Hit Songwriter Jimmy Webb – “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” Comes to FTC July 28th

Nashville Songwriting Hero Among Mere Mortals, A Revered Force In American Music

As a songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer he is the Chairman of the Board of the National Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, he’s responsible for countless ballads, pop hits and according to BMI, his song “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” was the third most performed song from the ‘60s through 1990. Like Harry Nilsson, Brian Eno or Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb has broken all the industry standards and rules, and to this day he is impossible to peg down with one description.

He is an amazingly gifted songwriter and singer and has been since he came on the scene in the ‘60s and for a time competed with George Martin and the Beatles with songs like “A Tramp Shining” and “MacArthur Park.” He is a brilliant producer and collaborator, blending dozens of styles across the decades and always coming out on top.

With his success -- marked by gold and platinum records -- as a composer, arranger, and producer, and his periodic recordings of his own, Webb is possibly the closest figure that the post-pop music generation has produced to approximate the late, great Hoagy Carmichael.
Though best known for the instant classics he provided for such artists as Glen Campbell, Richard Harris, the Fifth Dimension, The Brooklyn Bridge, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, and so on, Jimmy Webb continues to write songs that are as carefully crafted and magical as the earlier ones. For instance, the late ‘80s hit “The Highwayman, sung by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson hit #1 and won Webb yet another Grammy for Best Country Song of the Year, and a CMA Award for Single Of The Year.

The 2010 album Just Across the River gives new and old listeners an idea of his vast impact on the American musical landscape, with performances of his best known songs including contributions from of the artists he’s influenced the most – and who in-turn have influenced him. The album features performances by Glen Campbell, Mark Knopfler, Linda Ronstadt, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne, Michael McDonald, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, J.D. Souther, and Vince Gill.

Today Webb  serves many important roles behind the scenes in the music industry, and a Jimmy Webb performance is a rare treat. We’re honored to have him on StageOne.

Fairfield Theatre Company
http://www.fairfieldtheatre.org
FTC manages two venues, StageOne in Fairfield and The Klein in Bridgeport. FTC is dedicated to presenting the best of live entertainment and performing arts education in the region.