Summer 2008 Fundraising Events

SUMMER 2008 SOPA FUNDRAISING EVENTS
5/17/08
By Greig Steiner

Nashville artists Tia Sillers and Mark Selby, both song writers and singers, will be seen in Estes Park in August as part of the 2008 summer fund-raiser series of music programs in support of The Supporters Of The Performing Arts Inc. They will appear in performance at the 'Old Bear Lake Lodge' on the grounds of co-sponsors of the event, the Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort on Highway 66 on August twelfth at 7:30 P.M. Mark and Tia have appeared in Estes Park and other Colorado venues over the past years to great success and are donating this concert to help with the fund-raising efforts to build a new Performing Arts Center in Estes Park, where they hope to be able to perform in future concerts. Put the date on your calendar, you won't want to miss this show.

Tia has a long list of credentials in her field as a Country music writer. Her hit song 'I hope you dance', sung and recorded by Lee Ann Womack, not only won the Grammy for 'Country Song of the Year' in 2001, but it went on to win almost every other music award in the next year. Others of her songs have been listed on the top of the rock charts including her 'Blue on Black' holding the #1 spot for seventeen weeks. Her bubbly personality makes her presentation of her own songs a delight to hear in person as well as on her recent CD "Sweet Old Songs".

Mark Selby is a musical power in his own right. He has written and recorded a number of CDs of his own songs as well as writing music for other performers. Mark with his acoustic guitar is called "An electrifying performer" by Blues Revue and Rolling Stone says "Selby earned his moment in the spotlight with his excellent debut, "More Storms Comin'... no need for bells and whistles here...the music does the talking."

Mark's latest album, "Nine Pound Hammer", has appeared on the cover of "Rolling Tone" and was the feature story in the February 2007 issue of "Tone Quest". His "And the Horse He Rode In On..." exhibits his mastery of the guitar as well as he smooth singing style. Mark and Tia's "Nashville Picks" is a compilation of their own songs sung by them "and some of their friends". The two singers love to talk about the how and why many of their songs were written and what their inspirations were. A lot of fun and interesting tales are told in the process.

A number of fund-raiser events will be held in support of SOPA INC. this summer including an Art Auction sponsored by Earthwood Collections of Estes Park on Friday May 23rd, a performance of "Forever Plaid" by the Rocky Mountain Players on June 22nd, the Christian Acappela Men's Choir on Saturday July 19th and the Oratorio Society along with the Mountain Aires and Estes Park Chorale doing an All Gershwin program on July 27th. Also, the Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano, Isola Jones will appear singing a mix of opera, operetta and show music on August 5th accompanied by Ray Young, sponsored by Virginia and Fred Merrill and the Bishop Gallery.

If you would like to participate as a sponsor of any event please call 970-481-6142 or make a contribution to SOPA INC.- P. O. Box 3077 - Estes Park - Colorado - 80517 - or visit the web-site at estesparktheater.com.