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Featured Music Tribute

SoundTracks Of A Generation Presents “The Lennon Project” at Raue Center For The Arts

<Crystal Lake>, IL – March 27, 2024 – SoundTracks Of A Generation is proud to present “The Lennon Project”, a 100-minute retrospective of the songs and life of John Lennon, at Raue Center For The Arts on Saturday, June 15 at 7p.

 

The show will feature Jay Goeppner, one of the best Lennonesque singers on the planet, assuming the role of John Lennon. Together with his crack SoundTracks band, Goeppner will take the audience on a chronological soundscape of Lennon’s career, from his time with the Beatles to his solo work.

 

The first half of the show will cover the Beatles’ decision to stop touring and focus on music composed in the studio, leading to iconic albums like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Rubber Soul, Revolver, The White Album, Abbey Road, and the rooftop concert for Let It Be.

 

The second half of the show will delve into John Lennon’s solo career, featuring songs from The Plastic Ono Band to his signature album Imagine, Sometime In New York City, Mind Games, Walls & Bridges, and Rock & Roll. The show will conclude with selections from John and Yoko’s final recording, Double Fantasy, released just before his death on December 8, 1980.

 

The show will also include multimedia images to create a monumental musical and emotional impact that John Lennon brought to the world.

 

Tickets start at $30* ($21* for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows. 

 

Don’t miss this chance to experience the unforgettable music and legacy of John Lennon.

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

Featured Music Pop Rock

Jay Goeppner of The Lennon Project pays his respects to John Lennon’s life and music.

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

To be clear, Jay Goeppner doesn’t look like John Lennon. He doesn’t imitate his accent; he doesn’t wear small spectacles. But when the music begins, Goeppner takes the microphone in hand and transports his audience back in time as he performs the music of John Lennon and the Beatles.

“I’m not trying to be John Lennon,” Goeppner said. “I’m taking the stage as a fan who loves the music. I tell the stories about what was going on in John’s life at the time he wrote the music.”

Goeppner, a Chicago-area native, has played in 22 countries and countless concerts bringing the music and the messages of his idol John Lennon. He’s more than another cover band, having received first-hand accolades from fellow musicians praising his ability to capture the essence of Lennon’s music.

Goeppner will bring his well-loved show, The Lennon Project to the stage of The Raue Center on June 15, his first time playing the Crystal Lake stage.

“It’s a concert. It’s a celebration of John’s work. It tells the story of what was going on when John was writing the music,” Goeppner said.

Goeppner is a true storyteller, whether he is sharing tales from his musical adventures or delving into the messages of Lennon’s music. In the concert, he begins with Lennon’s contribution to the “Sgt. Peper Lonely Hearts Club Band” released in 1967 and how the album changed music traversing through the Beatles years through Lennon’s solo work until his untimely death in 1980.

Goeppner said the latter music of Lennon, as he advocated for peace in a time of turmoil, is a message that continues to resonate in our challenging times.

“John was very intellectual,” Goeppner said. “He absolutely thought he could make a difference.”
Goeppner was a choir boy who idolized John Lennon and his music. At 14 he entered and won a Lennon sound-a-like contest at Beatlefest. He loved to sing, but when his idol was shot and killed outside of his New York home in 1980, the music became too painful for Goeppner to sing.

“I was so devasted, I stopped singing for a while,” he said.

At 17 he went to a Beatles convention and was encouraged to sing in the sound-a-like contest where in the crowd was musician Harry Nilsson, who had been close to Lennon. Goeppner said after he sang Nilsson approached him, telling him he sounded just like Lennon and telling him to keep singing.

A call to a local radio station in 1986 would change Goeppner’s musical path. He was 22 when he called into the Jonathan Brandmeier’s radio show and when prompted, sang a bit of a John Lennon song. With that short song, Brandmeier was so impressed, he set out to find a “Paul” for Goeppner. Within a few days he introduced Goeppner to Phil Angotti and the Beatle Brothers was born. The band played together for years.

“It was a really fun time,” Goeppner said. “It’s the Holy Land of the Beatles.”

