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Leader of the Band: Fogelberg tribute concert, weekend coming to Allen
Photo courtesy of Rusty King - The Connections Band will perform a free Dan Fogelberg tribute concert Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center. Donations raised during the concert will benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy.
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com, @asnyder_scn on Twitter
Dan Fogelberg will soon have an honorary home in Allen.
The city will pay homage to the musician on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, during the Dan Fogelberg Tribute Weekend. The two-day event will be headlined by a free concert at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center by the Connections Band, a 1970s cover group featuring United Methodist Church ministers and laypeople.
Fogelberg died of prostate cancer in 2007.
The tribute weekend is modeled after an August 2010 gathering of Fogelberg fans in his hometown of Peoria, Ill, that was attended by founding members of the Connections Band. Included in that group was Rusty King, the music minster at First United Methodist of Allen.
The Connections Band was formed at a clergy retreat in 2001 when King and Eric Folkerth, another of the group's founding members, met one night to play music.
“We played for two hours and it was nothing but Fogelberg,” King said.
The group played its first concert in 2004, during which they raised nearly $2,000 for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The group has played 42 concerts to date and raised $220,000 to date, King said.
Any donations made during Saturday's concert will benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy.
In addition to covering Fogelberg songs, the group has played tribute concerts featuring music from Chicago, The Eagles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Carole King and James Taylor.
Saturday's performance, “Heart 2 Heart,” will feature a 23-piece chamber orchestra that includes members of the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra. The Allen Symphony Chorus will also take part in the 25-song set list, which will feature Fogelberg hits like “Longer” and “Run for the Roses.”
Fogelberg orchestrator Glen Spreen will conduct the orchestra and choir during Saturday's concert in addition to sharing stories about working with the titular musician.
King said they hope to have 1,200 people attend the concert, which will be the Connections fourth in Allen and second at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center. Their concert there last year drew 850 people.
Along with Saturday's concert, the tribute concert will include a welcome party Friday hosted by the Allen Philharmonic at the Courtyard by Marriott at 210 East Stacy Rd. The party will include a dinner buffet and performances from a number of tribute artists culminating in a jam session between all of the performing musicians. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information on the tribute weekend, visit allenphilharmonic.org or fumcallen.org.
The city will pay homage to the musician on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, during the Dan Fogelberg Tribute Weekend. The two-day event will be headlined by a free concert at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center by the Connections Band, a 1970s cover group featuring United Methodist Church ministers and laypeople.
Fogelberg died of prostate cancer in 2007.
The tribute weekend is modeled after an August 2010 gathering of Fogelberg fans in his hometown of Peoria, Ill, that was attended by founding members of the Connections Band. Included in that group was Rusty King, the music minster at First United Methodist of Allen.
The Connections Band was formed at a clergy retreat in 2001 when King and Eric Folkerth, another of the group's founding members, met one night to play music.
“We played for two hours and it was nothing but Fogelberg,” King said.
The group played its first concert in 2004, during which they raised nearly $2,000 for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The group has played 42 concerts to date and raised $220,000 to date, King said.
Any donations made during Saturday's concert will benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy.
In addition to covering Fogelberg songs, the group has played tribute concerts featuring music from Chicago, The Eagles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Carole King and James Taylor.
Saturday's performance, “Heart 2 Heart,” will feature a 23-piece chamber orchestra that includes members of the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra. The Allen Symphony Chorus will also take part in the 25-song set list, which will feature Fogelberg hits like “Longer” and “Run for the Roses.”
Fogelberg orchestrator Glen Spreen will conduct the orchestra and choir during Saturday's concert in addition to sharing stories about working with the titular musician.
King said they hope to have 1,200 people attend the concert, which will be the Connections fourth in Allen and second at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center. Their concert there last year drew 850 people.
Along with Saturday's concert, the tribute concert will include a welcome party Friday hosted by the Allen Philharmonic at the Courtyard by Marriott at 210 East Stacy Rd. The party will include a dinner buffet and performances from a number of tribute artists culminating in a jam session between all of the performing musicians. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
For more information on the tribute weekend, visit allenphilharmonic.org or fumcallen.org.
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