Tag Archives: Ben Sollee

Kentucky native Sollee brings songs, stories to Wealthy Theater stage

Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native will be in concert at The Wealthy Theatre on Sept. 15. (Courtesy of Mallory Cunningham)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Ben Sollee, on his Facebook page (@bensollee), calls himself a “cellist, composer and storyteller” who band’s interests include “community-oriented touring and performances that have some type of lasting impact, whether through support of local organizations or educational opportunities.”

 

He had me interested then and their, so his stated “artists he likes to listen to” being Andrew Bird, Amos Lee and Paul Simon is just icing on the proverbial musical cake.

 

Sollee, with his band Kentucky Native, will bring their music and stories to The Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids for a show Thursday, Sept. 14, for a 7 p.m. show with a yet-to-be named opening act. Tickets are still available.

 

In August, Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native released their self-titled album, described in supplied material as a “collection is a thought-provoking conversation about the practice and art of an ever-evolving American genre … This album is Sollee’s most personally revealing work and a reflection of his native Kentucky.”

 

For a YouTube video of the song “Pieces of You”, from the album, visit here.

 

And the origin of the name of the band, “Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native”? Also from his Facebook page, he was “Born and raised in Kentucky. Learned to play cello in Kentucky. Learned to sing in Kentucky. Still lives in Kentucky… will likely always live in Kentucky.”

 

’Nuff said.

 

The Wealthy Theater is located at 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids. For more informations and ticket, call 616-459-4788 x131 or visit grcmc.org.