Exceptional vocal entertainment representative of nearly every music genre will be on display at Showcase Orangeburg 2008 -- Celebrating Music USA, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Stevenson Auditorium.

Since 1983, Showcase Orangeburg has been the premier event of the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, which will be held at Edisto Memorial Gardens Friday through Sunday, May 2-4. The Southeast Tourism Society has named the Orangeburg Festival of Roses one of the Top 20 Tourism Events in the Southeast. While the festival features events like a river race, sports tournaments and continuous entertainment on outdoor stages, the thousands of blooming roses nestled along the Edisto River are the main attraction.

"Showcase Orangeburg sets the energetic pace for the Orangeburg Festival of Roses," said Showcase Orangeburg Director Jacqueline Skubal. "The performers are very professional and entertaining, and people are always impressed with the abundance of local talent. Showcase Orangeburg is one of Orangeburg's finest and most popular productions."

Beth Thomas, executive director of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, said the format for Showcase Orangeburg includes a broad spectrum of live entertainment.

"Many people come every year and always look forward to Showcase Orangeburg," Thomas said. "Because our audience is so diverse, we are presenting a wider variety of music. Having musicians on stage instead of 'canned music' and exceptionally talented performers will make for an evening of great entertainment."

Tickets are available at the arts center for $10 each and, if still available, can be purchased at the door the evening of the event. For more information, call the OCFAC at 803-536-4074.

Funding assistance for Showcase Orangeburg is being provided by the City of Orangeburg Accommodations Tax Fund and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"As a fund-raiser for the Fine Arts Center, proceeds from this performance primarily help support our children's art classes," Thomas said. "This summer, we will hold six weeks of children's classes and a six-session pottery course for adults. Fund-raisers, such as Showcase Orangeburg, help keep fees to a minimum in order to allow participation by all interested children."

Thursday night's Showcase Orangeburg will include performances by the following artists:

Russ T. Fender

A 20-year veteran of the radio airwaves, Russ T. Fender will serve as emcee of Showcase Orangeburg.

"Showcase Orangeburg is a wonderful opportunity for people to hear an eclectic mix of some of the finest homegrown talent," Fender said. "I feel honored to be able to serve again this year as 'the voice' of one of the most exciting productions to grace the stage of the Stevenson Auditorium."

Fender's voice is a familiar one across the Midlands and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. Fender, an operations manager for three radio stations in a 10-station Miller Communications Group, is heard daily as host of three radio shows in as many different markets on classic- and soft-rock formats.

A 17-time award winner for radio production, copy writing and on-air performance, Fender is also a member of the Orangeburg Part-Time Players. He has performed in OPTP productions like "Godspell," "Little Shop of Horrors," "Man of LaMancha" and "Of Mice and Men."

David Cooler with Bubba Cooler and James Griffith

David Cooler has appeared on many East Coast stages, and his repertoire includes country, pop and Southern rock. A multi-talented singer, musician and song writer, David Cooler is gaining a nationwide audience through the promotion of his latest CD, "Country To The Bone."

A Bamberg native, Cooler says he enjoys "getting his music out to the people," and his latest CD is sending the story lines of true-life experiences across the airwaves and into the hearts of the American people.

Cooler plays a number of musical instruments -- including the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard -- and writes his own songs. Cooler's signature song, "Dog Huntin' Man," has gained the support of the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, which has provided many opportunities for the artist to share his music. Cooler will perform the tune at Showcase Orangeburg.

Bubba Cooler and James Griffith, two fun-loving guys who enjoy playing bass and drums, will join David Cooler on stage as musicians at Showcase Orangeburg.

Eden Elizabeth Graves

A 10th-grader at Orangeburg Preparatory Schools, Eden Graves is a talented singer who enjoys performing solos at church and for special occasions.

"I greatly enjoy singing gospel music at my church, Livingston United Methodist Church, and performing with Showcase Orangeburg," Graves said. "I believe people should use their God-given talents to bless others."

The daughter of Clint and Tammy Graves, and sister of Evan, Eden Graves lives with her family in North.

"I encourage people to attend Showcase Orangeburg for a wonderful night of entertainment," the young performer said.

Matt Quay

When Showcase Orangeburg opens May 1, count on having a rockin' good time when Matt Quay takes center stage. Quay is well-known in the Orangeburg area, having performed for the past 14 years with a number of singing and acting groups. He is noted for his performances with the Orangeburg Part-Time Players in musical and non-musical roles and for fronting local rock bands Wednesday Jones and Stone Angel.

A talented vocalist and versatile performer, Quay has appeared as Jesus in the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," a role he will reprise in June when OPTP stages the hit musical again in June; Juan Peron in "Evita"; the Padre in "Man of La Mancha"; and Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Quay also sang baritone with The Quartet Five.

