CROSSVILLE — The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass (SSSB) has secured their concert dates and venues and are excited to announce their plans for their outstanding events for their 5th anniversary season of providing concerts in Crossville. The 30 piece professional instrumental ensemble is coming off of a very successful 2011/2012 concert series which culminated with their performance with Nashville guest artists Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor last April which drew a record audience of nearly 800. That concert doubled the normal attendance and introduced a significant segment of first time attendees to hear the SSSB who came away extremely impressed with their brand of premium entertainment.

The 2012/2013 ticketed Crossville concert season will include the following dates: fall concert on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at Stone Memorial High School auditorium; winter concert on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. at Stone Memorial High School auditorium; and will conclude with their spring concert on Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church. The Sept. 8 concert is themed "Virtuoso Brass" and will feature the band's own outstanding musicians with a variety of selections which will showcase the talented musicians that make up this ensemble. In addition to this, the SSSB will present a variety of marches, broadway/movie music which will please any audience member.

The Feb. 17 concert is themed "Who's Got JR?" We all remember the big question from the TV hit Dallas, which was "Who shot J.R.?" Well the SSSB have their own bit of suspense, as they are expecting to weave a concert full of music selections from a wide variety of music genres, that will have the audience wondering what can be next! Negotiations with a guest artist are under way, but are not concrete at this time to be able to make that public.

The April 20 concert is themed "Strings Attached!" and will feature as guest artist Pete Huttlinger, who is recognized as a virtuoso acoustic guitar musician. Buddy Greene, who performed last year with the SSSB, personally recommended Pete to band president, Dwight Wages.

"Pete is another internationally known Nashville artist whose technique on the acoustic guitar will amaze our audience. He cut his guitar chops playing with the John Denver band, was the national finger-picking guitar champion, and is a composer of his own music. Pete has a great sense of humor which he mixes into his performances. Nashville artists such as Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, and John Oates (of Hall & Oates) are just a few of his admirers who recognize Pete as an extremely gifted musician," said Dwight. "We are very fortunate to be able to attract guest artists of this caliber. It is a credit to the SSSB, and our audiences who have appreciated having talent like Buddy Greene, Jeff Taylor, and now Pete come to Crossville to share their brand of entertainment."

Season tickets for the three concerts and tickets for the Sept. 8 concert will go on sale on July 16 and will be available at the following locations: Cumberland Eye Care in Fairfield Glade, First National Bank of TN branches in Crossville and Fairfield Glade, Bed & Biscuit Kennels, and at the Cumberland County Playhouse box office and website (a small handling charge will apply at CCP). Ticket prices for the individual concerts will be adults — $20 and students — $5.

"While the student tickets prices have remained unchanged to encourage younger ages to attend, the adult tickets have had a modest increase to help cover the rising overhead costs to provide these outstanding concerts. While we recognize that our audience's budgets are all being stretched, we have delayed this adjustment for a couple of years. But we now need to adjust the compensation of the musicians who drive significant distances to rehearsals and concerts and their travel expenses are becoming an issue.  I trust that people will see that our ticket price is still a bargain considering the quality of the performances and guest artists which appear with the Southern Stars," said Dwight.

Season ticket prices remain unchanged and will be $45 for the three concerts. "When you consider the cost to attend all three concerts by purchasing three individual tickets is $60, the season ticket is a outstanding bargain. It is like getting three concerts for the price of 2. A ticket exchange policy is available for season ticket holders which allows them to exchange tickets for a concert they can not attend (eg., winter "snow-birders" who head to warmer climates) for additional tickets to one of the other concerts," according to Dwight.

There is an "early bird" season ticket campaign for those who purchase season tickets by August 18. These early bird purchasers will be invited to a special reception and will qualify for various gifts which will include getting their season tickets free! So get out and secure a season of premium entertainment and support the Southern Stars in their 5th anniversary.

We want to thank our sponsors who have signed on again to support the SSSB in the coming season. They are Season Sponsor — Bed & Biscuit Kennel, and Concert Sponsors — Farm Bureau Insurance (Gordon Atchley), Cumberland Eye Care (Dr. Stuart Galloway), and State Farm Insurance (David Bell).