Singer/songwriter John Waite whose career spans more than three decades and numerous hit singles will perform at the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, Mass., on Friday, Sept. 16^th at 8 p.m. with special guest Leslie DiNicola. This will be Waite’s first appearance in Plymouth. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Inspired by British blues-bands like Free, Small Faces and Humble Pie, Waite got his start as the lead singer and bassist of The Babys, giving his unmistakable voice to the Top 20 hits “Isn’t It Time?” and “Every Time I Think of You.” After five albums, Waite moved to New York to go solo during the early 1980’s. His first solo album, “Ignition,” boasted the MTV/rock radio staple “Change” which was followed by the #1 rock ballad “Missing You.” The song topped the international charts and today remains a radio staple around the globe. Waite returned to the top of the charts during a two-album tenure as front man for the pop/rock super group Bad English whose number one single “When I See You Smile,” sparked sold out concert tours and a succession of Billboard Top 40 hits. After Bad English disbanded, Waite returned to solo work.

An impressive live performer, Waite is touring in support of his latest solo EP release “The Wooden Heart.” For his show at The Spire Center, Waite will be performing hits from his solo career, Bad English and The Babys, as well as stories and a Q&A. Tickets are on-sale now by clicking HERE.

The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth. The venue features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience.

Legendary singer-songwriter Rita Coolidge is about to embark on a U.S. tour that will make a stop at the Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, MA, on June 20, 2016. It is the artists only tour date in Massachusetts and The Spire is thrilled to present her! Click HERE to purchase tickets.

Coolidge’s credentials are the stuff of legend. After earning a degree in art at Florida State University, the Tennessee native decided to give music a shot before settling into a career as an art teacher. She moved to Memphis and was soon singing jingles, demos and background vocals for a number of area bands. Among them was a husband and wife duo, Delaney & Bonnie. When the pair signed their record deal, Coolidge suddenly found herself on big-time pop music’s leading edge. Her reputation as an A-list backup singer spread quickly. Joe Cocker enlisted her in that role and as a featured soloist on his Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. (Rita performed a song she’d co-written, “Superstar,” which would later be a huge hit for The Carpenters.) Work with other rock royalty followed, including tours and recordings with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and Stephen Stills.

Coolidge released more than a dozen albums in the years to follow, including 1978’s Anytime…Anywhere, which was certified multi-platinum.  Several of her singles would become classics; “We’re All Alone,” “Higher And Higher” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do” all qualify as “career” songs.  She’s performed with high-profile pals like George Harrison, Roger Waters, Robbie Robertson and Jimmy Buffett.  In 1973, Coolidge married singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson.  During their eight-year union the pair teamed up for a number of hits and was twice named Country Duo of the Year.  Her “Love Came For Me” appeared on the soundtrack of the movie Splash, while “All Time High” was the theme for the James Bond thriller Octopussy. Furthermore, her song “Heart Don’t Fail Me Now” (with Lee Greenwood) was used as a recurring theme for the CBS daytime drama As The World Turns.

Coolidge was recently featured in the April 4, 2016, issue of People Magazine. Click HERE to read the story.

The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth. The venue features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience.

Boston, MA (March 28, 2016) – Citi Performing Arts Center and MSG Entertainment announced today that legendary American rock band, BOSTON, will take the Wang Theatre stage on Sunday, August 14, for the final show of their 40th anniversary tour.  This much anticipated performance will be the first BOSTON concert in decades in their namesake city. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 10 a.m.

The 40th anniversary BOSTON tour promises to be a celebration honoring the group’s loyal fans, where they can expect to hear all the classic songs they have grown to love. Many of them have supported BOSTON since 1976 when their debut album, Boston, first hit the airwaves and took rock radio by storm, so it’s not surprising to see concert audiences that span generations. Always a huge crowd pleaser with their high-energy stage shows, out-of-this-world sound, and remarkable musicianship and singing, BOSTON prides itself on performing a totally live show without the use of pre-recorded music or technical enhancements, delivering the extraordinary sound that is faithful to their studio recordings.  Tom Scholz also promises some amazing new electrifying visuals that will surprise and delight BOSTON’s fans.

