produced by Soundtracks of a Generation
MARCH 15, 2025 @ 7P
@ RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
As a small child in Belfast, Van Morrison used to love listening to his father’s Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Muddy Waters, Mahalia Jackson, and Leadbelly records. He became a traveling musician at age 13 and formed Them in 1964 at 19.
From then on, it was simply impossible to categorize him in any traditional musical category. You want pop? Gloria. Top 40? Domino. Iconic song played at every social function known to man? Brown-Eyed Girl.
But that merely scratches the surface. Van Morrison’s complete understanding of the gospel, jazz & R&B idioms makes the prospect of forging a tribute show to the Belfast Cowboy a wonderful challenge.
And Soundtracks Of A Generation’s producer Doug James has done just that, forming a crack 10-piece outfit featuring singer/harp player Derrick Procell that will play all the Van Morrison hits but will—almost more importantly—span the musical genres represented during the man’s 55-year career, paying homage to the most original of artists.
This event is sponsored by
Derrick Procell
Derrick Procell is an accomplished singer/songwriter with numerous awards for music written for TV Shows. An A-list Studio singer for years in Chicago he also performs in numerous STOAG Shows but also with his own Blues band, Derrick Procell and The Redeemers.
Derrick’s been singing since he was a kid. He was in bar bands before he was legal. He did his first recording as the lead singer in a band, Mothers Worry, when he was 16, and ever since then he’s been Mr. Studio Guy.
Originally hailing from Milwaukee, he was always a sought after front man. This led him to a lengthy stint with Midwestern faves, Arroyo. His energy and talent together made him irresistible to audiences. Always in great demand, he has logged over a million hours on stage and in the studio, including providing vocals for advertising giants like McDonald’s, Chevy, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s.
Of course, an incredible singer who’s also a smokin’ musician is going to write songs. Some earlier stuff that he wrote for the bands he was in won all kinds of awards. 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, True Blood, and King of the Hill. And the Oscar nominated film, Lady Bird, was home to one of Derrick’s co-written songs, Back To His Girl.
Derrick’s songs have been included in projects by The American Cancer Society, Music From the Heart and The Children’s Heart Foundation. He has also been the recipient of songwriting awards from the Wisconsin Area Music Institute, Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase and Billboard Magazine.
The last several years have seen Derrick teamed with Grammy-winning lyricist Terry Abrahamson, co-writing a vast catalogue of hits. While a growing number of artists are finding out about their amazing collection of songs, their current success with the release of their tune, In The Blood of the Blues, on Grammy nominee Shemekia Copleland’s new record, America’s Child, is bound to open many new doors for them.
Check out all of Derrick’s music at derrickprocellmusic.com
Chris Forte/guitar
A virtuoso guitarist and teacher, Chris is the Chief Operating Officer of SoundTracks Of A Generation. Adept at playing virtually any genre of music, Chris recently finished a tour of the eastern US as guitarist for Mannheim Steamroller.
Rick Demski/vocal
Rick is a talented & versatile vocalist who is the go-to lead singer in many of the SoundTracks tribute shows. Blessed with a wide range, he can harmonize beautifully and will duet as Mark Knopfler with Derrick Procell on the show’s signature song ‘Irish Heartbeat’.
Brooke Fauver-Drumheller/vocal
SoundTracks’ Georgia Peach is an experienced model & singer who hails from the Southeast and brings that regional hospitality with her. Brooke is also a roller derby enthusiast, bringing actual ‘rock & roll’ to her craft!
Jay Martini/keyboard, musical director
Co-founder of this Irish Heartbeat show, Jay has worked hard with the players to arrange the Van Morrison retrospective in a way to tell a compelling story of this influential Irish singer. He is equally comfortable on piano or Hammond B-3 organ, and has gratitude in being able to collaborate with these great musicians.
Todd Lazar/bass
With his signature fluorescent green bass strings, Todd is a most sought-after bassist in Chicago, and lends a perfectly-balanced bottom end to any project in which he’s involved. He’s currently with a tremendous R&B outfit—Darren Jay & The Delta Souls.
Rob Davis/drums
The other bookend of the crisp Delta Souls’ rhythm engine, Rob brings energy, style, tempo, and a big smile to the proceedings. He has settled in as solid percussionist for Irish Heartbeat, The Soul Commitments and Summer Of Love 1967 shows within the SoundTracks tribute arena.
Julie Miller/vocal
Our Jules can reach the stratosphere with her rich alto-to-soprano stylings and has embodied the persona of Janis Joplin and Ann Wilson in other SoundTracks shows. You’ll hear her sing gospel-style as Mavis Staples with Derrick Procell on ‘If I Ever Needed Someone’.
Pam Deethardt/vocal
Pam is the ‘P’ in the Irish Heartbeat’s ‘PB&J’ (with Brooke & Julie) crew of lilting lasses that operate as one voice it seems sometimes. They sing great & look better, bringing wonderful leads and seamless harmonies to the mix.
Ken Johnson/keyboard
Known as ‘The Deacon’, KJ brings an encyclopedic knowledge of music and his most excellent chops bring an ultimate balance & shimmer to Irish Heartbeat. Formerly a keyboard player with blues artist Koko Taylor, Ken is schooled on all music genres from classical to blues to gospel & R&B.
Mitch Goldman/trumpet
When ‘The Lip’ is not conscripted as a first-call trumpet player for SoundTracks Of A Generation, he fronts his own funk band, named—not surprisingly—Mitch The Lip & Side Hustle. Mitch also plays guitar, sings lead vocals, and always gets the last word in!
Robb Calabro/sax
Our Italian tenor player’s lines run the gamut from sharp bursts to long Coltrane-esque riffs, but always fitting perfectly with the rest of the band. Robb’s prodigious R&B chops are reminiscent of his admiration for Dave Sanborn and add great flavor to Irish Heartbeat and many of the SoundTracks shows.
Doug James/Exec Producer
The ‘fearless leader’! Doug is founder of the entire breadth of SoundTracks Of A Generation tribute shows. Starting over ten years ago with the Joe Cocker Tribute, the stable has grown exponentially & he is proud to present this homage to the Belfast Cowboy!
ABOUT STOAG
Soundtracks of a Generation (STOAG) delivers first class tributes to rock n’ roll lovers around the Chicagoland area. These first-class Rock tributes invite music lovers to experience rich moments of Rock n’ Roll history through live performances, both acoustic sets and full multimedia productions. Founder, producer and performer Doug James delivers local talent and beautifully blended ensembles to deliver live energetic performances that define a generation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Paul, board president
John Jacobsen, vice president
Jerry Trachsler, treasurer
Luanne Flavin, secretary
John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Stacey McInerney
RAUE CENTER STAFF
Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory
Justin Wellington
Managing Director
Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager
Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement
Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager
James Knight
Economic Development Manager
Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education
Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager
Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production
Lisa Giebler
Technical Director
Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager
James Mablin
Resident Music Director
Box Office Associates
Naomi Unverzagt
Max Powers
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 follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.
