Release Date: Friday, April 24, 2009

May 1 concert benefiting UGA's Music Business Program to feature Chuck Leavell with the Randall Bramblett Band

ATHENS, Ga. — Legendary piano player Chuck Leavell and the Randall Bramblett Band will perform at the first "Noteworthy Event" concert benefiting the University of Georgia Music Business Program on Friday, May 1, at the Melting Point in Athens.

Patron tickets including pre-show party and reserved floor seating are $150 per person, and show tickets for the mezzanine, patio or balcony seating are $100 per person and can be purchased through the Melting Point box office at (706) 254-6909 or www.meltingpointathens.com.

"This benefit will be a wonderful evening of music and entertainment benefiting a program that is working diligently to create future leaders for the music and entertainment industry and provide students with much needed hands-on experience," said Dede Farmer, operations director for the Foundry Park Inn & Spa, where the Melting Point is located. "To have artists of Chuck and Randall's caliber is an honor for the Melting Point and for it to benefit the UGA Music Business Program makes it even better."

Guests who buy the patrons tickets will be treated to a VIP reception in the Foundry Ballroom that will include rock 'n' roll memorabilia, travel packages and more up for auction.

Leavell is one of the most respected and sought-after piano players and keyboardists in modern music history, as well as a dedicated conservationist. His work both as a solo artist and as a musician with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, the Allman Brothers Band, the Black Crowes, Gov't Mule, Train and many others is among the most accomplished of any living keyboardist. He is an inductee in both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Bramblett is just as well known within music circles for his songwriting and musicianship. He released a pair of acclaimed solo albums in the 1970s, then joined the jazz-rock group Sea Level, becoming their principal songwriter and vocalist. From there, Bramblett embarked on a path as a big-league, musical utility man (primarily sax and keys) and landed on the speed dial of some of the greatest names in rock music, including Traffic, Steve Winwood, Levon Helm and Bonnie Raitt. In more recent years, he has refocused his recording career with the Randall Bramblett Band and signed a contract with New West Records.

UGA's Music Business Program, which is a privately funded certificate program within the Terry College of Business, prepares students for careers in the music industry. Students can earn an interdisciplinary certificate in music business by receiving a hands-on education about subjects like music and business fundamentals, copyright issues, creative content, artist management and production and technology.

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