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By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
POSTED: 02:18 p.m. EST, Feb 12, 2009
The recent trend of Akron's most famous musical exports coming home for special concerts will continue, as R&B stars and Akronites James Ingram and Howard Hewett will perform a special Easter concert on April 11.
At a news conference in the lobby of the Akron Civic Theatre, Ingram and his wife, Debbie, gave details on the inspirational concert, which will also include a contest for area churches. The church that sells the most tickets will win their choir the opportunity to perform with Ingram.
''We really wanted to figure out how we can come and not just give a performance,'' Debbie Ingram said.
''We feel very good about this and we wanted to come home and start it here where it all began in Akron, Ohio, and share it with the community, and involve what's real for us — which has always been real and always been the base — which is the church,'' she said.
James Ingram's hits include the spiritual-themed Yah Mo Be There, a duet with Michael McDonald, and the ballads Just Once and Somewhere Out There, recorded with Linda Ronstadt. He released his first full-length inspirational album, Stand (In the Light), in the fall, his first album of new material this century.
''It's a blessing to come back to Akron every year to see our friends and family because this is home,'' Ingram said at the podium.
''I am proud to be from Akron, Ohio, because I have been blessed to travel around the world, and we were born with a set of principles in general from the Midwest that the East Coast and the West Coast don't have,'' he said.
The concert was organized by the Ingrams with the help of longtime family friend Dorothy Jackson, who then talked with Civic Theatre managing director Howard Paar. Paar noted that the concert would serve as a bookend to the recent series of shows by returning local music stars.
Devo joined the Black Keys and Chrissie Hynde for a benefit for the Summit County Democratic Party last October. Hynde and her band, The Pretenders, will perform a sold-out Civic Theatre show on Saturday.
''We are absolutely thrilled to continue with that (trend) after a period of many, many years of not having the opportunity to have these artists performing in their hometown, to add the final piece of that mix with a concert featuring James and Howard Hewett,'' Paar said.
Ingram, a graduate of East High, has only performed once in Akron, at an Urban League fundraiser about a decade ago. But he and Debbie come back to Akron every year. He said he hasn't performed in Akron in so long because he doesn't tour and because he doesn't want to wear out his welcome.
''I don't want people to say, 'Aww man, so what, we already know you and we've seen you before, get outta here,' '' he said, drawing laughs from the assembled friends, family and church representatives.
During his remarks, Ingram nearly lapsed into preacher mode. He quoted Scripture, talked about the importance of faith, family and strong male role models in the home, and how the devastation of Hurricane Katrina inspired the album's title track. Ingram also reminisced about his teenage days playing in local bands such as Revelation Funk, and sneaking into Bethel Baptist Church as a youth to play the blues on the organ while no one was watching.
Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday at $65, $50 and $35, plus a $95 reserved ticket which includes seating in the first 10 rows and a VIP after-show party with Ingram. Participating churches should receive their blocks of tickets in March, Paar said.
Tickets are available through the Civic box office and Ticketmaster (330-945-9400 or http://www.ticketmaster.com).
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
The recent trend of Akron's most famous musical exports coming home for special concerts will continue, as R&B stars and Akronites James Ingram and Howard Hewett will perform a special Easter concert on April 11.
At a news conference in the lobby of the Akron Civic Theatre, Ingram and his wife, Debbie, gave details on the inspirational concert, which will also include a contest for area churches. The church that sells the most tickets will win their choir the opportunity to perform with Ingram.
''We really wanted to figure out how we can come and not just give a performance,'' Debbie Ingram said.
''We feel very good about this and we wanted to come home and start it here where it all began in Akron, Ohio, and share it with the community, and involve what's real for us — which has always been real and always been the base — which is the church,'' she said.
James Ingram's hits include the spiritual-themed Yah Mo Be There, a duet with Michael McDonald, and the ballads Just Once and Somewhere Out There, recorded with Linda Ronstadt. He released his first full-length inspirational album, Stand (In the Light), in the fall, his first album of new material this century.
''It's a blessing to come back to Akron every year to see our friends and family because this is home,'' Ingram said at the podium.
''I am proud to be from Akron, Ohio, because I have been blessed to travel around the world, and we were born with a set of principles in general from the Midwest that the East Coast and the West Coast don't have,'' he said.
The concert was organized by the Ingrams with the help of longtime family friend Dorothy Jackson, who then talked with Civic Theatre managing director Howard Paar. Paar noted that the concert would serve as a bookend to the recent series of shows by returning local music stars.
Devo joined the Black Keys and Chrissie Hynde for a benefit for the Summit County Democratic Party last October. Hynde and her band, The Pretenders, will perform a sold-out Civic Theatre show on Saturday.
''We are absolutely thrilled to continue with that (trend) after a period of many, many years of not having the opportunity to have these artists performing in their hometown, to add the final piece of that mix with a concert featuring James and Howard Hewett,'' Paar said.
Ingram, a graduate of East High, has only performed once in Akron, at an Urban League fundraiser about a decade ago. But he and Debbie come back to Akron every year. He said he hasn't performed in Akron in so long because he doesn't tour and because he doesn't want to wear out his welcome.
''I don't want people to say, 'Aww man, so what, we already know you and we've seen you before, get outta here,' '' he said, drawing laughs from the assembled friends, family and church representatives.
During his remarks, Ingram nearly lapsed into preacher mode. He quoted Scripture, talked about the importance of faith, family and strong male role models in the home, and how the devastation of Hurricane Katrina inspired the album's title track. Ingram also reminisced about his teenage days playing in local bands such as Revelation Funk, and sneaking into Bethel Baptist Church as a youth to play the blues on the organ while no one was watching.
Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday at $65, $50 and $35, plus a $95 reserved ticket which includes seating in the first 10 rows and a VIP after-show party with Ingram. Participating churches should receive their blocks of tickets in March, Paar said.
Tickets are available through the Civic box office and Ticketmaster (330-945-9400 or http://www.ticketmaster.com).
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 06:16 AM, 02/13/2009
My deceased aunt sang at duet with you in the East High School talent show years back. I know you remember.
We wish you success with your concert.
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:24 PM, 02/13/2009
James - Thanks for taping those foster care T.V. commercials for my agency many years ago. I hope you realize how effective those 30 second spots were.
