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Carpenters tribute show at CLC

Rainy Days & Mondays 3In putting together the current Cultural Arts Series calendar, Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center Director Patrick Spradlin was offered something a little different. “Where we’ve had a pretty constant series of rock and roll shows, this event seemed to be the perfect counterbalance.” And so, ‘Rainy Days and Mondays: A Tribute to the Music of the Carpenters,’ will perform two shows on Friday, January 22 in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus of CLC. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Carpenters were the most popular recording artists of the 1970’s in the genres of soft rock, easy listening and adult contemporary music. During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a television series. Mega hits like ‘Close to You,’ ‘We’ve Only Just Begun,’ ‘Superstar,’ and ‘Please Mr. Postman’ are still enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.

Rainy Days and Mondays is a show that was put together by St. Cloud couple Boyd and Aimee Lee. The couple share a love for the Carpenters, and arrived at the idea for a tribute show, early in their relationship. As explained by Boyd: “It was actually our 3rd or 4th date. We were just hanging around at my place, making dinner, drinking some wine.  We sat in front of the TV and I put a DVD in the player.  I was nervous, because in my mind, if this didn’t go well, there might not be too much of a future here.  So, I press the play button and up comes “Close To You…Remembering The Carpenters.” The second it comes up on the screen Aimee practically screams “I love the Carpenters!!”  Well, that sealed the deal in my book and now we’re married and life is great!”

The two, who each have impressive credentials as musician/singers in the Midwest, shared the idea of a tribute show with several other musician/singer friends. The result was Rainy Days and Mondays, which has played to multiple sold-out audiences at venues like the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Pioneer Place, and the Paramount Arts Center.

As Boyd puts in, “So here we are today.  A very well oiled and polished production featuring all the classic hits made famous by these two incredibly gifted artists.  We’re very proud of this show and the stunning cast of musicians assembled who make it pure joy to perform it time and again.”

The Lees have performed with various tribute bands and other groups, including the Fabulous Armadillos and Rumours and Dreams. Aimee says that Karen Carpenter was a huge idol of hers. Aimee is an alto as well, and appreciates singing in that range. Or as she puts it, ‘being able to spend the whole night down there in the basement.”

The show features the Lees and eleven other singer musicians: Kathy Mueller, Lisa Pallin, and Wayne Cullinan on vocals; Billy Thommes on drums; Mark Mueller on keyboards; Jay Graph on electric guitar; Dik Shopteau on bass; Becky Gaunt and Cierra Hill on violins; Steve Wagner on trumpet; and Rick Manik on woodwinds.

“We scheduled the matinee performance to accommodate the wishes of our audience,” says Spradlin. “We’ve heard how much more convenient it is for some people to attend in the daylight hours during the winter months.”

Tickets for Rainy Days and Mondays are available from the CLC box office at 855-8199 or online at www.clcmn.edu/arts

The show is sponsored by Breen and Person, Ltd. The show is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Grant thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

About Jessie Perrine

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