Live music from Afinke Orchestra, Junior Brown, Lee Roy Parnell and more


NASHVILLE, TENN.—(May 16, 2007)—Frist Fridays, presented by Fifth Third Bank, the Frist Center’s popular summer concert series, kicks off May 25 with special musical guest, Junior Brown, performing live in the Turner Courtyard. Now in its fifth year, the series, which runs on the final Friday evening of each month through October from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., has quickly become a Nashville tradition, attracting visitors of all ages from Middle Tennessee and beyond. Patrons can enjoy an evening of live music, food and beverages as well as visit the diverse exhibitions on view in the Frist Center’s galleries. Frist Fridays will be offered rain or shine.

Friday, May 25, Junior Brown (www.juniorbrown.com), armed with his now-famous guit-steel – a custom double-necked hybrid of a six-string guitar and lap-steel – takes his audience on a musical journey, performing a rich-layered set that mixes the best of country, blues, Tex-Mex, Western swing, rock and roll and countless other shades of electrified American music. Junior is backed by his outstanding band that includes his wife Tanya Rae on rhythm guitar. Visitors may also view a portrait of Junior Brown that is featured in the exhibition, Jim McGuire: The Nashville Portraits, on view at the Frist Center May 11 through September 9, 2007.

Additional Frist Fridays performers are:

June 29 Webb Wilder (www.webbwilder.com)
Mississippi native Webb Wilder entertains audiences with soulful performances, rich with rock ‘n’ roll and rustic wit and character. The Associated Press describes his live show as “a glorious amalgamation of grunge chords, killer grooves, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins theatrics, a healthy sense of humor, and great pop melodies.”

July 27 Anthony David (www.anthonydavidmusic.com)
Georgia-based singer/songwriter Anthony David creates soulful urban tunes inspired by the human experience. His immaculate blend of blues, R&B, and hip-hop creates a distinct sound that breaks open a new dimension of soul music.

August 31 Lee Roy Parnell (www.leeroyparnell.com)
Lee Roy Parnell, the Texas-born and -bred country hitmaker with an ornery streak of southern rock ‘n’ soul ‘n’ blues in his system, will perform at a special Frist Fridays
co-sponsored by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

September 28 Afinke Orchestra (www.myspace.com/afinkemusic)
Afinke Orchestra brings energy, style, and rhythm to the stage, performing hits of well-known Latin artists such as: El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Grupo Niche, Celia Cruz, Oscar de León, among other stirring revolutionary classics. Taking their infectious grooves and driving rhythm, the 12-piece orchestra has headlined numerous festivals throughout the southeast. The orchestra’s multi-cultural background features members hailing from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Sweden and the Americas.

October 26 Guilty Pleasures
The Guilty Pleasures, featuring Michael “Grimey” Grimes and his rock ‘n’ roll band, launch a non-stop dance party to those 1980’s hits everyone loves to hate! Enjoy this evening with one of Nashville’s long time favorite cover bands.

“Frist Fridays inspires your spirit with the great sounds of talented musicians and views of astounding artwork,” says Connie White, marketing director of Fifth Third Bank. “Fifth Third invites you to visit the Frist Center and enjoy evenings of fun and
fascinating art.”

Admission
Admission to Frist Fridays is free for Frist Center members and to visitors 18 years and younger. General adult admission for non-members is $8.50, $7.50 for seniors and military, and $6.50 for college students with ID.

Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor is Fifth Third Bank; Contributing Sponsors are Junior League of Nashville and Southwest Airlines; Media Sponsors are Nashville Scene and Lightning 100.


The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn., is an art exhibition center dedicated to presenting the finest visual art from local, regional, U.S. and international sources in a program of changing exhibitions. The Frist Center’s Martin ArtQuest Gallery features over 30 interactive stations relating to Frist Center exhibitions. Gallery admission to the Frist Center is free for visitors 18 and under and to Frist Center members. Frist Center admission is $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and military, and $6.50 for college students with ID. Thursday evenings, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., admission is free for college students with a valid college ID. Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more with advance reservation by calling (615) 744-3246. The Frist Center is open seven days a week: Mondays through Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the Café opening at noon. Additional information is available by calling (615) 244-3340 or by visiting our Web site at www.fristcenter.org.