The Southern Troubadours, a trio of artists whose roots are in rural Texas and Tupelo, Mississippi, will perform Sunday, April 3 at 8 p.m. in the historic Southern Theatre. The group combines the gritty country, soulful blues and roots rock that each of the three bring to the table for a fiery, synergetic music experience.
Grammy winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe Ely, multiple Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster and singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Thorn are chart-toppers in their own rights. On April 3 they will share the stage at the Southern Theatre for a night of song swapping and Southern tale telling.
Ely’s songs evoke the vast spaces of his native Texas. Songs like “Panhandle Rambler,” which calls upon the terrain of the country terrain and the vibrant people it produces and “Here’s to the Weary,” which pays homage to many musical greats — Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others — are crooning love songs to Ely’s country roots.
Foster’s modest beginning in a Texas church choir was the start of a career driven by her astonishing voice, which has drawn comparisons to the ranks of Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitgerald. Foster has 2009 and 2012 Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Album, along with a host of other awards.
Thorn, whose father was a preacher, attended many different churches growing up. He draws inspiration from the way some churches sang gospel as country music and some sang gospel as rhythm and blues. Thorn combines these sounds with formidable guitar skills for his own brand of roots rock.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at the CAPA ticket center at 39 E. State St., by calling (614) 469-0939, visiting Ticketmaster or at any Ticketmaster location.
For more information, visit CAPA.
Jessica Williams is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.