Stephen E. Jones Music Scholarship Benefit Concert

The Jennings County Community Foundation Presents
at the Historic Park TheatreCivic Centre

The Fourth Annual
Stephen's Favorite Songs

Saturday June 20, 2009 - 7:00pm
Park Theatre Civic Centre
25 S. Madison Avenue
North Vernon, Indiana
For Tickets - 812.346.0330

Local talent preparing for Jones benefit concert

From the North Vernon Plain Dealer & Sun
March 19, 2009

Once again this year, talent from all over the Midwest will come together at North Vernon's Park Theatre Civic Centre to help raise money for the Stephen E. Jones Music Scholarship.

The fourth annual "Stephen's Favorite Songs" benefit concert will be presented at the Park Theatre Saturday, June 20.

George Daeger, left, and his brother, Dave, perform at the 2007 Stephen’s Favorite Songs concert.

Tickets are $5 and those attending will be treated to over 100 voices whose lives were touched by former Jennings County High School Choral Director Stephen E. Jones.

"For the fourth year in a row, the Park Theatre is graciously allowing us to use their venue to amass some of the best talent ever assembled on one stage in Jennings County," said Molly Jones, Jones' daughter and the show's director. "Their generosity, along with the participation of many of Dad's former students and colleagues, allows us to present another amazing weekend of local talent for the community to enjoy."

Molly went on to talk about how excited her father was to see the Park Theatre open after its restoration five years ago and his fondness for theatre organizers Bill and Hulda Reichenbach.

"Bill and Hulda built this monument (the Park Theatre) to great music and live theater and we are proud to be on their stage every year for this great event to honor Mr. Jones," said Brian Perry, assistant director.

Stephen Jones passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2005. A scholarship was set up in his name through the Jennings County Community Foundation to enable a graduating high school senior to study music in college. The scholarship was presented for the first time in 2007 and will continue to be presented on an annual basis.

This year's event will be headlined by two of "Stephen's Favorite Groups." Dave and George Daeger of The Early Evening and Angie Taylor of Madison will be sharing the stage this year in tribute to their former teacher.

"Everyone has always commented on 'that amazing voice' when they hear Angie sing and this year we wanted to give her more of a spotlight to share with others what we love so much about her," Molly Jones said.

Molly and her brother Seth have helped organize this annual benefit concert that has grown each year.

"Angie is a gospel sensation who now lives in Madison who has joined us the past few years," Molly said. "Last year she blew concert goers away with her rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner.'"

The Nashville rock duo of the Daeger brothers will help kick off the benefit. They will present songs from The Early Evening's newest album, "Everyone's a Legend," recorded with Johnny Cash's son at the legendary Cash Cabin in Tennessee. Both Daeger brothers and Taylor were students of Jones and he played a strong role in their development as musicians.

Other featured performers will be North Vernon's Jill McIntosh and local educators Mandy Cunningham and Chelsey Pieratt Thompson. Solo and group performances will also come from many talented former students and colleagues spanning Jones' career along with a slide show.

Finally, the audience, along with a 16-member mass choir will sing, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."

Everyone is invited to join the mass choir as a tribute to Stephen Jones. For more information, contact Molly Jones at 812-767-3500 or by e-mail at morjones@gmail.com.

Organizers are also seeking sponsorships for the concert this year. Those interested in sponsoring and/or advertising in the evening's program can also contact Molly Jones.

Tickets for Stephen's Favorite Songs will be available in March at the Park Theatre's box office located at 25 N. Madison Ave. All seats are reserved.

For more information about this and other shows at the Park Theatre, visit park-theatre.com/jones.html or call 346-0330 or 346-4329.

To view more about the very successful 'Stephen's Favorite Songs,' which has raised over $15,000 for the Stephen E. Jones Music Scholarship, view our Archived Pages below!