Belton, TX – On Thursday, January 26, he University of Mary Hardin-Baylor College of Visual and Performing Arts will host a Highways and Byways concert by bluegrass sensations, The HillBenders. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held the Hughes Recital Hall of Presser Hall at 7:30 p.m.
The Hillbenders will be performing Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, their tribute to the rock opera classic by The Who. The show was conceived and produced by SXSW co-founder and longtime musician/producer Louis Jay Meyers, who endeavored to bring a new perspective to Tommy while paying respect to its creators.
Originally composed by guitarist Pete Townshend as a rock opera that tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy, including his experiences with life and the relationship with his family. The original album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant value". In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Tommy number 96 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Meyers had been looking for the right band to pull off this high wire bluegrass approach for several decades before discovering The HillBenders. With a mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals, The HillBenders bring Pete Townshend’s original vision to life in a new and exciting way.
For more information about UMHB music events, please contact Melanie Brazeal at (254) 295-4678.
