Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute May 22, 2006

Bob Dylan turns 65 on May 24th and the Institute of Musical Traditions is paying tribute with an evening of his music performed by a variety of the region's best artists.

EVENT: IMT SEASON FINALE: ?DYLAN 65 - A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE?

DATE: MONDAY, May 22, 2006

ARTISTS: Billy Coulter (host/performer), Lisa Moscatiello, Brian Simms (Junkyard Saints), Robert Lighthouse, Verlette Simon (Soul Folk), Cletus Kennelly w/Lori Kelley and featuring band of roots music veterans Robbie Magruder on drums, Greg Hardin on bass, and Tommy Derr on lead guitar.

VENUE ADDRESS: Institute of Musical Traditions at
St. Mark Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD 20852

SHOW TIME: 7:30 PM

TICKETS: $15 Advance/$20 Door

VENUE INFORMATION: 301.754.3611

WEB SITE: www.imtfolk.org

?Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.?
?Bob Dylan, My Back Pages

The Institute of Musical Traditions closes its 20th season of concerts with a birthday tribute to one of world?s best-known singer/songwriters. Although Bob Dylan won't be there, his influence will... His impact on popular culture is far-reaching and this unique lineup of performers reflects the breadth of his timeless contributions to American music.

Award-winning singer/songwriter Billy Coulter, who will emcee and perform, collaborated with IMT to put together an homage that will surely be a memorable season finale. The concert will showcase artists from the folk, blues and roots music scenes with each playing several Dylan compositions that are among their favorites (and most likely yours too). ?Washington?s music community is so diverse that Bob Dylan?s work was the ideal platform to gather all these distinctive talents together on one stage? says Coulter.

Much like Dylan's music career, this concert will present acoustic solo performances in the first part. The second set features three additional artists backed-up by an electric band of roots music veterans.

Lisa Moscatiello?s angelic voice brings warmth and depth to Dylan?s classic compositions; Brian Simms contributes some New Orleans spice; Robert Lighthouse digs into his blues heritage; Verlette Simon delivers the soulfulness behind his lyrics; Cletus Kennelly provides a melodic, contemporary folk re-telling; and roots-rocker Billy Coulter brings his energy and passion to the show.

The Institute of Musical Traditions is a nonprofit (501) (c) (3) organization, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional music and folk arts. While promoting the work of internationally renowned artists, IMT also supports the "emerging artist" community in metropolitan Washington.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTISTS (in alphabetical order):

Billy Coulter (event coordinator, host and performer) is an award winning singer/songwriter who has also received multiple Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) nominations in the short time since his return to performing. His brand of roots-pop is as familiar as classic rock but is refreshingly new. He, of course, counts Bob Dylan among his influences.

Cletus Kennelly (w/Lori Kelley) is a six-time Wammie-winner who brings his passionate vocals, percussive playing style, and powerful yet delicate 12-string guitar to his songs, which have garnered him 30 songwriting awards and 18 Wammie nominations. He has a way of connecting to the audience directly, and the rich quality of his voice is so effective, he doesn't need a band behind him.

Robert Lighthouse delivers a solo performance, playing harp and guitar, that will astonish blues purists and even get a crowd up to dance. He has developed a signature sound that mixes traditional Memphis and Chicago styles. Although he?s originally from Sweden, Lighthouse plays Delta blues like the old masters.

Lisa Moscatiello has earned about two dozen Wammie awards during her career. Billboard noted she has "one of the most gorgeous vocal instruments in all of folk-tinged pop.? ?Like a lot of contemporary singer-songwriters, [she] draws on a wide variety of influences -- folk, pop, rock, R&B, jazz, even opera. But unlike many of her peers, she never sounds as if she's merely indulging a whim.? ?The Washington Post

Brian Simms bandleader, lead vocalist, keyboard and accordion player for the Junkyard Saints, spent part of the ?90s touring and recording with Rounder recording artists Disappear Fear. He has also performed and recorded with Indigo Girls, Lisa Cerbone, Love Riot and Rachel Cross. In addition writing and producing for Junkyard Saints, Brian has performed with and produced many award-winning Baltimore/DC area artists.

Verlette Simon, an artist with a unique combination of Soul, Jazz, Folk, Gospel and R&B, doesn't just cherry pick bits from these genres, but manages to remain true to the roots of each while blending them seamlessly. By highlighting the original simplicity of each genre, she points eloquently to the fact that they all have the same origin, purpose, and musical seed. Add to that a rich versatile alto, plus heart-on-the-table original songs, and you've got a potent brew of modern expressionism that embraces its age-old roots."

The house band feature roots music veterans Robbie Magruder (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Thrillbillys) on drums, Greg Hardin (Ruthie & The Wranglers) on bass, and Tommy Derr (Billy Coulter Band) on lead guitar.

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Official Website: http://www.imtfolk.org