“I’m very excited to bring BOSTON back to Boston,” said founder, chief songwriter and producer Tom Scholz.  “Music broadcast from Boston got me interested in rock when I was in high school living in Toledo, Ohio.  Later, studying and working in this city taught me everything I needed to know to create BOSTON’s sound in my studio.  Our home town fans have always been great, and I could think of no better way to end our 40th Anniversary Tour than back here in Boston where it all started.”

“More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” and “Smokin’,” rock radio staples that are still in heavy rotation today. Their second album, Don’t Look Back, was another chart-topper that cemented their place in rock history, followed by Third Stage, which hit #1 on the charts fueled by the top single of 1986, “Amanda.” With over 31 million albums sold to date, BOSTON has stood the test of time.

Tickets are available at the Citi Performing Arts Center Box Office, Citicenter.org, by phone at 800.982.ARTS and via Ticketmaster.

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Iris DeMent makes her debut performance at the Spire Center in Plymouth, Mass, on April 7th, 2016. Purchase tickets HERE.

The 55-year-old blends elements of country and folk music to produce heartfelt and moving songs. Beginning with her 1992 debut, Infamous Angel, which was hailed as “an essential album of the 1990’s” by Rolling Stone, DeMent released a series of stellar records that established her as “one of the finest singer-songwriters in America” according to The Guardian.

The music earned her multiple Grammy nominations, as well as the respect of peers like John Prine, Steve Earle, and Emmylou Harris, who all invited her to collaborate. Merle Haggard dubbed her “the best singer I’ve ever heard,” and David Byrne and Natalie Merchant famously covered her song “Let The Mystery Be.”

Additionally, her song “Our Town” was used in the closing scene and credits for the series finale of Northern Exposure in July 1995. DeMent also appeared in and was included in the soundtrack for the 2000 film Songcatchers.

Her most recent studio album, Trackless Woods, is a breathtaking pairing of piano and voice with timeless melodies that are deeply rooted in the American South.

The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth. The venue features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience.

Advance tickets are available through the venue’s website, spirecenter.org, or by calling 508-746-4488.

FAQ – Music Awards 2016 (Revised on January 16, 2016)

Limelight Magazine is committed to supporting the local music scene of New England with its annual music awards ceremony which is held in the late winter or early spring. Each year dozens of musicians have been recognized for their immense creativity and talent.

These are the questions we typically get asked with the answers to them. Please read this over before contacting us.

When and where is the 2016 Limelight Magazine Music Awards?
The 8th Annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards will be held at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth, MA, on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 7 PM.

How long does the ceremony typically last?
The ceremony typically runs between three and four hours.

Is it all ages?
The Limelight Magazine Music Awards is an all-ages event.

Is there beer and wine?
Beer and wine is available for purchase at The Spire.

Is there food?
Light refreshments and homemade goodies will be available for purchase.

Is parking free?
Parking is free across the street from the venue.

How much are tickets?
Tickets are $11 in advance and $13 day of show. Please visit brownpapertickets.com or spirecenter.org to purchase them.

How does a musician get nominated?
The nominating process is completely fan driven, with the exception of “Song of the Year” and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” which is nominated by radio DJs who support the local music scene. For two weeks in early February (Feb. 1-14), we solicit nominations each day for a specific category. Nominations can be e-mailed to limelightmusicawards@gmail.com. We only accept nominations by e-mail. The top seven musicians for each category are placed on the ballot for public voting. If we fail to receive at least seven different nominations, we drop the category for that year. Please like our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/limelightmagazine to stay up-to-date. Due to the high volume of nominations we receive, all nominations must be in the subject of the e-mail. Only one nomination per e-mail.

What are the categories for the Limelight Magazine Music Awards?
The categories for 2016 are: Album of the Year (Group), Album of the Year (Solo), Band of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Country Artist of the Year, Debut Album of the Year (NEW), Female Vocalist of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Metal Act of the Year, Singer-Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Tribute Band of the Year, Video of the Year (Group), Video of the Year (solo), and Young Performer of the Year.
The following special awards are also presented: Legend Award (given to an artist from New England who has been around for at least 25 years and is going strong today) and Unsung Hero Award (given to a musician from New England who made a contribution in the lives of others without asking for anything in return). These are decided by the staff of Limelight Magazine.

