Rockabilly opens community concert season

David Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings open up the 2014-2015 season of the Chouteau County Performing Arts on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Montana Agricultural Center in Fort Benton.

The quartet plays rockabilly and boogie woogie covers from the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Chuck Berry and more.

“It’s going to be music people can dance to,” said Wendy Camm of Chouteau County Performing Arts.

Bennett is a pianist, vocalist and clarinetist who has toured since the age of 14. Bennett teams with the Memphis Speed Kings to create rollicking, high-energy rockabilly music.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and Camm encourages people to come early for good seats. There will be room for dancing, she said.

This show kicks off an eight-concert series that includes a variety of acts. Keeping it different is essential to drawing crowds, Camm said.

Upcoming shows include pianist Tien Hsieh on Nov. 18. Hsieh specializes in classical music. Dec. 7 is the CCPA Christmas concert, with music for the whole family. Jonathan Kingham, a Nashville-based artist who blends folk, jazz, country and R&B, performs Jan. 21. Country music duo Pear will provide music for a romantic evening on Feb. 13. Bozeman’s own Two Bit Franks, a bluegrass quintet, performs March 16. Alice Tan Ridley closes out the season. “The America’s Got Talent” finalist brings a five-piece band along with her.

Individual tickets are $15, and season tickets are still available. Season ticket holders also can take advantage of reciprocity programs that allow them to see community concerts in Great Falls, Glasgow, Havre, Helena, Lewistown, Malta, Seeley Lake and Sidney for $5.

For more, visit http://www.fortbenton.com/arts/.