.
The Robert Cray Band is part of the Dove® Chocolate Concerts & Attractions Series. Walton Arts Center’s 2008-09 season sponsor is Wal-Mart/ SAM’S CLUB.
For more information on this performance, contact the Walton Arts Center’s Box Office by calling 479.443.5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org.
Walton Arts Center is Arkansas’ largest and busiest center for the performing arts and entertainment. Each year more than 140,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend over 350 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, graduations and more. Approximately 25,000 students and teachers from 30 school districts participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and over 300 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more.. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 50% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
