Author: admin

That they are still roaring and soaring should be no surprise. That’s just how they are built. TESLA may have been born in the mid 80s, but their bluesy, soulful sound is strongly embedded in the roots of organic, authentic, 1970s rock and roll. The same roots that produced bands like The Allman Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Aerosmith.

The ground started shaking in Sacramento, CA, in 1984; gold country that would soon be producing some platinum. They started out as City Kidd, until a suggested name change to TESLA, honoring the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla who pioneered all things electrical. Their 1986 platinum debut album, Mechanical Resonance, included Top 40 hits “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi.” 1989’s double-platinum The Great Radio Controversy included hits “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)” and “Love Song”. Suddenly, TESLA, who had been touring with bands such as Def Leppard and David Lee Roth, earned headlining status. In 1990, TESLA helped reshape the face of modern rock music by stripping down to the Five Man Acoustical Jam, an informal collection of their biggest hits peppered with rock and roll classics by the Beatles, Stones, and others. This album produced their biggest hit single to date, a cover of Five Man Electrical Band’s “Signs.” Other 90s albums from Tesla include platinum selling Psychotic Supper and Bust a Nut. The band continues to record and release material including 9 new albums since 2000 and recently debuted their new single, “Time To Rock!”

TESLA has endured many of the same taste-changing challenges that affected many in the post-grunge world, but through it all, their blue-collar work ethic and dedication to the faithful fan base has helped them not just survive, but thrive. TESLA’s legacy is alive and well as they continue to record and sellout venues all over the world. As comfortable, rugged, and dependable as your favorite pair of boots, they endure. TESLA is a celebration of the greatest spirits of rock and roll.

LANCE BURTON is widely considered by his peers to be the greatest stage Magician of the past century. As magic historian Mike Caveney has stated; “Take every Magician in the world, line them up and give them each twelve minutes…Lance Wins!”

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Lance Burton burst onto the national stage on October 28, 1981, by making his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. So impressed was Carson while watching the rehearsal that he allowed Lance to do an unprecedented 12-minute routine. Through the course of Burton’s career, he was invited back for a total of ten appearances while Johnny Carson was host, and another ten appearances during Jay Leno’s tenure.

Over the years Lance Burton has performed on a wide range of TV shows. He racked up appearances on David Letterman, Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, The View, The World’s Greatest Magic, Hollywood Squares, and even acted in guest starring roles on Knight Rider, and Las Vegas.

In 1996 Lance Burton’s first TV special, LANCE BURTON MASTER MAGICIAN; THE LEGEND BEGINS, aired on NBC. This was quickly followed by a series of annual TV specials. These include:

• LANCE BURTON MASTER MAGICIAN; THE ENCOUNTER
• LANCE BURTON MASTER MAGICIAN; TOP SECRET
• LANCE BURTON MASTER MAGICIAN; ON THE ROAD
• LANCE BURTON MASTER MAGICIAN; YOUNG MAGICIAN’S SHOWCASE

He also hosted specials for The History Channel, Discovery, Animal Planet, The Family Channel, and many more.

While successful on TV, Lance Burton’s greatest accomplishments have been made in live performance. Working primarily in Las Vegas he has performed an astounding FIFTEEN THOUSAND shows in his 30-year career. His first job in Vegas was as a featured act in “The Folies Bergere” at The Tropicana Hotel, a job he held for nine years. In 1991 he opened his own show, “Lance Burton World Champion Magician,” at the Hacienda Hotel, which ran for five years.

In 1996 “Lance Burton Master Magician” opened at the brand-new Monte Carlo Hotel in the Lance Burton Theater. This was the first time any entertainer in the history of Las Vegas had a theater built and named for him. The contract at the Monte Carlo was for an unprecedented 13 years, the longest contract ever given to a live performer. Lance stayed at the Monte Carlo for a total of 14 years, performing over Five Thousand shows for over Five Million fans, grossing over Two Hundred Million Dollars. His last performance was September 4, 2010.

Throughout his career Lance Burton has received numerous awards and accolades from his peers.

