McDowell concert set for Saturday
By Staff
John Hicks
FCT Staff Writer
Ronnie McDowell, the singer-songwriter whose 1977 tribute to Elvis Presley launched a career that to date has produced 18 Top 10 singles, returns to Russellville Saturday night for a concert at the historic Roxy Theater.
While McDowell has been closely identified with Presley throughout his career, he said that there were many other artists who inspired him musically.
When not on the road, McDowell resides in Hendersonville, Tenn., not far from Nashville. Hendersonville is famous for the many country music stars who live there. It was also home to the late Johnny Cash.
McDowell tours with his band the Rhythm Kings, performing 80 to 100 shows a year in the U.S. and Canada. It's a family affair, according to McDowell.
McDowell's youngest son, 16-year-old Curb recording artist Tyler Dean, is also a part of the show.
Wanda Upchurch of Russellville, chairperson of the concert committee, is more than a casual fan of McDowell's. Upchurch coordinates information for the network of McDowell fan clubs spread across the country.
This will be McDowell's 16th annual performance in Russellville. Proceeds from the concert will go toward renovating and restoring the Roxy Theater.
McDowell also tours with Elvis Presley's original sidemen Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, along with Millie Kirkham and The Jordanaires, in a tribute to Elvis Presley's music.
McDowell sang 36 songs on the soundtrack “Elvis,” the Dick Clark-produced
television movie that featured Kurt Russell as the performer. He also was the singing voice for the television movie “Elvis And Me,” the ABC television series about the early years of Elvis' career titled simply “Elvis,” as well as the 1997 Showtime special “Elvis Meets Nixon.”
Following the death of Presley in 1977, McDowell penned the tribute song “The King Is Gone,” which was released on the independent Scorpion label. The record took off immediately, gaining airplay on country and pop stations across the country and around the world. To date, “The King Is Gone” has sold more than 5,000,000 copies.
McDowell also recorded a duet titled “I Dreamed About Elvis” with Dolly Parton.
McDowell is preparing to begin recording a new country CD.
McDowell, whose career began at the same time that country music began to shed its traditional sound, said that much of what now passes for “country music” is simply rock ‘n' roll.
McDowell noted that acts with a more traditional country sound are also finding fans.
McDowell's solo hits include “Older Women,” “You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation,” “Watchin Girls Go By,” “Personally,” “You Made A Wanted Man Of Me,” “All Tied Up” and “In A New York Minute.”
In 1989, McDowell teamed up with Jerry Lee Lewis for a rocking duet that McDowell wrote titled “You're Never Too Old To Rock ‘N' Roll.”
He also hit the Top 10 with his version of the pop standard “Unchained Melody,” which also became a #1 country music video. McDowell signed with his current label, Curb Records, in 1986.
The singer takes an active role in The Ronnie McDowell Cancer Foundation for Children. McDowell is president of the charity.
In addition to his acclaimed music career, McDowell is also an accomplished painter whose work is shown in fine art galleries. Fans can view his paintings on his official website, www.ronniemcdowell.com.
Tickets for Saturday night's concert are available in Russellville at Abstract &Appraisal Services, Citizens Bank, and Community Spirit Bank. For more information, call Wanda Upchurch at 415-3270.
