Count Basie Theatre Watch: Nugent, Costello, and Emmylou

Get ready to rock this week as Count Basie plays host to an array of legendary musicians.

Kick the week off on Monday, July 25, with the one and only Ted Nugent. Nugent is a man of many passions—singer, guitarist, author, and staunch defender of gun rights. 

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Nugent got his first taste of fame as a member of the Amboy Dukes in 1968.

In 1975, Nugent left the Amboy Dukes to start his own solo career, and his fame continued to grow.

From 1975 to 1978, he released three albums that went multi platinum and included hits such as Dog Eat Dog, Cat Scratch Fever and Wango Tango. In 1978, he released a live album, Double Live Gonzo, which showcased his enthusiastic live show.

In 1989, Nugent formed the group Damn Yankees, which was very successful. They went on to sell over 5 million albums, largely due to the hit power ballad High Enough.  He eventually returned to his solo career, continuing to make successful albums.

Nugent is also known for his outspoken conservative values. He is an anti drug and alcohol use, something typically unheard of for a rock and roll star.  Nugent has also appeared in a variety of VH-1 reality shows.

On Tuesday, July 26, Count Basie welcomes the hugely popular Elvis Costello and The Imposters.  This concert is one of the most sought after events to come to Count Basie.  Tickets are sold out, so if you or one of your friends was lucky enough to score some tickets, expect others to be begging to tag along.

Costello is a British singer/songwriter whose career spans over 30 years. During the 1980’s, he became associated with the new wave movement. Costello’s music is much too diverse to be stuffed into on genre, however.  He has at times even been referred to as a “pop encyclopedia.”

Costello’s diverse career has landed him two Ivor Novello Awards, a Grammy Award, and internationally acclaimed music television series and a number of sold out concerts across the United States.  His most recent album National Ransom was released in 2010.

Round out the week by catching 12-time Grammy Award winner Emmylou Harris on Wednesday, July 27. 

Harris is a singer/songwriter known for her diverse style of music that fluctuates between pop, folk, country and alternative.  Harris has made 25 albums throughout her 40-year career.  She is a winner of the Billboard Century Award and an inductee in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Harris has recorded with popular artists such as Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Boy Dylan, Neil Young, Roy Orbison, and Willie Nelson.  Her most current album, Hard Bargain, was released in April.

For the Count Basie show, Harris will donate $1 out of every ticket to benefit Bonaparte’s Retreat, a Nashville organization dedicated to preventer shelter dogs from being euthanized. It also works to find them foster care, and permanent homes.

Schedule:

• Monday, July 25, 2011: Ted Nugent, 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 26, 2011: Elvis Costello and the Imposters, 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 27, 2011: Emmylou Harris, 8 p.m.