Local Musicians to Appear on Paramount's stage

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2007

Launching an initiative to feature the area’s talented local musicians on The Paramount’s stage, Charlottesville’s historic theater is pleased to host two such artists in October.

Peyton Tochterman and High Society will perform their unique brand of acoustic music with special guest Shannon Worrell in a concert on Friday, October 12 at 8 pm, and blues guitarist Ralph Rush will be the first in a periodic series of pre-performance music acts, playing prior to Dr. Maya Angelou’s appearance on Thursday, October 4.

Ed Rucker, President and CEO of The Paramount Theater, comments “These performances broaden The Paramount’s mission to present artists and musicians who are nationally and internationally-known in an effort to occasionally feature local musicians as well.”

Peyton Tochterman and High Society are creating new standards, new sounds, and new music for the modern times. With mandolin, drums and percussion, acoustic guitar and vocals, electric guitar, accordion, bass, and trumpet, High Society is pushing the boundaries of acoustic music through an unusual combination of instruments and cutting-edge social commentary.

Their performances are spontaneous, energetic, original, and most assuredly uncompromised by the cookie cutter mentality that plagues much of today’s music. As noted by Rhythm and Roots, "The collective talents of High Society added a level of heart-pumping energy and superb musicianship ... their infectious and tasteful blend of instruments emptied seats and had everyone up and dancing from the first note to the last!”

Charlottesville native Ralph Rush plays traditional and original finger-style acoustic and slide guitar. He learned his first guitar chords from his grandmother who played parlor guitar, a major influence on the Piedmont style of blues guitar. He has also lived in and around New York City, where he studied at Fretted Instruments School of Folk Music in Greenwich Village.

Rush has performed with “Queen of the Blues” Victoria Spivey, Tom Chapin, and Pete Seeger, among others. He produced and is featured on the CD Hooktown Blues, an anthology of Charlottesville musicians that includes Corey Harris. His new release, Ragged & Dirty, is due in November.

Tickets for Peyton Tochterman and High Society with special guest Shannon Worrel on October 12 are $19.50. Ralph Rush’s pre-performance music will begin at approximately 7:15 on October 4, and is free to ticket holders of the associated event with Dr. Maya Angelou.

Tickets for both evenings are currently on sale online.
Group and student rush discounts are available.

To learn more about Peyton Tochterman and High Society, please visit www.peytontochterman.com.