• 1980 – First Magician to be awarded the GOLD MEDAL from the International Brotherhood of Magicians
• 1982 – First American and youngest Magician to win the GRAND PRIX (World Championship) from the Federation Internationale Societes des Magiques
• The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) has honored Lance Burton with awards many times, including:
  BEST STAGE MAGICIAN
  MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR (twice)
  THE MASTERS FELLOWSHIP (Youngest recipient ever)

In the Las Vegas Review Journal ‘Best of Las Vegas’ readers poll Lance Burton was voted BEST MAGICIAN 18 years in a row, a feat unequaled to this day.

Today Lance Burton is happily retired and lives quietly in Kentucky. He spends his time supporting several charities including: The Kentucky Humane Society, Nevada SPCA, Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, Variety Children’s Charity, and the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals. He mentors young Magicians, and has taken up a hobby, filmmaking.

Lance loves performing, although mainly retired, (he doesn’t do 500 shows a year any longer) he enjoys doing select shows across the United States and the world.  His new live touring show “Lance Burton &
Friends” is a mix of illusions, sleight of hand, audience participation, and amazing guest stars. A Las Vegas show suitable for the whole family.

Lance Burton recently made his debut as a Feature Film Director. Billy Topit Master Magician was the closing night film at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, where it won six awards including Best Family Film!

He is currently working on a number of documentary and narrative film projects. Recently Lance worked on OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL as Magic Advisor. He taught magic to James Franco, who he now considers his number one student.

Christopher Cross burst onto the music scene with his 1980 self-titled debut album, winning five Grammy Awards, including—for the first time in Grammy history—the “Big Four” most prestigious awards: Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also “Sailing”), and Best New Artist.

In a career spanning more than four decades, Cross has sold over 10 million albums. His music has garnered five Grammys, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, an Emmy nomination and five Top 10 singles.

Within a year of the first album’s release, Cross joined music royalty Burt Bacharach to write “Arthur’s Theme,” for the movie Arthur, which won an Academy Award for Best Song. With his 1983 release, Another Page, Cross was again in the Top 10 with the singles “All Right” and “Think of Laura.” His song, “Swept Away,” composed for the hit television series, Growing Pains, was nominated for an Emmy.

Cross started his own label and, since 2007, has released 8 albums of new material, including A Christopher Cross Christmas and The Café Carlyle Sessions, jazz treatments of hits and favorites born out of a residency at the famous Hotel Carlyle in New York City. Take Me as I Am, released in 2018, features richly-crafted melodies and elegant guitar work. The latest project for Christopher Cross Records is aptly titled The Complete Works. Released in 2020, it celebrates his 40th anniversary as a recording artist and is a collection of all 12 previously-released CDs, one CD of singles and bonus tracks, and a pink vinyl containing one track from each album chosen by Christopher.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 40th Anniversary tour, he is once again performing the carefully-crafted songs and music his fans enjoy, starting with “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind” from his Grammy-winning debut album and continuing through the decades of his ever-changing but always excellent material. Concert dates can be found on the tour section of his website, www.christophercross.com.

All in all, it’s been quite a ride, one that has taken Cross from his early days in Texas where he once served as a drum tech for Ginger Baker, bought gear from Jimmy Page, and played lead guitar for Deep Purple on a night when Ritchie Blackmore fell ill, to this place as a respected singer-songwriter-guitar player who continues to share his original music with the world.

Playing is the joy and satisfaction of touring, but it comes with the hard part — travel, the endless miles on a bus. There’s no dodging the wear and tear, and Little Feat has been playing for quite a while.

With tongue stuck somewhat in cheek, Little Feat announces “The Last Farewell Tour,” which will begin in April 2026.

It’s definitely not an absolute, never-gonna-play again statement. This wind-down will take several years to accomplish, and while it does, Feat will continue to perform and record as long as they are able. It’s a retirement from the travel of touring.

Little Feat began in 1969 when Frank Zappa told Lowell George he should start his own band. As Lowell happened to have a pretty small shoe size, the name became obvious. He found a partner/keyboard player in Bill Payne and a drummer in Richie Hayward.

