Artists

2013 Summer Concerts at the Tanner

Concerts are held in the stunning 2000-seat outdoor amphitheater in the shadows of Zion National Park Cliffs.

Concerts begin at 8:00 and tickets are $10 each – available at the door – www.dixie.edu/tanner

May 18 - Southwest Symphony Orchestra

A perennial favorite, Southern Utah's own symphony opens the season with a festival of musical favorites - Broadway, Pops and Patriotic. Join us at 6:00 for a Chuck-wagon dinner. This dynamic and popular symphony has a mission is to foster excellence and originality in the presentation and performance of great music and to enhance the lives of their audiences. They are the cultural heart of an expanding arts mecca in the Southwest with a reputation for excellence.

Maestro Gary Caldwell has been with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra since its inception in 1980. He began as principal trumpet and was also one of the orchestra's first soloists, performing Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. He was appointed conductor in 1989. Maestro Caldwell has overseen the growth of the Southwest Symphony for twenty-four years now. Through that span, the orchestra has developed into the premiere symphony orchestra in southern Utah, having performed hundreds of concerts featuring the great orchestral works of all style periods and working with numerous world-class soloists. Maestro Caldwell credits his success to the many fine teachers, performers, students and conductors who have influenced him over the yeas and recognizes the immense contributions of the Southwest Symphony players and board of directors. Maestro Caldwell has been on the music faculty at Dixie State College since 1979 where he has taught music theory, conducting and trumpet and has directed numerous ensembles, including the Symphony Band and Theater Orchestra among others. He is called upon to work with many high school bands and honor bands, and to adjudicate various music festivals. Maestro Caldwell considers learning to be life long and continues to seek knowledge and experience that will enhance the musical progress of the Southwest Symphony. Maestro Caldwell is dedicated to consistently achieving the highest excellence in music performance.

Southwest Symphony Orchestra

Sat. June 1 - The Randy Anderson Band

Celebrate the silver anniversary of the Randy Anderson Band at the Tanner! This is the best of summer fun with the hugely popular entertaining, energetic and swinging show. There is dancing in the pit, food, entertainment and music all evening. Summer concerts do not get any better! The nights are cool, the scenery can't be beat and Randy is back!

It is said that one of the best ways to forget about your troubles is to let go and line dance - expressly to music by Randy. Good advice for many Anderson fans who two-step every chance they get and whose lives have turned around. The band plays and sings country-western with an easy swing and an irresistible toe-tappin' rhythm. Fans are invited to dance the night away or to sit back and relish the music of the evening under the stars. The band plays some traditional and sensitive love songs such as "Every Time It Rains," Daddy, I Love you," and "Hey, Good Lookin'". Humor is always a part of the evening with such songs as "Five Guys Names Moe," of Hillbilly Rock. Band members blend in unity and harmony and are excellent soloist as well. Start time for this concert only is 7:30 pm.

The Randy Anderson Band

Sat. June 15 - Sing To Live Choir

An emotional tribute to artists who sing from the heart even while recovering from life-threatening illness. A community of survivors, a community of family, who Sing2Live will be performing the show of a lifetime on the Tanner stage. The Live2Sing Choir was created September of 2012 and has 30 members, all of whom have been directly affected by cancer and the choir members have become become a support group for those who are suffering from the effects of cancer.

The benefits from singing while in treatment for cancer and other diseases has been long heralded, and more recently identified as a healing balm in the medical world. The choir wants to bring this message to the masses, in a joyous choir of voices, singing songs of hope, love and faith. A show not to be missed that will bring a tear to your eye, and a new-found spark for life to your heart.

Sat. June 29 - Eric Dodge and the John Houston Gospel Choir

A high-voltage, modern country music show combined with several numbers from the John Houston Gospel Choir. An evening of super-charged music and total inspiration. Eric Dodge's albums are making waves in the country music world! His album Why Not Today became a huge international success and has sold all over the world in over 15 countries and even topped the Amazon.com best selling albums list. Eric has also been featured in Country Weekly magazine, KUTV 2 News at Noon, and Good Things Utah, several times. Eric has released six albums and has performed across the United States and Canada. In 2012 he was accepted into the Country Music association, the (CMA). He's also shared the stage with many of country music's biggest names, some of which include, Julianne Hough, SheDaisy, John Michael Montgomery, Justin Moore, Collin Raye, Chris Ledoux, Diamond Rio, Terri Clark, Travis Tritt, and Carrie Underwood in front of over 50,000 people!

John Houston has become a household name in Southern Utah, and his reputation for being one of the best musicians around is well-deserved. Houston's gospel singing career was cut short by the tragic death of his daughter Mechelle, and he packed his bags and said goodbye to Las Vegas; but the seed was planted. A couple of years later, he woke up with a song in his head - one that he couldn't stop playing. It was the beginnings of his first original gospel song, "Feast Upon the Words," inspired by his mother's relentless encouragement for him to drop the rock music and write a hymn. He swore he could never write church music, but his love for the Lord brought him to his knees and a moving, powerhouse gospel song was born.