The Flame Within

The Flame Within, composed of Karyn Johnson, Janice McCollom and Yvette McDaniel, are Ultramacs artists who enjoy a large following that appreciates the group's unique vocals.

Johnson, an actor and educator from Orangeburg, is the soprano for the trio. She is a member of the Henderson-Davis Players and has been a featured player in "Hair" and "The Birds." She has performed at Dock Street Theatre in Charleston and at Trustus and Longstreet theaters in Columbia.

McCollum is the alto voice of the group. A grants writer from Orangeburg, McCollum has been a radio personality for a number of stations along the Eastern seaboard. Her musical abilities continue to develop through directing and singing in church ensembles. Active in regional and national levels of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, McCollum said she enjoys coordinating pageants and other events for the sorority and other civic and academic organizations that foster finer women.

McDaniel, a classical soprano with The Flame Within, appeared in the very first Showcase Orangeburg and continues to perform for charitable organizations. She has performed as a concert, symphonic and operatic soloist throughout the United States and Europe. McDaniel made her operatic debut in Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and has been a featured soprano for masterworks including Verdi's "Requiem" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9." She is the founder and CEO of Ultramacs Entertainment, an artist development company.

The Pinehill Ramblers

Described as a "diverse group of talented musicians," The Pinehill Ramblers are dedicated to keeping bluegrass music alive. This local group is composed of Carl Williams, Gary Joyner, Hugh Fanning and Robert Templeton.

The Pinehill Ramblers have expanded their musical taste beyond the scope of traditional Bluegrass music to include original and contemporary tunes as well as quartet-style gospel tunes. The group also takes pride in their presentation of lesser-known songs as well as adding new and unique touches to Bluegrass classics.

The original assemblage of The Pinehill Ramblers came about in 1987, and two of the original members remain with the group today. The current band members provide vocals and swap leads and harmonies, and the diversity offers a touch of something new and appealing to each song. Their upcoming performance at Showcase Orangeburg will demonstrate their ability to sing difficult harmony and play a variety of musical instruments such as fiddle, lead and rhythm guitar, mandolin, banjo and upright acoustic bass.

Casey Gentry

R&B solo artist Casey Gentry brings to her audiences the heart of her message, transforming each listening experience into a showcase designed for the individual. Gentry has performed throughout the Southeast and was a featured artist in Christmas in Haiti 2007.

Gentry, as a member of Divas by Design, has opened for performers such as Regina Bell and The Stylastics. She is also an Ultramacs artist.

Dileatha Washington

Dileatha Washington is a classically trained jazzist from Walterboro. She has been featured with the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Augusta Symphony as a guest soloist and has made her mark as a jazzist in England and France.

Washington's studies with Ellis Marsalis garnered the coveted position of front vocalist for several New Orleans appearances with such greats as Victor Goines and Alvin Battiste. Washington is a founding member of the contemporary Christian ensemble, Trinity, with which she still performs.

AJA Nesmith

A talented singer and dancer, AJA Nesmith says she wants to "bring a new image and new sound to the game."

The Richmond, Va., native has begun recording with Ultramacs camp writer and producer, Tay Trav Palmer and Bowen McDaniel, and performing with popular hip-hop artists.

Nesmith is a national champion dancer, and her voice is noted for its extent, emotion and edge.

Britnie McDaniel

Britnie McDaniel, a music industry ingenue, is the granddaughter of the late James and Myrtle McDaniel, pillars of the education community.

This honor student and college sophomore offers a form of nu hip-hop that belies her youth and thrills audiences. Coming to Orangeburg from Boston, McDaniel has opened for Meshonda, The Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd and others.

McDaniel, an Ultramacs artist, will perform an original number, "Heartbeat," that is scheduled to be released later this summer. As a special treat, she will also spice it up with Eden Graves and AJA Nesmith.

Edisto Drive -- The Band

Described as a small ensemble with a big-band sound, Travis Palmer, Myron Brooker and Jamaar Wilson make up the house band and background vocal ensemble for Showcase Orangeburg. These guys are also session musicians for Ultramacs Entertainment. Palmer and Brooker are producers and arrangers of original and cover tracks for their company, Fiu-jon Production.

Palmer plays percussion and keyboard, and Brooker plays keyboard.

Moesha McDaniel

Twenty-five-year-old Moesha McDaniel began singing in her church choir at Canaan United Methodist Church in Cope at a young age. At 13, she directed her youth and young adult choir and later directed the ensemble choir. McDaniel entered The Consortium, an Orangeburg area program for the arts, when she was in the sixth grade and has also studied piano with Shirley Gooden.

McDaniel was awarded a choir scholarship to Benedict College, where she excelled in jazz, neo-soul, concert music and gospel. She sang at the Vatican for the late Pope and is pursuing a career as a neo-gospel artist with a focus on ministry. At Showcase Orangeburg, McDaniel will perform the hymns "I Surrender All" and "Levites."

T&D Features Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.