A Musical Tribute to the Greatest Generation

Nov 7, 2009 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm UTC-08
Location: Grants Pass Elks Lodge
Latest Activity: Nov 8, 2022

The Greatest Generation — A Musical Tribute will be performed at the Grants Pass Elks on November 7, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The show is being done as a benefit for veterans living in the Southern Oregon area.“We mean for this to be both a stirring tribute and top notch entertainment,” said Lauren James, co-creator of the show. “After going through thousands of songs we came up with some rarely performed gems that reflect the courage, love, and optimism of that generation. We believe these people are living proof of the power of a song. These are the songs, after all, that mobilized a nation to triumph over the Great Depression and World War II.”The tribute showcases upbeat songs and heartfelt ballads from the 30s and 40s, and has been touring Southern Oregon since October 2006. The story of the WW II generation is told through music and narrative, while photos and film clips are displayed on a small Deco-design “movie palace”. Additionally, a Greatest Generation mini-museum will be on display.This tribute, of course, was inspired by Tom Brokaw’s book, “The Greatest Generation.” In this best seller, Brokaw declared, “I think this is the greatest generation that any society has ever produced.” He was writing about the people, now in their 80s and 90s, who came of age in the Great Depression and lived through WWII. James added, “On two fronts they faced the worst of the worst and they prevailed.”“They are heroes in every sense of the word,” said James, “and we’re hoping to tell their story in a way that their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will never forget.”Musical numbers include, “I Feel a Song Coming On,” “Pennies from Heaven,” “They All Laughed,” “The White Cliffs of Dover,” “I’ve Got a Pocketful of Dreams”, and some “hidden gems” that most people haven’t heard in at least half a century.James said, “In many of the numbers, there is a toe-tapping ‘we can do it’ spirit that makes you feel like everything is going to be just fine. The lyrics are both witty and positive. And the love songs reflect a belief in love that lasts forever.”James has been performing professionally in the Northwest since the age of 17. Both an accomplished pianist and singer, she has entertained audiences in many venues, and is also is a music teacher and musical director. A few years ago she co-hosted the morning show on a Roseburg radio station, KKMX.The show’s narrator and co-author, Edward Miller, is currently a writer for “Fitnotes” magazine and is a produced musical playwright. Like James, he is a long-time fan of Greatest Generation music.The dinner menu offers New York steak, green salad, roasted red potatoes, zucchini/squash and homemade blackberry cobbler.For reservations to this dinner, show, and ceremony call Grants Pass Elks at (541) 479-0001. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the dinner/show/dance is $16.00 (or $10.00 for the show only). Proceeds will be donated to the Elks Christmas Basket Program.Seating is limited and reservations to this special event are required.

Events

A Musical Tribute to the Greatest Generation

Comments