Born from his beginnings singing with Gladys Knight, Houston's dream of directing his own gospel choir finally materialized in February of this year, when a group of talented women came together to sing behind him. The "Ladies in Black" include Britta Nielson, Sesha Lundell, Katy Taylor, Amy Leany, Christine Workman, Amanda Hendrickson, Laura LeBaron, Bonnie LaBaron, Lauretta Swansborough, Cathy Jones, Laura Lounsbury, Alice Ericksen and Kourtney Scow, with more to come. Rounding out the ensemble is a trio of all-star musicians with Matt Fitzell on bass, Rich Robbins on guitar and Dutch Workman on drums.

Eric Dodge and the John Houston Gospel Choir

Sat. July 13 - Most Wanted

Country, disco, classic rock and everything in between. Michale Griffin, guitars, Phil Moore, bass, Leslie Adams, fiddle; and Derrek Adams percussion - experience, talent and fun combine for a concert not to miss

Toby Keith, Fleetwood Mac, Gary Allen, Eric Clapton and 3 Doors Down all on one stage? Could be a tight fit. But not for local cover band Most Wanted. They'll squeeze in hits from each of these artists and many more when they appear on the Summer Concert Series at the Tanner Amphitheater. "We pride ourselves on being as versatile as possible," said Derrek Adams of the group's play list. It's usually about half country and half rock. And depending on the audience, they sometimes mix in a little jazz, a little disco and some oldies -- anything that makes people want to get up and move. If it's not danceable, it doesn't belong on our set list," Adams said.

As a cover band, Most Wanted doesn't perform any of their own music -- a style they've been criticized for by other members of the industry. But for Adams, music is a business like anything else and you have to do what the public likes, can dance do and hum to. Cranking out tunes at clubs, bars and other venues in Nevada, Arizona and Utah, the four members of Most Wanted are booked pretty tight -- traveling most weekends and holding down day jobs in their spare time.

"I'm going all the time," said bass player Phil Moore. As a science teacher at Hurricane High School, Moore tries to balance his musical interests with teaching. Although it can be a little rough, he prefers it that way. "I like having both. They're opposite things so I don't get tired of one thing," he said. "I don't think I'd like playing music full time."

Most Wanted

Sat. July 27 - David Correa & Cascada

A concert featuring Latin Guitar and World Music. Cascada is the Spanish word for cascade or waterfall and the mesmerizing sounds of this ensemble will invoke emotions of peace and tranquility.

Since 1999 this Latin Guitar World Fusion band from the San Francisco Bay Area has built a substantial fan base entertaining fans in every corner of the Bay Area. Keeping true to Latin and Spanish guitar techniques David's music continues to be an original new sound. David's Spanish Guitar music combines Latin folk and Rumba rhythms fused with middle eastern melodies, creating a distinctive style.

David Correa and Cascada have been entertaining with their passionate and distinctive blend of instrumental Latin Guitar World Music. Blending Spanish guitar with Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms from Mexico & Central America and a hint of middle-eastern influenced melodies.

They have toured throughout the west coast, northwest and southwest regions and have won numerous accolades and awards. Including 3 NORBAY awards for "Best Latin Band" in the San Francisco North Bay area three years in a row from 2005 through 2007. Signed to prestigious Baja/TSR Records in '06 and releasing "Rumba de la Selva" in 2007. In 2008 "Gypsy Spice" Best of New Flamenco was released and featured the track "Linda" from "Rumba de la Selva" along side artists such as Ottmar Liebert, Jesse Cook, Armik, Young & Rollins, Luis Villegas, Behzad, Govi and Benise.

Between 1999 and 2003 Correa released three independent CD's: "Cascada" in 1999 (Zocalo Records); "Alas del Viento" in 2001 (Zocalo Records) and "Incidents of Travel" in 2003 (Zocalo Records.) In 2009 "Best of CASCADA 1999-2009" was released on Zocalo Records and features 10 tracks from the past four recordings (Cascada, Alas del Viento, Incidents of Travel & Rumba de la Selva). David Correa's 5th CD "Eterna Primavera" was released on August 9th, 2011.

On April 16, 2013 "Guitar Greats III" - The Best of New Flamenco was released on Baja/TSR Records. This cd compilation features one of David Correa's tracks called "Amistad" alongside artist such as Jesse Cook, Luis Villegas, Johannes Linstead, Incendio, Armik, Govi, Oscar Lopez and many others.

David Correa & Cascada

Sat. August 10 - Reid Family Band

The Reid Family has been playing in Southern Utah for over 17 years with a lot of Old Time Rock and Roll and Classic Country songs, intermingled with lots of very familiar cover songs that everyone recognizes and enjoys. They perform upbeat rock songs, as well as many mellow country and love songs. This popular band performs throughout Southern Utah from festivals to weddings with a focus on harmony with entertaining instrumental solos, driving rhythms, and a beat that makes for great dancing!

Reid Family Band

Sat. August 24 - Mikalene

Singer-songwriter Mikalene makes an exciting finale for the Tanner Summer schedule. Her lyrics resonate with everyone who has experienced struggles with disappointment, heartache and unresolved goals. Her clear, melodic voice reminds the listener of Allison Krauss, Miranda Lambert or Trisha Yearwood. Mikalene has been performing professionally since age 13 and has recently released a new CD Pixie Dust. "I've been surprised more than once, listening to a locally made album featuring local talent, to find something so good and worth listening to that, after I've finished reviewing it, I end up happily adding it to my own collection to listen to again and again. Well, color me surprised once more with Mikalene." Wrote Tami Cox of the Independent Magazine.

Mikalene