As much as music is his passion, it isn’t his career. For 35 years Goeppner has worked as a baggage handler for American Airlines. Playing in clubs and bars for fans in the evening, returning home, and waking up at 5:30 a.m. to start his job loading suitcases on planes at O’Hare Airport.

“I’m the luckiest guy,” he said.

In 2005 Goeppner and his band Instant Karma traveled to Liverpool, England for the International Beatle Week, where music of the Beatles plays all day and night, with bands from all over the world.
“I was amazed,” Goeppner said. “It was wild. It was fun.”

Through the years Goeppner has performed his own music and lent vocals to local bands and shows, but The Lennon Project is his own special tribute to an icon who stood for peace and love.

“It’s spreading the message of John Lennon,” Goeppner said. “We need it. The relevance of his message is still needed today.”

Featured Music Pop Tribute

Always Olivia pays tribute to Olivia Newton-John

<Crystal Lake>, IL – February 26, 2024 – Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center on Saturday, May 11 @ 7 pm. The show stars Annie Aiello, and a five-piece band including some of Chicago’s most talented singers and musicians who have toured with or played on projects for Oprah Winfrey, American Idol, Jersey Boys, Frankie Avalon, The Smothers Brothers, The Drifters, Mannheim Steamroller and more!

In a career spanning more than five decades, Olivia Newton-John sold over 100 million records worldwide. Her successes include four Grammys; numerous Country Music, American Music, Billboard, and People’s Choice Awards; an Emmy Award; ten #1 hits; and more than fifteen top-10 singles. In 1978, her costarring role as Sandy with John Travolta in Grease catapulted Olivia into super-stardom.

Always Olivia authentically captures the essence and sounds of Olivia’s timeless music. This show lovingly incorporates five decades of Olivia’s music, dialogue about Newton-John’s history, humor, audience participation, costume changes, and video projection with stimulating visuals. Expect to hear Olivia’s oh-so-memorable hits spanning the 70s to the present day including: Hopelessly Devoted, You’re The One That I Want, Physical, Magic, Xanadu, If You Love Me Let Me Know, Let Me Be There, Don’t Stop Believin’, Grace & Gratitude and so much more!

Tickets start at $40 ($28 for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows.

About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the nation’s finest examples of restored art and decor. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Featured Music Tribute

The SuperTramp Tribute brings Progressive Rock to Raue Center

<Crystal Lake>, IL – March 19, 2024 – The Supertramp Tribute, a passionate ensemble of multi-instrumentalists, will be paying homage to one of the most endearing Progressive Rock bands the world has ever known at Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, IL  on Friday, May 17 at 8 pm. 

 

With an impressive arsenal that includes three keyboard players, a stable of reeds, and a rhythmic backbone, this tribute band delivers a sonic experience that transports you through time. Their performances are more than just a collection of cover songs; they are a musical odyssey that invites you to take the long way home, immersing yourself in the iconic sounds and intricate melodies that made Supertramp a household name.

 

The Supertramp Tribute is presented by Soundtracks of a Generation, a company dedicated to bringing the best tribute bands to audiences around the country. Whether you’re a die-hard Supertramp fan or just looking for a night of great music, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

 

Tickets start at $30 ($21 for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows. 

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org or facebook.com/RaueCenter

Featured Music Pop Rock Tribute

GEORGE MICHAEL REBORN STARRING ROBERT BARTKO BRINGS THE LEGEND BACK TO LIFE

<Crystal Lake>, IL – MARCH 18, 2024 – GEORGE MICHAEL REBORN starring Robert Barko, the incredible tribute to George Michael and WHAM!, rocks Raue Center on May 4, 2024, at 7 p.m.

 

With his live vocals (NO LIP-SYNCING here), Robert Bartko exudes the energy and passion of George in the ’80s and 90’s, getting the crowd on the dance floor for “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and prompting standing ovations for his performance of “Careless Whisper.” Robert is a spot-on George Michael lookalike, with the vocal range, dance moves, crowd interaction, and charisma that will leave you cheering for an encore. 

