News

New Video, Pop-Up Shows, SXSW

Hi Friends and Fans,

Things are really beginning to gear up here in 2013. Most immediately, we’re heading out to the “in-famous” (quote: Three Amigos) SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. But, we can’t just go from 0 to 60 in a day. So, we’ve booked a few tiny “pop-up shows” THIS WEEK around Kentucky to warm-up for the event. These mini-concerts will feature a lot of the music from the latest record, Half-Made Man, with my trusty musical companion, the eight-armed Jordon Ellis on percussion. I know it’s last minute, but if you can make it, these will be a lot of fun. Here’s the scoop:

PopUpShows

Looking back for a moment, thanks to everyone who attended December’s show at the Lexington Opera House. Your support helped to generate nearly $10,000 in donations to Institute 193 so they can keep doing their good work in Kentucky. Remember that night? A packed house, massive shadow puppets, the stunning Anna + Elizabeth, etc… Well, if your memory is a little foggy or you weren’t able to be there, check out this beautiful video by Institute 193 documenting the show.

 

INSTITUTE 193 PRESENTS BEN SOLLEE from Institute 193 on Vimeo.

In other news, I’m thrilled to be heading out in support of Over the Rhine in April. If you live in the eastern side of the country we’re probably coming somewhere near you. Check out the tour dates on the website. There you can also get info on all the upcoming events this spring and summer.

As always, I’m so grateful for your support and enthusiasm… you’re the best!

Ben

 

Southern Storytellers: the Kentucky version!

Grocery On Home Presents: Southern Storytellers, live from Eddie’s Attic: Featuring Ben Sollee and Ed McClanahan with very special guests, The Skipperdees

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Join two of Kentucky’s finest on Sunday February 10th at Eddie’s Attic (Decatur, GA) for this special, intimate performance.  Ben will be performing solo and complimenting Ed McClanahan’s storytelling. There is no telling how this unique performance will evolve, so you will want to see it for yourself!

Sunday, February 10th
7:00pm / doors at 6:00pm
Advance general admission: $20
At the door: $25
Table of 4 reserved seats: $100
BUY TICKETS
 

Ed McClanahan is a native of Brooksville, KY, born in 1932. A graduate of Miami (Ohio) University (AB, 1955) and the University of Kentucky (MA, 1958), he has taught English and creative writing at Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Montana, the University of Kentucky, and Northern Kentucky University. His books include THE NATURAL MAN (a novel), FAMOUS PEOPLE I HAVE KNOWN (a serio-comic autobiography), A CONGRESS OF WONDERS (three novellas), and MY VITA, IF YOU WILL (a miscellany of previously uncollected fiction, non-fiction, reviews, and commentary). The first two books were published by Farrar Straus & Giroux (1983 and 1985, respectively), the latter two by Counterpoint Press (1996 and 1998). NATURAL MAN has been reprinted by Gnomon Press (Frankfort, KY), and FAMOUS PEOPLE has been reprinted by the University Press of Kentucky; both are also available from Books on Tape. In 2002, Larkspur Press (Monterey, KY) published McClanahan’s memoir, FONDELLE: or THE WHORE WITH A HEART OF GOLD, in a limited edition. O THE CLEAR MOMENT, his “implied autobiography,” was published by Counterpoint in 2008. His latest book is I JUST HITCHED IN FROM THE COAST: THE ED MCCLANAHAN READER (Counterpoint 2011), a collection of 14 stories.

McClanahan is the editor of SPIT IN THE OCEAN #7: ALL ABOUT KESEY (Viking-Penguin, 2003), a tribute issue of the late Ken Kesey’s self- published magazine, and he contributed an introduction to KESEY’S JAIL JOURNAL (Viking-Penguin, 2003), a volume featuring Kesey’s art work.

The title story of A CONGRESS OF WONDERS was made into a prize-winning short film in 1993, and in 1994 McClanahan was the subject of an hour-long documentary on Kentucky Educational Television. His work has appeared in many magazines, including ESQUIRE, ROLLING STONE, and PLAYBOY, and twice won PLAYBOY’s Best Non-Fiction awards. He has also been awarded a Wallace Stegner Fellowship, two Yaddo Fellowships, and an Al Smith Fellowship.

He lives with his wife Hilda in Lexington, KY, and is working on a latter-day sequel to NATURAL MAN, titled THE RETURN OF THE SON OF NEEDMORE.

 

Ben Sollee to play a hometown benefit show!

Institute 193 presents Ben Sollee at Lexington Opera House Dec 19

Institute 193 is proud to present the Kentucky cellist and singer Ben Sollee in concert at the Lexington Opera House on December 19, 2012 at 8 PM. All proceeds from the performance will go to further the mission of Institute 193: advancing the careers of contemporary Southern artists and enriching the cultural landscape of central Kentucky.

Institute 193 was founded in 2009. Since then, it has staged 17 exhibitions in its Lexington, KY gallery space and produced 9 publications. Institute 193 has also organized exhibitions by innovative Southern artists in Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; and Paris, France.

“I’m so proud to be a Kentuckian and feel so grateful to get to work with Institute 193 to continually showcase the very best of what this state has to offer in the arts,” says Sollee. “Institute 193 is serving as an antenna to the rest of the world for access to great contemporary art from the south.”

A classically trained cellist and accomplished vocalist, Sollee’s music has been featured on CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe. Sollee has also gained a reputation for social engagement: touring by bicycle, raising awareness about mountain top removal coal mining in Appalachia, and engaging with local organizations, such as Institute 193. This concert celebrates the release of Sollee’s new record, Half-Made Man, and will be Sollee’s homecoming performance in a nationwide tour.

Folk singers Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle will open for Sollee and his band.

New tour dates just added!

 

Ben is excited to announce a few new tour dates! Looking for a fun gift to give to a loved one in December? How about a ticket to a show?! Ben will be supporting the talented duo of Over The Rhine on Dec. 13 (Ann Arbor), Dec. 14 (Columbus, OH) and Dec. 15 (Kent, OH).

Then, on Dec. 19, Ben will be playing a homecoming show in Lexington, KY at the Lexington Opera House. This is a show to benefit an organization close to Ben’s heart, Institute 193. All proceeds from the special event will go to further the mission of Institute 193: advancing the careers of contemporary Southern artists and enriching the cultural landscape of central Kentucky.

Lastly, on April 20, 2013, Ben will be closing out the Lincoln Center Songbook Series in New York City. Tickets are already on sale, so we don’t want anyone to miss out! Thanks for being awesome fans and making every show special!

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