“BRIDGES,” ROGER HOARD, T-BONE SMITH & MORE TAKE THE STAGE AT TOWNGATE MAY 23

WHEELING, W.Va. (May 5, 2009)— Acoustic and soft rock band “Bridges” along with special musical guests take the Towngate stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23 to close the 2009 Towngate Spotlight series.

Bridges, featuring Kim Butler, Doug Pettit and Dave Pettit, will be accompanied by Fabulous Bender Boys Roger Hoard on guitar, Mike Mazure on bass and Chad Smith on drums as well as many talented special guests including Joe Mastracci, Cheryl Ann Hawk and Tristen “T-Bone” Smith, who performed at Jamboree in the Hills for the past two years and recently performed B.B. King’s “Let the Good Times Rolls” during a Brad Paisley concert in Dayton, Ohio.

This talented group of musicians and vocalists will provide an evening of memories, acoustic music and classic rock sounds from artists like the Eagles; the Beatles; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, James Taylor, Little Big Town, Marshall Tucker Band; Van Morrison and more.

During the 1970s, Kim Butler was half of “Kim and Ed,” one of the top musical duos in the tri-state area. Playing the club circuit, the duo performed at popular Wheeling nightspots as well as clubs in Pittsburgh and the Holiday Inn circuit throughout the Midwest. Their performance style earned them the opportunity to open for major acts including, “Little Anthony and the Imperials,” “The Ink Spots” and “The Stories.”

Butler, an exercise physiology instructor at Ohio University Eastern, remains active in the Ohio Valley music scene, and each year gathers his talented friends for an evening of entertainment at Towngate.

“The quality of musicians joining me for this show is tantamount to anywhere in the country,” Butler explained. “I feel lucky to share the stage with these talented musicians.”

Featuring some of the Ohio Valley’s most versatile and entertaining musicians, Towngate Spotlight performances take place when live theater is not in production.

“This is a great show to close out the season,” Oglebay Institute director of performing arts Kate Crosbie said. “These musicians are the cream of the crop, and people will have the opportunity to see them play together on one stage.”

Don’t miss this chance to unwind with an evening of great music in a great atmosphere. No reservations are taken for Towngate musical shows. Tickets will be available at the door only, so arrive early for best seats.

Each show lasts about two hours and refreshments are available.

Towngate Theatre is located at 2118 Market St. in Wheeling’s historic Center Market district and parking is either curbside or in the nearby Center Market garage.

Admission is $10. Members of Oglebay Institute receive a discount. Call 304.242.7700 for more information.