CAC Features Spring Concerts Starting Saturday

The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County is pleased to present its 2013 Spring Concerts on the Plaza at the O’Neal Plaza in historic downtown Douglasville, showcasing Harold Shulz’s tribute to the Young Elvis on May 11; and blues, jazz and rhythm and blues performed by Frankie’s Blues Mission on Saturday, May 25. All evening performances begin at 7 p.m. These special outdoor events are free and open to the general public. Listeners are reminded to bring their own chairs.

Saturday, May 11, Harold Shulz offers his “Young Elvis” tribute, performing early Presley classics on vintage instruments. The Blue Suedes’ rockabilly show highlights the talents of guitarist Randy LeRocque who has played with BB King, Muddy Waters, Chick Willis, The Drifters and The Coasters; drummer Steve Cohen who has performed with Bob Dylan, The Loving Spoonfuls, Paul Butterfield and Peter Tork; and bass player Dave Beck who regularly plays jazz and blues around Atlanta when he is not working with  vocalist Shulz.  Their genuine sound is a result of both fine musicianship and their authentic 1950s instruments and sound equipment including a 1956 Gibson hollow body electric guitar, 1932 Kay bass and 1958 Gretsch drums.  The play list includes “All Shook Up,” “Blueberry Hill,” “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog,” Jailhouse Rock,” “Maybelline,” “Blue Moon,” and “ Heartbreak Hotel.”  Officially endorsed by Elvis Presley's stepbrother Rick Stanley, this Elvis tribute show has appeared on on NBC TV's 'Americas Got Talent,' CNN Headline News, The Fox News Channel, and ABC TV's "THE NEXT BEST THING" as well as performing at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Virginia Beach Legends of Rock n' Roll Festival, Port Charlotte Cultural Center (FL), Sussex Performing Arts Center (NJ), and Desoto Theater in Rome (GA). 

On the final Saturday concert of the 2013 Spring Concerts on the Plaza series produced by the Cultural Arts Council, May 25, Frankie’s Blues Mission will perform its unique blend of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and zydeco.  Long a fixture on Atlanta’s blues scene, the Blues Mission now includes singer-guitarist Frank “Frankie Lee” Robinson, bassist Kermit Maxwell, and drummer Alfonso Largo has been together four years. Their first cd, “Sleepin’Dog,” has garnered raves from critics for the “emotive singing,” “Robinson’s shimmering guitar lines and his mates’ skin-tight backing,” and the “fresh sound firmly rooted in, but not bound by, local tradition.” Native to South Georgia, vocalist and guitar player Robinson has more than 20 years of experience performing regionally with and sharing the stage with blues and gospel performers such as Detroit Junior, “Chicago” Bob Nelson, Luther “Houserocker” Johnson, Chick Willis, saxophonist Sil Austin, Robin Brown, and many others. He also performs regularly as the resident guitarist for the Providence Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Ensemble in Atlanta. Frankie, an authentic and soulful blues player, draws from many influences. Bass guitarist Maxwell has been performing with Atlanta jazz, blues, gospel and roots music bands for more than a decade. This Atlanta native anchors the Blues Mission with his powerful and authentic rhythmic style on electric and upright bass. Drummer Largo, originally from New York where he began drumming when he was 14 years old, is a 25-year veteran former Marietta City fireman who has performed throughout the Southeast and provides the Blues Mission’s steady heartbeat. Frankie’s Blues Mission has performed in the Augusta Blues Festival, Chick Willis’ Mid-Georgia Blues Festival, and The Atlanta Montreux Festival.

These are outdoor concerts; in case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted on our web site, Facebook page & telephone.