Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys plus the Gin Palace Jesters

Chuck Mead (formerly of BR549 and the musical director of “Million Dollar Quartet”) brings his Grassy Knoll Boys to FitzGerald’s April 13

Berwyn, Ill.—After leading several popular ‘80s cult bands in and around his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, Chuck Mead landed on Nashville’s Lower Broadway where he co-founded the famed ‘90s alternative country quintet BR549. The band’s seven albums, three Grammy nominations and the Country Music Association Award for Best Overseas Touring Act would build an indelible bridge between authentic American Roots music and millions of fans worldwide. With BR on hiatus, Chuck formed The Hillbilly All-Stars featuring members of The Mavericks, co-produced popular tribute albums to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, guest-lectured at Vanderbilt University, and became a staff writer at one of Nashville’s top song publishers. In 2009, he released his acclaimed solo debut album, “Journeyman’s Wager,” and toured clubs, concert halls and international rock, country and rockabilly festivals with his band The Grassy Knoll Boys.

As music director for the Broadway smash Million Dollar Quartet, Chuck began crafting the music arrangements during the show’s original Daytona and Seattle workshop productions, supervised the musical performances for its 2008 Chicago opening, created new music material for the show’s Tony-winning Broadway run, produced the original cast album, and oversaw the music for its smash 2011 premiere at London’s Noël Coward Theatre.  http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/

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"Chicago's original honky-tonk fools," the Gin Palace Jesters are purveyors of the finest in hard-hitting hillbilly, honky-tonk, country boogie and Western swing. Infused with a deep and sincere fondness for all traditional American musical styles, the sound of the Gin Palace Jesters could best be described as being akin to the sounds of country music's golden age. Although a portion of their live performances comes from their vast catalog of the Hillbilly & Country Hit Parade, these boys are not mere followers or imitators. They also possess the talent of three songwriters performing original novelty numbers, heartfelt love songs, honky-tonk weepers, drinking songs and dark ballads. Delivering three and four part harmony, the Gin Palace Jesters prove that authentic country and cowboy music can still hold validity in both traditional songs as well as brand new originals.  http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=hbillswingring;id=8;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eginpalacejesters%2Ecom%2F

The music begins at 9 p.m. April 13 with an opening set by the Gin Palace Jesters, followed by Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys. Tickets are $12 and available at FitzGerald’s and TicketWeb http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=32814&pl=

For more information on FitzGerald’s, go to http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/.