Presented by Formula Expo: Live at ACL Moody Theater June 16th
Band Of The Year 2012 is set to become the premier US competitive event for bands of all genres, providing them the opportunity to promote their music, reach new fans, and be recognized by a select international panel of judges from across the entertainment industry. Thirty-two bands will perform live in qualifying events in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston with the top six bands performing at Austin City Limits Live at the historic Moody Theater in Austin, Texas on Saturday June 16 alongside our guest artists including Patrice Pike, Guy Forsyth, Ginger Leigh, John Pointer, and Wendy Colonna.
Learn more about the Band of the Year 2012 competition here.
Austin is known for its massive pool of musical talent. At the top of its list of amazing performers are Guy Forsyth, Wendy Colonna, John Pointer, Ginger Leigh, and Patrice Pike. Coming together in the style of a rotating-cast review, these uniquely different and incredibly strong artists will be backed by one stellar band, featuring Nina Singh on drums, Jeff Botta on bass, and Stewart Cochran on keys.
Patrice Pike has a full career history from being the lead singer in Arista records Billboard top hit band, Sister 7, to independently releasing four acclaimed solo records, showcasing her socially astute, literate lyrics alongside her powerful vocals. She has toured relentlessly, both in the U.S. and overseas, building an impressive grassroots fan base. She has co-created numerous records and musical groups, toured all over the United States and Western Europe and just plain impressed those who’ve seen, heard and watched her. The resilient Pike has been able to adapt repeatedly to a rapidly changing music landscape that bears no resemblance to the one she entered as a 16 year old. Patrice was the youngest musician inducted into the Austin/Texas Music Hall of Fame. Along with that honor she was also named Musician of the Year, Best Female Vocalist, and Song of the year in Austin for her song Beautiful Thing.
Wendy Colonna is a Louisiana girl transplanted to Austin with a blend of Cajun and Italian ancestry; a perfectly sexy combo that translates well in her music. A young woman who has decidedly come into her own, the dark-eyed Colonna fills her musical space with a throaty voice, deep-down retro roots and soul. April 24th, 2012 is proclaimed “Wendy Colonna Day” in Austin by the city’s mayor. Not only is she a powerful musician, but also an award-winning artist from 2101 NACA National Showcasing Artist to “Best Singer Songwriter” in the Austin American Statesmen, amongst many other honors.
Ginger Leigh is known around the world for bringing Austin musicians together on stage. A community-driven approach to music, Leigh understands the value of entertainment. Having been raised in the 5th generation of professional musicians in her Texas-based family, she brings musical history and on-stage antics to life with every performance. Ginger’s unique style is sultry, sassy, full of humor, wit, and wisdom. She draws the audience in with a charismatic embrace. Her highly energetic, visually stunning performances are not confined to one genre, rather crossing over, and she makes each performance her own, leaving the audience knowing that what they received will never be repeated. Ginger Leigh has released 8 CDs since 1996, and has dazzled thousands of audiences around the world with her live performances.
John Pointer is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, composer and performer. Known for his cross-pollination of genres and use of standard instruments in non-standard ways. His performances are part music, part magic, completely connected and impossible to forget. There are few musicians who can use his entire body as an instrument they way John Pointer uses his. A highly talented, multi-tasking, hard-working musician, John brings rhythm and melody together with unique force.
Guy Forsyth has long enjoyed praise for his dazzling live shows and rich Americana roots sound. Forsyth (vocals, acoustic, electric & slide guitar, harmonica, ukulele, singing saw) incorporates a unique mixture of styles and his sound is at once polished, raw, compelling and irresistibly rump-shaking. Guy is known today as a musician with gripping, powerful vocals as well as a master of numerous instruments. He started his musical development first with singing, and began playing harmonica at 16. Since then, he’s been awarded an Austin Music Award for Best Male Vocalist in 2005, as well as numerous other AMA’s over the years in categories such as Blues and Best Miscellaneous Instrument Player (singing saw), among others. Last year’s 2-disc live record, Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana, was received very well by critics and fans alike.
The early part of the evening begins at 7:30 with the finalist competition for “Band of the Year”, followed by this incredible Austin A-list line-up! Together on stage in Austin at ACL Moody Theater on June 16th, Guy Forsyth, John Pointer, Patrice Pike, Wendy Colonna and Ginger Leigh will offer a power-packed, high-energy, magical cocktail of Austin’s musical prowess and style! GET TICKETS HERE!
http://www.guyforsyth.com
http://www.johnpointer.com
http://www.gleigh.com
http://www.wendycolonna.com
http://www.patricepike.com
Host Sponsor: Art and Music
Portion of the proceeds benefit Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
