Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will perform for the Circle of Friends Gala at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Avenue, on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m.
Larry Gatlin and his brothers Steve and Rudy have been singing and performing together since they were children. Their performance at the Clark State Performing Arts Center is part of their 60th Anniversary Tour, and they will soon release a new gospel album titled Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers 60th Anniversary Celebration.
"We’re not calling it a farewell or a final tour,” said Larry Gatlin in a recent news release. “We’re calling it the 60th Anniversary Celebration.”
Known for their numerous chart-topping songs, including the Grammy Award winning “Broken Lady,” the Gatlin Brothers have been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry; the trio was also nominated for awards by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the Music City News Awards.
The Gala, sponsored by Kapp Construction and Security National Bank, will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the Founder’s Award Program.
Plato and Tina Pavlatos were selected as this year’s Founder’s Award recipients. “They are the original and loyal sponsor of the unique Club Kuss Series. They truly value and support the Performing Arts Center’s role in the community,” said Kristin Culp, vice president of advancement at Clark State.
The Circle of Friends created the Founder’s Award in 2004 to recognize and honor those individuals and businesses who have contributed significantly to the success and sustainability of the Performing Arts Center. The honoree is presented with a sculpture by Michael Major; it combines some of the mass shapes of the Performing Arts Center to create a performing figure, celebrating generous giving and artistic excellence.
The Circle of Friends Committee conducts education, fundraising and public relations programs to benefit the Clark State Performing Arts Center. The Committee is comprised of members of the Clark State Foundation Board and community members.
“The Performing Arts Center enriches individual and community lives through access to quality arts, education and community events,” said Don Lynam, chairman of the Circle of Friends Committee. “The Circle of Friends is a membership organization that exists to support the mission of the Performing Arts Center through the development of financial resources and the promotion of a positive awareness of the Center and its programs to further enrich the close relationship between the Center and the community.”
Tickets for the Gatlin Brothers show range in price from $35-$75 and will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 10. Tickets for both the dinner and the show are $125. Tickets can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center ticket office or by calling (937) 328-3874 or toll free 866-PAC-TKTS (722-8587), or online at http://www.pactkts.com.
Past Founder’s Award Recipients
2004 Richard Kuss – Albert Salerno – Harry M. Turner
2005 Fred Leventhal
2006 John Field
2007 Jim Foreman
2008 Dwight W. and Jane P. Hollenbeck
2009 James H. and Nike D. Lagos
2010 Security National Bank
2011 David Hartley and David Hobson
2012 Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Thalia Pavlatos
2013 Dr. Karen E. Rafinski
2014 Randy Kapp