After a few transitions, they added Kenny Gradney (bass), Sam Clayton (percussion), Paul Barrere (guitar) and eventually Fred Tackett (guitar), and began a now 56-year journey that has produced dozens of songs – “Dixie Chicken,” “Oh, Atlanta,” “Willin’,” “Fat Man in the Bathtub” – and a thousand memories. One result was one of the best live albums in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, Waiting for Columbus.

The road (see above!) is hard, and it cost them first Lowell George in 1979, Richie Hayward in 2010, and Paul Barrere in 2019. The everlasting Little Feat groove demanded playing, and they added Scott Sharrard (guitar) and Tony Leone (drums), and may well be playing at the very height of their powers, recently releasing a well-received album of original material, Strike Up the Band. Their inimitable blend of rock, New Orleans swamp boogie, jazz, and blues is not only unique but an ongoing source of delight.

Feat has an incredible legacy of music and the celebration that comes with it, and the near future will see them honoring their own past with more playing.

But it’s time to give the trusty tour bus, however comfy, a rest.

Live in Concert

Admission is free. Fill out the ticket form and your tickets will be emailed to you.

Members of the Montgomery community are invited to a free special screening of “The Skin You’re In”, a poignant documentary that addresses the stark reality that Black Americans live sicker and die younger than any other ethnic group in the nation. 

Why is this happening? The Skin You’re In investigates this phenomenon from various angles. Through discussions with leading health experts and researchers we bring light to the realities of the issue and highlight health problems firsthand in the everyday lives of Black families telling their stories. We meet extraordinary individuals who are indeed valued health experts — people taking positive action to heal their lives, their families, and their communities.

After the screening, there will be a Q&A session featuring Writer and Executive Producer Thomas LaVeist, along with two men from the film who share their personal stories. This discussion will provide deeper insights into how history, policy, and personal narratives intersect to shape today’s health outcomes.

This film includes themes such as death, discrimination, racism, and gun violence, which may be distressing or triggering for some viewers. The film explores deeply personal and often challenging issues. They reflect lived experiences and may present perspectives different from our own.

Trailer

Film website:  www.tsyi.org

Experience the magic of the holiday season with Montgomery Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker!

This beloved ballet, featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, will transport you to a world of enchantment and festive wonder. Perfect for families and ballet lovers alike, this timeless classic is sure to inspire the holiday spirit.

Creating and recording new music is often considered the lifeblood of any band — an ethos AOR torchbearers Styx continue to embody with the release of Circling From Above, the 18th studio album in their formidable catalog. Spanning 13 tracks, the album navigates the complexities of the human experience through the intersecting lenses of technology and nature.

The album, the band’s third in eight years, delivers a 41-minute, end-to-end listening experience that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating. A masterclass in storytelling, it blends signature Styx hallmarks with bold steps forward — building on the creative momentum of recent releases The Mission (2017) and Crash of the Crown (2021).

Driven by the kinetic energy of lead single “Build and Destroy,” the album is immediately available to fans at StyxWorld.com, the Universal Music Webstoreand all tour stops of Styx’s “Brotherhood of Rock” tour, which kicks off tonight in Greenville, S.C. The album’s official public release date is set for July 18.

Styx has remained a touring juggernaut for the past 25 years, but according to guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, the band’s current streak of artistic resurgence in the studio is due to multiple factors tethered to a deep sense of harmony.“

There’s just a lot of positive flow right now,” says Shaw. “There’s a lot of people playing great, and there’s a lot of love, respect and excitement about each other’s talents. Bands can go lifetimes and never have this kind of rapport and chemistry.”

Circling From Above features contributions from all seven members of the band, including founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young (affectionately known as “The Godfather of Styx”), Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, and newest members Will Evankovich (guitars and vocals) and Terry Gowan (bass).

