Country's Family Reunion - ON SALE NOW!

The University of Illinois Springfield – Sangamon Auditorium will be the setting for a live theatre presentation on September 17 utilizing the format of the highly-rated RFD-TV program known as “Country’s Family Reunion.” Show host Bill Anderson will be joined by Grand Ole Opry stars Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius and Mary Lou Turner.

The stage set for this show appears to be someone’s living room, with all the artists sharing personal stories and singing their hits, backed by Bill Anderson’s PO Folks Band. All the artists stay on stage together in this informal setting throughout the show, often joining in on each other’s songs. Some of the audience members will get an opportunity to participate with questions for the stars to answer. This two-hour presentation is designed as a live show and will not be taped for television.

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson serves as host of the show, just as he does on the TV program. “My job is to ask the right questions and get the best stories from my friends on stage,” said Anderson. “And, of course, we always enjoy singing our hits.”

“We have had numerous requests from fans to bring this show out on the road,” said Larry Black, creator and producer of Country’s Family Reunion, “We are happy that we have such an ideal venue in Springfield at Sangamon Auditorium. It is such an intimate setting with seating so close to the stage. The audience will feel very much a part of the reunion with these wonderful artists.”

“The final decision to tour a live show version of CFR in venues throughout the country was reached this past November,” states veteran promoter Joe Sullivan, “after a test run in Branson proved to be hugely successful at RFD-TV the Theatre. We had two sold-out shows with 4,000 fans coming from as far away as Oregon, Vermont, Florida, California and numerous places in between.”

The Country’s Family Reunion television program can be seen on RFD-TV at 7:00 p.m. Central Time every Friday evening. RFD-TV is a national tour sponsor for Country’s Family Reunion Road Show.

Country’s Family Reunion Road Show is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2010, one show only at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Prices range from $32.00 to $47.00 and are available at www.SangamonAuditorium.org or call the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office at 217-206-6160 or 800-207-6960.

Former ‘Idol’ Hicks just happy to be a working musician

Remember Taylor Hicks, the season-five winner of “American Idol”? You know, the one with the gray hair?

Right, that guy. Because he never achieved the mega-stardom some of his fellow former "Idols" have, you might be tempted to lump him in with the Where Are They Now set, but that would be unfair and — more importantly — just plain wrong.

. . .

Article by Brian Mackey
The State Journal-Register

Click here to read the full article


Get your tickets for Taylor Hicks' performance at Sangamon Auditorium on Tuesday, August 10. Call 217.206.6160 or visit www.sangamonauditorium.org.

Just Announced - Taylor Hicks coming to Sangamon Auditorium

The University of Illinois Springfield – Sangamon Auditorium has announced that Taylor Hicks, fifth-season winner of American Idol will perform in concert on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for Friends of Sangamon Auditorium and will go on sale to the general public, Monday, July 12, 2010 at 10 a.m.

Alabama’s favorite son continues to be in “The Right Place” since becoming the fifth-season winner of American Idol. During the last two years, Taylor Hicks has seen his Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Allman Brothers and Willie Nelson, toured through Asia, penned a brisk-selling Random House memoir, and made his Broadway debut in Grease.

Taylor released his latest album titled "The Distance" in March of 2009, and is supported by the single, "Seven Mile Breakdown." Along with the album, his own DVD was just released. Whomp at the Warfield, offers fans exhilarating live performances by Taylor and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.

Tickets for this event are $32, 27, 22 and go on sale to the general public, Monday, July 12, 2010 at 10 a.m. To order tickets visit www.SangamonAuditorium.org or call the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office at (217) 206-6160 or toll free at 800-207-6960. Tickets can also be purchased in-person at the Ticket Office, which is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

2010-2011 Season Announcement!

Sangamon Auditorium is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 Performing Arts season - featuring a mix of folk & blues music, family friendly shows, world dance, the best of Broadway, and more.

Read the article from the State Journal-Register.

Visit the SJ-R Off the Clock blog for more information about the season, including video clips and ticket prices.

Lily Tomlin at UIS: Sweet, affable and wearing the wrong pants

Perhaps the biggest laughs at Lily Tomlin’s performance Sunday (June 13) at Sangamon Auditorium came toward the end of the show when she portrayed the astringent, snorting Ernestine character (right).

Ernestine, a favorite on the old TV show “Laugh-In,” is no longer bullying customers at the telephone company.

“I gave the best years of my life to AT&T,” she said. “When it broke up, so did I.”

Now Ernestine is bullying customers as an employee of a health insurance company, taking delight in denying claims. “Your health is our business, not our concern,” she said.

. . .

article by Kathryn Rem
sj-r.com, Off the Clock blog
Read the article

UIS Broadway Series

Sangamon Auditorium, UIS is excited and proud to announce the 2010 - 2011 UIS Broadway Series:

UIS Broadway Series subscription information will be made available shortly. For series subscription or UIS Broadway Series questions call the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office at

217.206.6160 or 800. 207.6960

Click for more information.

That ’70s Show: Doobie Brothers to play Sangamon Auditorium tonight

The Doobie Brothers’ total worth is greater than the sum of the band’s parts.

The group, which performs tonight at Sangamon Auditorium, has had sounds ranging from laid-back country-rock to funky-electric R&B.

That owes primarily to three distinct leaders during the band’s 1970s heyday.

Formed as a Northern California bar band, the Doobie Brothers first found wide success with its second album, “Toulouse Street” (1972).

At the time, the group was under the leadership of founding member Tom Johnston.

In the early years, it scored hits with “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.”

The laid-back vibe and catchy hooks of these songs are backed by acoustic guitars and — in the case of “Listen to the Music” — a banjo.

It’s all right there in the group’s name, which its website defines as “a kind of pasture grass.” The “Rolling Stone Album Guide” has another toke — oops, that was supposed to be “take” — saying the group was “named after the ... end of a joint.”

. . .

Article by Brian Mackey
The State Journal-Register
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