They Wrote the a musical tribute

Old Friend Productions Presents:
They Wrote the
SONGS
a musical tribute
“You may not know their names, but you’ve been living their music…”
Lamont Dozier
Carol Bayer Sager
Tom Bell
Bob Gaudio
“They Wrote the Songs.” We grew up with popular music in movies,
on TV, radio and recordings. For those of us who like to read the
notes on an album or CD cover, the names of Carole Bayer Sager,
Thom Bell, Lamont Dozier and Bob Gaudio will be familiar.
These four writers have worked with almost every major recording
artist of their generation. Their songs are still heard routinely and are
often covered by contemporary artists. You may have not known
their names, but you have been living their music.
We have tried to be faithful to the artists’ original version of the songs,
while trying to perform the songs in a soulful and contemporary manner. Through song and narration, this show conveys the genius of four
individuals who created popular American music for over 40 years.
We hope you leave the show with a greater appreciation for the accomplishments and talents of Carol Bayer Sager, Thom Bell, Lamont
Dozier and Bob Gaudio. Now sit back and enjoy the music you’ve
been living!
Opening Medley
It’s the Falling in Love - Swearing to God - Going Back to My Roots- Rubberband Man
Act 1: Carole Bayer
Sager
Act 2: Thom Bell
Groovy Kind of Love
Medley
Medley
Don’t Cry Out Loud
Midnight Blue
The Prayer
Nobody Does It Better
On My Own
I’m Doing Fine Now
I’m Stone in Love with You
I’ll Be Around
Stop Look and Listen to Your
Heart
The Rubberband Man
It’s the Falling in Love
Old Friend
La La La Means I Love You
Act 3: Lamont Dozier
Act 4: Bob Gaudio
Going Back to My Roots
Short Shorts
Bye Bye Baby
Heat Wave
Medley
You Can’t Hurry Love
Give Me Just a Little More
Time
Little Darling
Take Me in Your Arms
Medley
Dawn
December 1963,
Oh What a Night
Swearing to God
C’mon Marianne
Baby Love
My Eyes Adored You
Sight for Sore Eyes
15 min. intermission after Act 2.
For more information:
Lamont Dozier - www.lamontdozier.com
Carole Bayer Sager - www.carolebayersager.com
Thom Bell - www.songwritershallof fame.org/exhibits/bio/C349
Bob Gaudio - www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/bio/C141
Let’s Hang On
David Gonzalez, musical director, bass, started playing bass
professionally at 16. His early success
took him to perform with Something
Special (from the Tom Jones show), as
well as Disco Tex-Sex-o-Lets (Chelsea
Records) with numerous #1 HITS in
USA and around the world.
Germain Brooks,
vocals began singing in her church choir
at age 5. She developed her R & B vocal
style by singing with the church choir.
Maurice Jacox, lead
vocals, is the winner of the Minnesota
Music Academy Jazz Award, Twin City
Pages Best Male Vocalist, and the Blues
Society Best Blues Artist. He is a former
member of the Dudley Riggs Brave New
Workshop, and is an original member of
Willie and the Bees, The Butane Soul
Review and The Soul Tight Committee.
He has worked with the likes of Bonnie
Raitt, Doctor John and the Funk Brothers, and others.
As a teen she helped form the band “The
Girls” which later signed with CBS Records. She later left the group and released a solo record with Atlantic ReIn the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s he continued cords produced by David Z Rivkin.
his career as bass player touring with
Westside/ Kool & The Gang, Troop/MC Germain attended North Central UniverHammer, After 7/Whitney Houston and sity and was a premier soloist in the
The Winnans as well as becoming a repu- North Central chorale and traveled
Maurice also is the featured performer in
table writer/producer for different artists/ abroad as well as the states performing
“Straighten Up and Fly Right” An Unforsingers.
with the choir. She is currently perform- gettable Tribute to Nat King Cole”
ing with The Brian Kinney Band.
Arlys Marie, vocals,
is a versatile performer with experience
in pop, rock, jazz, country, inspirational
pop, Broadway show tunes, ballads and
musical theater.
Jason Craft, keyboards graduated from UW-Eau Claire
with a music degree in 1999. Since then
he has been a full time professional piano
and organ player, performing as a soloist
and with top local and national artists.
He can be found on a regular basis with
all of the best local Twin Cities musicians at many of the local music venues.
He has played with Jason Marsalis, Slide
Hampton, Michael Brecker, Wycleff Jordan, Carl Allen, Cherrelle, Eric Gales,
and several other notable musicians. Jason can be heard on countless recordings,
as his musical talents are frequently
called upon for studio work
Jordan Carlson,
Bob Pontious
Paul Thompson
drums, has been an active perform-er
and teacher in the Twin Cities for the last Old Friend Productions was created by
ten years.
Paul Thompson and Bob Pontious in
2007. Bob was the original musical direcHe currently performs with The BKS
tor for the four shows produced by Old
She has performed throughout the U.S.
Vine, Soul Tight Committee, and Les
Friend, in addition to Straighten Up and
for “The Paul New Show: A Tribute to
Exodus. He has toured the USA and Can- Fly Right, An Unforgettable Tribute to
Elvis,” Lion Heart, Gangbusters, Wild
ada with blues artist Renee’ Austin, and Nat King Cole. Bob’s untimely passing
has backed up international reggae artists in 2010 has left a void, and our shows
George also is a producer and composer Honey & the Locusts, and for Fashion
Group International. Locally, Arlys has
Everton Blender, Sister Carol, Warrior
and runs his own smooth jazz label,
and performances are dedicated to his
performed on Showcase Minnesota and
King, and Sugar Minott.
JRSRECORDS.
memory and musical talent.
has sung the national anthem for the MinContact :
nesota Twins
George’s latest 2010 CD release was
Paulthompson@charter.net
“Test of Time which” was a top 40 selec952.457.3224
tion for 3 months on Cool Jazz
George Scott, lead
guitarist, has long been a major part of
the Minneapolis music scene. Playing
with such bands as Massaratti, The
Sounds of Blackness, Conversation
Piece, The Soul Tight Committee and
The Modd Squad, his rhythm and guitar
tone have become unmistak-able.