 

It was during his early high school years that many began to point out an incredible resemblance between George and Robert. A lifelong fan, Robert, also a singer in the drama club, had a voice that amazingly sounded exactly like George Michael’s. Robert began imitating the star’s signature vocal stylings and dance moves in the following years. Robert has thrilled audiences at clubs, concerts, festivals, and tribute shows throughout the country, including his recent selling out of the famed “House of Blues”.

 

Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re listening to the real deal, not a George Michael impersonator!

 

Tickets start at $35* for the general public ($24.50* for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows.

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

Featured Music Rock Tribute

SoundTracks Of A Generation Presents “The Lennon Project” at Raue Center For The Arts

<Crystal Lake>, IL – March 27, 2024 – SoundTracks Of A Generation is proud to present “The Lennon Project”, a 100-minute retrospective of the songs and life of John Lennon, at Raue Center For The Arts on Saturday, June 15 at 7p.

The show will feature Jay Goeppner, one of the best Lennonesque singers on the planet, assuming the role of John Lennon. Together with his crack SoundTracks band, Goeppner will take the audience on a chronological soundscape of Lennon’s career, from his time with the Beatles to his solo work.

The first half of the show will cover the Beatles’ decision to stop touring and focus on music composed in the studio, leading to iconic albums like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Rubber Soul, Revolver, The White Album, Abbey Road, and the rooftop concert for Let It Be.

The second half of the show will delve into John Lennon’s solo career, featuring songs from The Plastic Ono Band to his signature album Imagine, Sometime In New York City, Mind Games, Walls & Bridges, and Rock & Roll. The show will conclude with selections from John and Yoko’s final recording, Double Fantasy, released just before his death on December 8, 1980.

The show will also include multimedia images to create a monumental musical and emotional impact that John Lennon brought to the world.

Tickets start at $30* ($21* for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the unforgettable music and legacy of John Lennon.

About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Blues Music News

Raue Center Welcomes Derrick Procell as 2023-24 Season Artist in Residence

<Crystal Lake>, IL – August 8, 2023 – Raue Center is proud to welcome favorite Derrick Procell as its 2023-24 season artist in residence. Join us for multiple engagements with this award-winning singer-songwriter, and Catfood Records original recording artist. Each evening of music will be a unique exploration of Procell’s journey as a musician.  Each performance will take place in Raue Center’s new intimate onstage blues lounge set up with bar and dance floor!

 

Join us on October 12, 2023, for an evening of Rockin’ Soul/Blues with Derrick and his All-Star Mojo Band. Explore  Derrick’s creative process and collaboration with songwriting partner Terry Abrahamson on November 16, 2023. Delve into music as activism on February 15, 2024, for an evening inspired by causes close to Derrick’s heart. Finally, don’t miss his final performance on March 21, 2024, which will be a big party with special guests! 

 

“As our third Artist in Residence, Derrick brings tremendous joy and energy to the upcoming year!” explains Raue  Center’s executive director Richard Kuranda. “Last year, his album launch with us for “Hello Mojo!” catapulted him to the national charts. He’s got a great rapport with the audience as a consummate entertainer. He’s one of the hardest working artists in Contemporary Blues!”  

 

“Many folks see the word Blues–especially when connected to Chicago– and think of only one kind of music,” explains Procell.  “The Blues is a much wider genre…including Soul Blues, Blues Rock, Contemporary Blues, Electric Blues…the list goes on!”

 

Originally from Milwaukee, Derrick Procell is a sought-after frontman, vocalist, and musician performing as a solo artist,  with his band Derrick Procell and the Redeemers, and as Van Morrison and Joe Cocker with Soundtracks of a Generation.  An incredible singer and songwriter, Derrick’s songs have been recorded by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Logan  Daniels, and Melissa Manchester. You have heard Derrick’s songs on My Name is Earl, TrueBlood, Criminal Minds, Boston  Legal, Saving Grace, The Office, This Is Us, King of the Hill, and the Oscar-nominated film, Lady Bird. His latest album  “Hello Mojo” spent more than 30 weeks, including 7 weeks at Number One, on the Soul Blues Roots Music Report charts.  

