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Michael Grande will be returning to the Arizona Folklore Preserve Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “entertain” as “the ability to hold the attention with something amusing or diverting.” Grande most definitely “holds the attention!”
The Arizona Folklore Preserve, in partnership with the University of Arizona South and Dolan Ellis, Arizona’s official state balladeer, present the concert. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 378-6165.
As an accomplished singer/songwriter, as well as one of the finest guitar players in the world today, he has held his own on stages the world over. Staying at the Grande’s Arabian horse ranch, I have watched as he spends hours perfecting his sets and preparing for concerts — practicing up to 10 hours a day is not unusual. Not eating is not unusual. He seems to be consumed with the project before him, and his only intention is to absolutely entertain his audience.
“People work hard for their money,” he said. “They sit in offices staring at a computer screen, or they break their backs fixing cars or doing some type of manual labor. I know what those manual labor jobs are like. I used to help my father lay carpet. I remember what it was like, just wanting to escape. In New York, at that time, we had the Doo Wop shows, and on Saturday night, I’d go to the Brooklyn Paramount or the RKO Theater, and see entertainers like — The Drifters, The Platters and Dion and the Belmonts. The few hours I spent watching those groups was like a mini-vacation. Work, money problems, and stress just melted away.”
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Michael Grande, guitar in hand, is a force with which to be reckoned. Keeping a melody line, bass lines, chords, and counterpoint all happening simultaneously, it seems as though at least three guitars are being played at once ... but it is all Michael. He ranges from ferocious five-fingered picking, an art in itself, to gentle harmonics. His voice is seductive and appealing, and his songs may bring an audience to tears, or belly-clutching laughter. So, come leave the daily routine behind, and see Grande in concert at the Arizona Folklore Preserve. It really is, according to Michael, for your listening pleasure!
For information about the Arizona Folklore Preserve visit www.arizonafolklore.com. Keeter Stuart, a Western musician and nephew of Stan Jones who wrote the classic Western song, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” will make his debut appearance on Sept. 20 and 21. Either Dolan Ellis, the Preserve’s artist-in-residence, or a guest artist performs at the AFP each Saturday and Sunday afternoon. For information and reservations for the afternoon shows, call preserve at 378-6165, or e-mail reservations@arizonafolklore.com. Admission is only $15 for adults and $6 for children 17 and under.
To get there go six miles south of Sierra Vista on Highway 92 to Ramsey Canyon Road. Turn right (west) on Ramsey Canyon Road, drive 3.3 miles into the canyon, and watch for the AFP entrance to the left.
