Jeffrey Gaines Arrives in Elkins! - November 10 @ 8pm

 Nationally acclaimed guitarist and singer songwriter Jeffrey Gaines will make his first appearance ever in Elkins on November 10^th at 8 PM in the Great Hall of the Randolph County Community Arts Center as part of their 2007-2008 Evening Concert Series. Since his self-titled debut album was released in 1992, this expressive and dynamic singer, guitarist and songwriter has been heralded for his soul-searching confessional lyrics and his powerful live performances.

 Recently Gaines was described by Mojo as "the man who sounds like Otis Redding, Elvis Costello and David Bowie wrapped up in one amazing package." Gaines has toured with Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman, Sting, and most recently with Tori Amos.

 Raised in Harrisburg, PA by parents more inclined to spin soul classics by Aretha and Otis than the New Wave and Brit Rock blasting from their son’s room, a teenaged Gaines began playing guitar in several local garage bands covering The Who, The Kinks, and The Jam.  He soon decided to set out on his own and quickly landed a record deal in 1992, releasing Jeffrey Gaines, the first of his five studio releases.  The album garnered four stars from The Philadelphia Inquirer, which described Gaines as “…an ethereal soul...insistent, impassioned, full of self-knowledge.” 

 His 1994 release Somewhat Slightly Dazed, and his 1998 release Galore followed suit.  The New York Post proclaimed his 2001 album, Always Be, as “a dozen-song mix…that completely illustrates the depth he is capable of.” Gaines’ impressive catalogue grew with 2002’s Toward The Sun, produced by Mitchell Froom who has also produced albums by Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, and Crowded House.  The Boston Globe declared that “Gaines’ soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop’s finest singers…an artist who deserves far more attention than some of his more hyped, yet less talented peers.”  Of this release Mojo noted, “This established soul-folkie’s sexy growl has an underlying edge, making it a memorable album that is heartfelt and unpretentious.”

Gaines has built a rapport with his fans rivaling any other in popular music today. In fact, Gaines lets his fans influence the songs he performs each night.  “When it's just me playing, I only know the first song I’m going to play, but from there the energy and the vibe tell me what the next song is gonna be.  Someone may yell a song, and I’m like ‘Exactly! Good call.’  That’s so fun to me, keeping it really exciting and spontaneous.  I don’t even know what's around the corner, and the crowd doesn’t either.”

Jeffrey Gaines Live is the singer/songwriter's sixth release and perhaps the one which means the most to him since it is a special tribute to his fans.  “This live CD/DVD-Plus is really cool for me, something I am so very proud of.  We have songs from every little period of my career and it’s sort of a thank you to the fans who have been with me, and for those who are new to my music, I would love it if they come on board.  We’re ready for you.  We’ve always been ready for you, so c’mon.”

 Gaines will perform for Elkins High School students on Friday, November 9^th as part of the Randolph County Community Arts Center’s Outreach program. Performers in the RCCAC Concert Series will present 15 concerts and workshops in area schools and community settings.  Last year, the RCCAC Outreach Program provided over 21 concerts and workshops, serving 2,800 people at 13 different schools and one nursing home.

 The 2007-2008 Evening Concert Series at the Randolph County Community Arts Center is locally sponsored by Family Dental Practice, Allegheny Insurance, WDNE Radio, The InterMountain Newspaper, and The Graceland Inn and Conference Center of Davis and Elkins College.  This project is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, developed and funded by the Vira I. Heinz Endowment; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization promoting and supporting the arts in Randolph County and the surrounding areas, is located at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins. Tickets for the Jeffrey Gaines concert are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students and can be purchased in the RCCAC office or at the door while they last. For reservations and information, call the RCCAC office at 637-2355 or log onto www.randolpharts.org.  Additional information on the performers can be found at www.jeffreygaines.com or www.myspace.com/jeffreygaines.