Kisses from Bettye LaVette
The Halloran Centre’s diverse 2018-19 On Stage series includes the award-winning Fats Waller musical Ain’t Misbehaving, a visit from classic soul artist Betty LaVette, a monthly jazz series curated by Kirk Whalum, Arthur Miller’s evergreen drama, The Crucible, and those are just a few of the headliners.
In a field that runs the gamut from Great Balls of Fire curiosities like Dennis Quaid and the Sharks to soul royalty like original Supreme Mary Wilson, and chestnuts like an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan favorites, I’m probably most excited about LaVette, who starred in the Broadway hit Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and whose early recordings showcase the talents of a group of Memphis artists that came to be known as The Dixie Flyers.
LaVette started recording in Detroit, 1962. She charted R&B hits with “My Man — He’s a Lovin’ Man”, “He Made a Woman Out of Me,” and one of my favorite singles, “Let Me Down Easy.” (Though, this studio performance is also fantastic).
Halloran Centre Announces Supremely Cool 2018-19 On Stage Series
“I’m not searching for anything,” LaVette told The Flyer. In a 2011 interview, she described her long and winding career as a satisfying one. As soon as “My Man” hit she rolled out of Motor City on tour with headliner Ben E. King and an up-and-comer named Otis Redding. The Scene of the Crime, her collaboration with the Drive-By Truckers, had earned a Grammy nomination for best contemporary blues performance and introduced the veteran performer to a whole new generation of audiophiles.
“Old movies are my thing,” LaVette said, beginning her life story with “One scene that used to make [her] cry every time.
“You know the scene where somebody’s flying somewhere and you see the plane in the sky and the names of the cities flash up on the screen? New York, Paris, and London. That’s the scene that always made me cry, because my friends had been to all those places and I hadn’t.” That’s all past tense now.
“So many people have asked me, ‘What was it like to cut a record when you were only 16?’ And I tell them that in 1962 in Detroit, that’s just what you did. Everybody had a record or was cutting a record,” LaVette said.
Fans were loyal, but fame was elusive. LaVette’s thankful. “I met a better class of people,” she says. “People who didn’t want something from me.”
Love her.
And now, here’s the rest of the season…
ON STAGE AT THE HALLORAN CENTRE, 2018-2019
MUSIC
Saturday, August 18 Rodney Crowell
Friday, September 7 Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
Saturday, September 29 Dennis Quaid and the Sharks
Friday, October 12 Dougie MacLean
Saturday, October 20 Matt Stansberry & The Romance
Saturday, November 3 Bettye LaVette
Friday, November 30 Music of the Knights
2019
Saturday, January 26 Mary Wilson
Saturday, February 2 Jim Brickman, “Share the Love” Tour
Saturday, March 2 Dustbowl Revival
Saturday, March 16 Benise FUEGO! Spirit of Spain (two performances)
Saturday, April 13 Carlene Carter
Saturday, April 27 The Orbert Davis Jazz Ensemble
THEATRE SERIES
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (two performances)Saturday, February 16, 2019
National Players in The Crucible (two performances)Saturday, March 30, 2019
New York City Gilbert & Sullivan Players in the Wand’ring Minstrels, Pirates of Penzance, and an Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan FavoritesKAFÉ KIRK
Sunday, October 7, 2018 with Lindsey Webster
Sunday, December 2, 2018 with Jonathan Butler
Sunday, February 3, 2019 TBA
Sunday April 7, 2019 TBA