Are there any restrictions on who can be nominated?
Anyone one who has received an award in a specific category last year is ineligible to be nominated for that same award this year, unless it is for new music. For example, the act who won Tribute Band of the Year in 2015 is ineligible to receive that award in 2016. However, the group who won Album of the Year in 2015 is eligible to be nominated in 2016 if they have a new studio album out. (Runner ups can be nominated since they didn’t win).

Will I be notified of my nomination?
You will be contacted by Limelight Magazine either by e-mail or through Facebook before public voting begins.

When does public voting begin and end?
Public voting runs for one week. It begins on Saturday, February 27, at noon and ends on Friday, March 4, at 11:45 PM.

How many times can someone vote?
Only four votes per I.P. address count. The system allows you to vote more than this but only the first four votes will count.

I’ve been nominated for an award, can I perform at the awards ceremony?
Between eight and ten artists will be randomly selected from all the nominees and asked to perform at the awards show.

I’ve been selected to perform, does this mean I’ve won an award?
Once again, you’ve been randomly selected to perform. This does not mean that you’ve won an award.

Do nominees have to pay for tickets?
Unfortunately, we have to charge everyone who attends, except the musicians who are performing at the awards ceremony. It is our hope to one day get enough sponsors to cover our overhead costs but that hasn’t happened as of yet. All proceeds from the awards show go toward our efforts to support and promote the local music scene in New England.

Are the musicians who’ve won an award told beforehand?
No. The winners are only announced at the awards ceremony, with the exception of the special award (i.e. Legend, Unsung Hero) recipients.

I have a gig or another commitment on the night of the music awards, can you please tell me if I’ve won?
No. Unfortunately, secrets are never kept and we abide by our own rules. If you cannot attend and no one can accept on your behalf, we will notify you on the following day and your award can be picked up at a mutually agreeable location.

I have a medical emergency and I’m going in for surgery on the day of the music awards, can you please tell me if I’ve won?
Under no circumstances will we reveal the winners ahead of time.

I’m unable to attend the music awards ceremony. Will I find out if I won and how can I pick up my award?
The winners will be announced on our website the day after the awards show. Anyone who wasn’t in attendance can arrange to pick up the award at the Spire Center on the day of one of their shows. Please contact the Spire directly at foh@spirecenter.org.

How can my business sponsor the Limelight Magazine Music Awards?
We offer two affordable sponsorship packages that range from $150 to $250. Here’s how your business will be showcased through your generous sponsorship.

Package #1: $150
• Your business will be featured on the online poll. We’re once again expecting over 40,000 votes.
• Your logo (or business name) will be placed on all promo materials for the music awards, including posters, flyers and web-based ads.
• Your logo (or business name) will be placed in any handouts for the event.
• At least one mention per week until the music awards on our Facebook pages. We reach over 5,000 people.

Package #2: $250
• All of the above, plus:
• A clickable sidebar ad on our website, limelightmagazine.com, that will run until June 30, 2015. Our website typically gets over 3,500 unique visitors per week.
• One ad in our monthly e-blast that is sent to nearly 15,000 people to promote our upcoming events. Our open rate is between 50 and 57 percent and our list keeps growing.

If you are interested in a sponsorship, please contact our publisher, JKB Entertainment Group, by e-mail at jkbbooking@gmail.com by February 19, 2016.

Cheryl Wheeler, a folk icon who must be seen to be appreciated, will perform at The Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, Mass., on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets HERE.

Wheeler is known for her gifted songwriting, beautiful voice, and entertaining stage presence.

Even if you are not already familiar with Wheeler, you’ve probably already heard her music. Mixing keen insight with humor and pathos, her songs have been covered by artists like Peter, Paul and Mary, Suzy Bogguss, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Bette Midler, and more.

From other people’s comments about her, you learn that she is a natural storyteller with a fantastic sense of humor. But until you see her in person, you never really believe what you’ve been told about her. Interestingly enough, almost half of the songs she performs during her shows have never been recorded!

Her first public performance was at a Hootenanny when she was 12. She started writing her own songs when she was 17. Her funny stories between songs reveal her talent for diversity. Each time she tells a story, it will be a little bit different, so even if you’ve heard it before, you still find yourself laughing.

The Spire is located at 25 ½ Court Street in Plymouth. The venue features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details, offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience.

Advance tickets are available through brownpapertickets.com or through the venue’s website, spirecenter.org.