Vulture called ALI SIDDIQ stand-up comedy’s most prolific storyteller.  Born and raised in Houston, TX, Ali’s unique style of stand-up originated behind the walls of incarceration, an incubator for interesting experiences and good stories.  He is the first comedian to ever release a 4-part series of comedy specials, The Domino Effect 1-4, which has over 50 million views combined on YouTube.  In 2022, Ali released two new hour specials, THE DOMINO EFFECT on YouTube and UNPROTECTED SETS on EPIX.  To date, THE DOMINO EFFECT has over 17 million views, ranking it in the top 5 most watched comedy specials of 2022.  In May 2023, Ali released THE DOMINO EFFECT part 2: LOSS, the sequel to his viral stand-up special, which already has over 9.5 million views.  In 2024, Ali released two more specials in the series.  THE DOMINO EFFECT part 3: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL premiered on YouTube in May with over 9.5 million views , and THE DOMINO EFFECT part 4: PINS & NEEDLES premiered on YouTube in June with over 8.5 million views to date.  In 2025, Ali released two more specials and Executive Produced another.   Ali Siddiq presents Marcus D. Wiley: Marriage is Major Surgery premiered on YouTube Feb 12 with over 4 million views currently.   MY TWO SONS premiered on YouTube May 11^th and currently has 9.5 million views.  RUGGED premiered on YouTube June 15^th and has over 5.5 million views to date.  All three specials released in 2025 rank in the top 10 most watched comedy specials of the year. 

People received their first taste of Ali Siddiq when he appeared on HBO’s DEF COMEDY JAM and LIVE FROM GOTHAM, and in 2013 he was named Comedy Central’s “#1 Comic to Watch”.  In 2014, Ali impressed comedy enthusiasts by displaying his ability to captivate an audience with his “Mexicans Got On Boots” tale, a descriptive storytelling, with over 18 million views, of a prison riot on THIS IS NOT HAPPENING, the first of three appearances.  His stories continued with his HALF HOUR special, which premiered on Comedy Central in the Fall of 2016.  Immediately following the premier of that special, Comedy Central offered Ali an hour-special where he performed for inmates live in a Texas jail, sending Ali back to where it all started. The hour special, Ali Siddiq: It’s Bigger Than These Bars, premiered in February 2018 on Comedy Central and has over 4 million views on YouTube.  In 2019, Ali was a top 5 finalist on NBC’s BRING THE FUNNY.  He also appeared as a regular cast member on the reboot of PUNK’D for Quibi.

Additionally, Ali has appeared on several popular podcasts and TV shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Club Shay Shay, The Breakfast Club, 85 South, Kill Tony, VladTV, Good Morning America, Uncle Joey’s Joint with Joey Diaz, Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank, Bertcast, Are You Garbage, Your Mom’s House and many others. 

The Beauty and Wonder of China Before Communism

Shen Yun’s grand production immerses you in stories and legends that shaped Chinese culture for millennia. It’s a world where maidens danced with ethereal grace and generals fought with explosive athleticism, where timeless tales of valor and virtue were born, and where heaven and earth intersected, making even magic possible.

Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with patented multimedia effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a glorious and spiritual civilization of unrivaled beauty, artistry, and inspiration.  

“Beautiful! There was something pure and bright and very dignified about them. The show gave me real sense of goodness and meaning in life.”
—Anna Liceica, soloist, American Ballet Theater

“This is the best I have ever seen. It was so uplifting. It spoke to everything that is good in this world.”
— Glen Duncan, Grammy Award-winning musician

From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get the Led Out (GTLO) has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before. Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO recreates the songs in all their depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. When you hear three guitars on the album…GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants…a high energy Zeppelin concert with an honest, heart-thumping intensity. 

Dubbed by the media as “The American Led Zeppelin,” Get The Led Out offers a strong focus on the early years. They also touch on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert. GTLO also includes a special “acoustic set” with Zep favorites such as “Tangerine” and “Hey Hey What Can I Do.” 

GTLO has amassed a strong national touring history, having performed at major club and PAC venues across the country, including eleven straight years of headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater. 