 

Linda Cain of Chicago Blues Guide calls Procell’s music “a treasure trove of richly detailed story-songs that immerse the listener in the blues experience from the Delta to Chicago and beyond. Blues fans worldwide seeking smart,  powerful modern blues songs that honor the legacy of the genre’s masters will find it here.” 

 

Tickets start at $25 ($17.50* for RaueNOW Members) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows.  

 

About Raue Center For The Arts 

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they  have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly  restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest  stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of  the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal  Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.  

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

 

Music News Uncategorized

Evening of Percussion Keeps the Beat

Evening of Percussion with the Crystal Lake Strikers wowed audiences for another sold-out show on Saturday, February 10 @ 7p at Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake.

This annual local fan favorite put the spotlight on a night of music featuring the best percussion and drumming groups around! Evening of Percussion featured the performing ensembles of the Crystal Lake Strikers and some surprise guests, performers ranging in age from seven to seventy. The Strikers also award scholarships to local high school students including the Tim Althoff, William Laskey, and Aaron Shepley Memorial Scholarships.

The Crystal Lake Strikers was formed in the fall of 2007 when three area men sat in a local coffee shop imagining the possibility of forming an organization that would achieve the essential goals of providing a performing outlet for drummers of college-age and beyond as well as supporting and educating aspiring young performers. In the 15 years since, the Strikers have performed in front of millions and have created seven ensembles for area students.

 

Music Pop Rock

Battle of the Bands Winner JJ Smith Returns to Crystal Lake with Special Guest Jake Racina

<Crystal Lake>, IL – January 23, 2024 – JJ Smith, the winner of Raue Center’s inaugural 2023 Battle of the Bands, is returning to Crystal Lake on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 7 pm. The event will feature Smith’s dynamic and unapologetic sound, ranging from soft, finger-style melodies to powerful rock songs reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley. 

 

Smith’s songs offer a modern spin on the Rock and Folk movements of the 60s/70s. His vocal stylings bring the likes of Robert Plant and Jeff Buckley to mind, while his intricate guitar work evokes that of Nick Drake and Jimmy Page. 

 

Joining him is fellow Chicago artist, Jake Racina, whose jazz-infused, story-driven songs evoke a unique and forlorn sense of timelessness. 

 

The performance will take place at Raue Center for the Arts, located at 26 N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL. General admission tickets are available for $20, with a discounted rate of $14 for Raue Center members. 

 

JJ Smith and Jake Racina promise to deliver an unforgettable night of music that will leave the audience wanting more. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic of these two talented artists!

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rauecenter.org or contact Raue Center’s box office at (815) 356-9212. Raue Center is located at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows. 

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

Blues Featured Rock Soul Tribute

Joe Cocker’s famed Mad Dogs & Englishmen Concert Tribute at Raue Center

<Crystal Lake>, IL –  A legendary night in rock and roll history! Hear the music and the stories in this one-of-a-kind tribute produced by Soundtracks Of A Generation and presented at Raue Center For The Arts on October 27, 2023 at 8pm. 

 

An all-star 10-piece band pays tribute to the historic 1970 The Mad Dogs & Englishmen concert with Joe Cocker and Leon Russell, recorded at the famed Filmore East. Known as the “Church of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ New York’s Fillmore East opened its doors on March 8, 1968. For the next three years, the 3,600-seat theater built in 1926 would host the cream of rock royalty: Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, the Doors…and of course, Joe Cocker. 

 

Joe Cocker was one of the greatest interpreters of songs of his generation of vocalists. Not a single Rock, Blues, Pop or Soul song was written that he couldn’t make his own.

 

His genre-busting career spanned over five decades from Rock and Soul, to Ballads and Contemporary Classics. This show chronicles Joe’s breakout performances at Woodstock, The Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour with the legendary Leon Russell, to his diverse career as a solo artist, featuring all of his most famous and well-known music. 

 

Cat Food Records and recording artist Derrick Procell sings the hits of Joe Cocker with the same raw power and grit that made Joe Cocker such a diverse artist. 

 

Tickets start at $30* ($21 for RaueNOW Members*) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows. 

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

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