Cultural Continuum Series
Ohio
Theatre to hold premier of
‘Hoosier Hank & Johnny’
All-star
musical review
to feature local musicians
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
(March 2010) – Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny
Cash are undeniably two country music icons. Their legendary sounds
have been combined into an all-star musical review set to debut at the
historic Ohio Theatre.
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Photo
provided Actor,
singer and |
In a tribute to Williams and Cash, Tim Grimm has organized
an all-star lineup to perform two sets of honky-tonkin songs and selections
from The Man in Black. “Hank Williams Sr. is truly the grandfather-godfather
of “country” music,” said Grimm, while Johnny Cash was
a hero to many with “a very wide appeal and fascinating career.”
As an actor, singer and songwriter, Grimm has created a series of musical
performances with “Hoosier Hank & Johnny” being the third
production. “We’ve done seven “Hoosier Dylan” shows
and two “Hoosier Springsteen” shows thus far,” said Grimm,
who lives near where he was raised in rural Bartholomew County.
“The audience response to our past “Hoosier” shows has
been tremendous,” said Grimm. “These shows could be performed
anywhere in the country and they really highlight homegrown talent.
I also love bringing musicians from varying styles together for a shared
evening of music.”
Greg Ziesemer agreed that “Hoosier Dylan” and “Hoosier
Springsteen” have been well received. Ziesemer, also a singer-songwriter
in Madison, will be performing in Grimm’s latest musical. He will
be accompanied by his wife, Kriss Luckett, and together the two will
perform songs made popular by June Carter and Johnny Cash.
“I wear several hats in these shows,” said Grimm. “I
pull together a variety of talent and I perform myself.” Other
performers include Jimmy Davis, Elly Maze, the White Lightening Boys,
and Jennie DeVoe, who was recently voted one of Indianapolis’ Best
Local Musicians.
The performance will debut on Friday, March 26, at the historic Ohio
Theatre in Madison, 105 E. Main St. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m.,
with the musical beginning at 7:30 p.m. In addition to concessions,
beverages will be available from the Thomas Family Winery.
“Having worked in the performing arts all of my adult life, I feel
it is part of my personal mission to create and bring to life a variety
of musical and theatrical experiences to my home state,” said Grimm,
49.
He has a master’s degree in Fine Arts in theater from the University
of Michigan and has been a professional actor on stage and in film and
television for the last 25 years. “Music has played a large role
in my career for the past 10 years as well,” he said. Grimm lived
in Los Angeles for eight years, as well as spending time in Chicago
and New York working extensively on his craft.
Grimm usually presents performances such as this in small mid-sized
historic theaters around the state. He said he was “quiet taken
with the space” at the Ohio Theatre. Ziesemer said he thinks attendees
will be drawn to the “interpretation of the artists, the interaction
between the musicians in a live setting.” He and his wife perform
acoustic style in a lot of local venues.
Ziesemer is one of four individuals who comprise the Madison Cultural
Continuum, along with Kevin Watkins, Steve Thomas and Gary Duckworth.
Established one year ago, the goal of the non-profit is to “bring
more cultural and performing arts events to Madison,” Ziesemer
said.
The Madison Cultural Continuum brought “Wilderness Plots”
to the Ohio Theatre last summer. That stage production was sponsored
by The Rivers Institute of Hanover College. The Madison Cultural Continuum
is presenting “Hoosier Hank & Johnny” with help from several
local sponsors which include: MPS Printing, the Madison Courier, River
Town Chiropractic, Thomas Family Winery, Pets Doc Veterinary Clinic,
Gaylord Productions and WIKI 95.3 FM country music radio.
“This is a show not to miss,” said Ziesemer. “It’s
the beginning of a long series of events we’ll be bringing to Madison.”
• Tickets should be available the first week of March at the following locations: Ohio Theatre, Village Lights Bookstore, Thomas Family Winery, Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Madison Area Chamber of Commerce and through the Lanier Mansion website at www.indianamuseum.org/sites/lani.html or the CVB’s website at www.VisitMadison.org. Advance sale tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youths under 18 or students with a college ID. Tickets at the door will be $18 and $12 the day of the show. For more information contact Ziesemer at (812) 265-4004 or visit: www.CulturalContinuum.com or www.TimGrimm.com.