thrill The Fray, Grammy Award® nominees with a Double Platinum album, Gold album, a top 10 hit and a top five hit performed at the Capitol Theatre for Friends of Music members in May. Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley
This season, Friends of Music kicked it up a notch with two FANTASTIC concerts this spring and a focus on making education opportunities possible with the Friends of Music Education Express. KID ROCK rocked The Capitol Theatre on April 1 with a full-blown rock show and showed members that he is a superstar performer moving from rap to country. Next up was The Fray on May 5 who performed a blend of new and old hits as well as surprised guests by showing up at the after party for Cinco de Mayo at the Harborview Center. What a treat! Two education opportunities were made possible by funds raised from the Friends of Music program this spring. In March, St. Petersburg College students were able to attend a Q&A event with the legendary Billy Joel at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. In May, 17 students from The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute were given the opportunity to attend a private rehearsal with Gavin DeGraw and take photos with him at the Springs Theatre in Tampa. Both of these opportunities were made possible due to our new Friends of Music Education Express, a van that provides the transportation for artists to be driven to places in our community or for students to be driven to where the artist will be performing. B2B Sign Resource (located at 32140 U.S. Highway 19 in Palm Harbor) sponsored the entire van wrap and helped make this idea come to fruition.
Kid Rock, five-time Grammy Award® nominee who has sold 11 million albums performed at the Capitol Theatre for Friends of Music members in April. Photo credit: Tracey May
Billy Joel, six-time Grammy Award® winner, 23-time Grammy Award® nominee with 33 top 40 hits who has sold over 150 million records headlined a Q&A session for St. Petersburg College students. Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley
The Fray, Grammy Award® nominees with a Double Platinum album, Gold album, a top 10 hit and a top five hit performed at the Capitol Theatre for Friends of Music members in May.
Thank you to everyone involved in making Friends of Music a success! Founding Friends of Music CJ and Dana Botsolas Michael and Roxanne Connor Randy and Ellen Crisorio Dan and Nicole Doyle Miguel and Arlene Fana Pit and Joy Gills Matthew and Kimberly Hoffman Jason Kuhn Michael and Lori Kosloske Cesar and Penelope Lara Jeffrey and Barbara McDonald Vincent and Natalie Monticciolo Gail and Robin Selby Barry and Kathryn Shevlin Jeffry Stern Chuck and Becky Sykes Friends of Music David and Jeanie Abelson Erik G. Abrahamson Rajesh and Ranjana Agrawal Alltrust Insurance Rob and Phyllis Audette Dan Balda Jennifer Barbaro and Todd Gould Steve and Marie Beaty Steven and Susan Benjamin Thilo and Betsy Best
Michael and Sheri Boesch Alison Boh Tom and Karen Boland Rob and Kathy Boos Ray and Niki Bouchard Bjorn and Denise Brunvand Nick and Monique Cambas Michael Cantonis Carmel Café & Wine Bar Peter and Jenny Chicouris Gary and Amy Connors Bryan and Mary Crino Eric and Amy Dann Rob and Jacqui DiMarco Dimmitt Family Sharon Ellis-Champagne* David and Tina Eyers Lisa Faller Billy Fernandez and Kerry Sullivan Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside John Geigle Kevin and Sue Geigle Bryan Glazer Dean and Diane Gobo Joe Goguen and Christy Lacy William Grob Steve and Taunya Haire Ken and Lisa Hamilton Bobby Harris Kevin and Angela Hawkins Stephen and Cynthia Heller
Kevin and Tammie Hourigan Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Steven and Wendy Ingram Robert and Karen Jackson John and Christina Kaddis David and Angela Katz Joseph and Anna Kokolakis Steven and Holly Kramer Michael and Eva Krutchik Carmine and Kristina LaCognata Chris and Angela LaFace Bradley and Audrey Leach Bruce and Sheba Lucas Nancy Lycan Steven and Lindsay MacDonald Brian and Laura Maiocco Bill and Kiki Mazas Darryl and Shannon Minardi Steven and Rochelle Mirabello Michael Ortoll Nick and Adriana Pappas Jason and Bonnie Patchen Steven and Haven Poirier Chris and Michelle Ponte Michael Preston and Geri Pearsall Mark and Carol-Lynn Roman Adam and Deirdre Rosen Carey and Pamela Rowan
Amory and Dessi Sanders Bob and Kelly Schmidt Eric and Barbara Schmitz Vick and Sharmila Seth Bob and Cathy Smith Tom and Sharon Streng John and Wendy Thomas Peter and Deanne Thorp Rick and Lori Toenjes Joe Trepani Bryan and Janet Truex Christopher and Georgette Tsavoussis George and Shaun Vaka Deven Werling and Heather Willard Gene and Brenda Whitehead Greg and Sandra Willsey Douglas and Lisa Wycoff*
Gavin DeGraw, with the Rhythm & Sole Tap Ensemble from The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall, sold over one million copies of his first album. His second album opened in the top 10. This summer he is touring with Colbie Caillat.
*Member of new level of Friends of Music – Friends Plus! Ferdinands Glenn and Leah Bergoffen Rick and Karen Bouchard George and Maria Cantonis James and Allie Cantonis John and Marilyn Connelly Dan and Roz Doyle George and Lisa Etheridge George and Nancy Mariani As of May 1, 2012
Friends of Music Education Express made possible by Friends of Music members’ support debuted at the Billy Joel event.
For membership information, call 727.712.2720 or visit www.RuthEckerdHall.com
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