Next NPAC artist known best for 1 song

A lot of performing artists become known for one particular song they sang, wrote, or performed.  They are often referred to as one-hit wonders. Even though that one hit they are known for may have given them the notoriety and perhaps the bankroll they needed, they are probably frustrated that they still are known for only one song.

The same is true for actors.  You can probably think of many TV actors you immediately associate with just one show, even though they may have appeared more often than once.  For those of you old enough to remember, think of what you immediately associate with the following: Gabe Kaplan, James Arness, Rick Springfield,

Okay, now for the answers: “Welcome Back Kotter”, “Gunsmoke”, “Jessie’s Girl”.  All three of these were huge hits. Two were on TV and one was a huge hit song played on the radio and still heard regularly.  As a matter of fact, you can see “Gunsmoke” and occasionally “Welcome Back Kotter” on Classic TV.

There is a performer coming to the Niswonger who is really well known for one particular song, but he has had several others. Try these on for size: “Hooked on a Feeling”, (Hey, Won’t You Play) “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song”, “I Just Can’t Help Believing”, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, “Eyes of a New York Woman”, and “Rock and Roll Lullaby”.  After all these popular songs, the one this guy is mostly known for is a song which was written for a 1969 movie starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid and then later used in Spider Man 2 in 2004.  You’ve probably guessed the song: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”.

If you still have not guessed who this performer is, he is a five-time Grammy winner, two-time Dove award winner (Christian music), has sold more than 70 million records and is ranked in Billboard’s top 50 most played artists over the past 50 years. He has sung with such artists as Randy Travis, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Richard Marx, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Steve Tyrell, and current Broadway and soundtrack phenom Sara Niemetz.

If you listen to this guy’s music, you will notice that, in addition to the guitars, bass, and drums, you will also hear strings and wind instruments. This is mostly in recording sessions that you hear the complete package. This is the final product you hear in the recordings you have fallen in love with over the years. Cost usually prohibits you from hearing this music live. However, in this case come Saturday, February 27, you will get the rare opportunity to hear this performer with all the sounds at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

The performer? B.J. Thomas!  I imagine you knew who I was talking about when I mentioned “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head”. Geez!  This song even made it in the Rotary International songbook, it’s such a classic!  As I take a look at the ticket ticker, we have sold about 1,000 seats for this concert.  If you don’t want to miss out on this rare opportunity of hearing all these great songs, backed by B.J’s band and the Lima Symphony Orchestra, I suggest you contact the box office or go online soon to secure your tickets.  It will be another memorable night with a legendary singer and a full stage full of other musicians.

Of course, I just have to say that we hope the raindrops (or snowflakes) aren’t fallin’ on your head come February 27!  At any rate, it will be warm and cozy in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger. Come on in and join us. You’ll be glad you did!

FINÉ.