Band Members: Paul Sinclair – Lead Vocals, Harmonica; Paul Hammond – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Theremin; Tommy Zamp – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals; Eddie Kurek – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Percussion; Derek Smith – Drums, Percussion; Seth Chrisman – Bass, Vocals

CashBack, based in Birmingham, AL, is arguably the best Johnny Cash tribute band around. Led by Leif Bondarenko, CashBack has been performing their outstanding rendition of Cash classics at venues around the country, since early 2018. The band’s five core members, all veteran players, are: Leif Bondarenko (lead vocals, drums), Gary Edmonds (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals), Eric Onimus (bass guitar), Joshua Green (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals), and Tommy Bowen (trumpet, keyboard, vocals).  And in the tradition of all those great June-and-Johnny duets, the lovely and talented Cheyloe Martin joins the group as special guest vocalist, adding another authentic and exciting dimension to the CashBack experience.

CashBack performs a wide variety of classic Cash songs spanning the “Man In Black’s” 51-year career. Eerily similar to Johnny Cash in his heyday, Bondarenko’s powerful voice is the star of the show, and along with blazing guitars and swingin’ rhythm, never fails to deliver a lively, exciting, even heartwarming performance to the audience. “Everytime CashBack walks out on stage, we want to show our great respect for the legacy of Johnny Cash, while giving the very best performance we can give,” says Bondarenko. “I have no desire to be a Johnny Cash impersonator. I just love the music of Johnny Cash, and try to sing the songs in an honest and sincere manner. I love the vibe and the sounds that Cash and his band created on all those great recordings,” he adds.

Well, we do too! So if you love Johnny Cash, or you just love a great show, don’t miss your next chance to see CashBack!

Remember putting on an album and listening from start to finish?  Relive that moment with a live concert experience unlike any other as The Black Jacket Symphony recreates a select classic album live in its entirety—note for note, sound for sound—plus a full set of greatest hits from the evening’s artist.  Over the past thirteen years, the Black Jacket Symphony has performed over 40 classic rock albums, bringing an incredible night of entertainment to over a million music lovers across the US.  The group of hand-picked musicians changes based upon the album being performed—and no sonic detail is overlooked, with the musicians doing whatever it takes to reproduce the album. It’s a full night of rock and roll magic—plus a visual experience unlike any other. Fans across the country flock to their shows—and once you see one, you won’t miss another!

STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.

Chris Janson is the real deal.
An accomplished, award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter, Janson’s live shows and songwriting have set him on a path of great success.

A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, he has amassed billions of global streams, gold and multi-platinum awards, and more than 10 million in solo artist sales—plus over 15 million in combined sales through hits recorded by other notable artists. These include Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” LOCASH’s “How I’ll Always Be,” Hank Williams Jr.’s “Love This Life,” and more.

Chris is best known for his true-to-self anthems, including five #1 hits:

• “Buy Me a Boat” (5x Platinum)
• “Fix a Drink” (Platinum)
• “Good Vibes” (Platinum)
• “All I Need Is You”
• “Done” (Gold)

Additional certified hits include:

• “Drunk Girl” (Platinum)
• “Holdin’ Her” (Gold)
• Buy Me a Boat album (Gold)

Janson has received two prestigious NSAI “Top 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” awards, an ACM Award, the iHeartRadio Country Song of the Year Award, and numerous nominations from the ACM and CMA.

A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Chris has mastered more than 10 instruments. Beyond music, he’s a happily married husband and father, actively involved in conservation and philanthropy. He’s a longtime partner of Bass Pro Shops and an official partner of the nationally branded Crav’n Flavor.

From small-town roots to big-time success, Chris Janson dreamed big, won big, and proudly lives the American dream.

Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable evening featuring a screening of the beloved classic A Christmas Story followed by a moderated interview and audience Q&A from its iconic star Peter Billingsley, a.k.a. Ralphie! Relive the Christmas classic on the big screen through all the hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments. Following the film, Peter Billingsley – the actor who immortalized Ralphie – takes center stage for an intimate and nostalgic conversation about his experiences making this holiday classic, his unique behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments, and how the movie has remained a cultural phenomenon for decades. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions during this rare appearance, making it a truly interactive celebration for fans of all ages and generations.