You may be “Crying” if you miss the concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, presented by the Springfield Arts Council.
Benjamin Hale, the show’s co-producer and Orbison, is no stranger to the pioneers of early rock and roll. Local audiences may remember his portrayal of Johnny Cash in last year’s “Presley, Perkins, Lewis and Cash: A Night to Remember.”
Hale discovered a segment of a 1960s TV show that saw Orbison being backed up by the Everly Brothers and the inspiration struck.
It wasn’t the first time those legends’ paths crossed. Hale said Orbison wrote his hit tune “Only the Lonely” with the Everly Brothers in mind, but they rejected it.
“It’s amazing how similar their (music) catalogs are,” said Hale.
Hale worked to capture Orbison’s unique vocal style and appreciates how Orbison would turn his pain into art after suffering several tragedies including the death of a wife and two children.
He then set out to try to find two brothers who captured the Everly harmonies and blended well together. They not only had numerous number one hits, but influenced another pretty popular duo – Simon and Garfunkle.
Hale found his Everlys in real-life brothers Alex and Nic Chamberlain.
“They have a real Smothers Brothers quality about them, joking and making the audience part of the show,” Hale said. “We’ll also give the history of the songs as we go along.”
Add in a tight band and it’s like a jukebox come to life.
The performers will play solo and together, with the others’ doing backup, even throwing in a Chuck Berry song as a nod to the era.
“It’s such a walk down memory lane for some and for others they’ll come away singing the songs,” Hale said. “The music is haunting; it stays with you.”
HOW TO GO
What: Orbison and the Everly Brothers Reimagined
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 South Fountain Ave. Springfield
When: Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m.
Admission: $57, 52, 42, 32
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to www.springfieldartscouncil.org
About the Author