Benefit Concert for Passages

Here's a news release about the upcoming benefit concert for Passages:

*Casey Stratton & Eric Himan to Play The Hollywood Room in Kansas City on April 22, 2005 *

Former Sony Music recording artist Casey Stratton and indie rocker artist, Eric Himan will be co-headlining a new 20-city tour this spring/summer. One of the first stops will be at the Hollywood Room in Kansas City on April 22, 2005 at 8 pm. This will be a benefit concert for Passages Youth Center.

Eric Himan has made a conscious decision to remain an independent artist producing and releasing four discs in as many years on his own label, ThumbCrown Records. */Dark Horse/*, Eric's most recent work was released on 3/22/05 to an eager grass roots fans base, selling 1000 copies in its first week and becoming a "Top Seller Now" at Cdbaby.com. National press features include OUT, Instinct, Genre and the Advocate. Eric was recently tapped to be among some on music's hardest hitters: Melissa Etheridge, Dixie Chicks, and Carole King on the Human Right's Campaign's latest compilation */Love Rocks/*. This Fender endorsed artist has built his loyal following by playing no less than 115 shows in 2004. Eric has become a favorite on the collegiate music scene, showcasing his talent at the 2004 NACA National Conference as well as stopping at over 75 colleges nation-wide. He breaks the mold of the soft-spoken, earnest folk troubadour. His performances are filled with electricity and power, but his lyrics betrayed a vulnerability and sadness that sharply contrast with his bad boy appearance. The combination proves irresistible to audiences.

Casey Stratton has packed a lot of music into a relatively young life. It was through the piano that he discovered a passion writing songs and singing them. After graduating from Michigan's Interlochen Arts Academy, with training in voice and composition, the budding artist left Michigan for Los Angeles. With the growing momentum and increasing popularity of his fan base, there was nation-wide label interest in Casey. The hard work paid off and he was signed to Sony Music Entertainment in 2002. His first Sony release */STANDING AT THE EDGE/* was produced by the legendary Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Elton John). Casey's performances have already resulted in a cult following, and he has received glowing reviews in magazines like People, USA Today and Billboard to name a few, and appeared on national television, including CBS Saturday Morning.

Casey's remix of '/House of Jupiter/' was recently *# 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart*. There has been an overwhelming response with this remix and with Casey in the past several months. Most recently, Casey has made a decision to take his next album */DIVIDE/* to a new level and release it independently in late Summer 2005 on his label, Sleeping Pill Music.

In a time where unique and inspiring live performances run second fiddle to pre-fab bands and lip-syncing on national television, Casey and Eric are here to reassure you that true talent is here to stay.

*Show Details:
**Friday, April 22, 2005 8 pm


Admission $17.00
Hollywood Room
100 E 20th St
Kansas City, MO
(Corner of 20th & Walnut)
Tickets available at:
Out There
205 Westport Rd
816.753.4757
&
The Planet Cafe
3535 Broadway Suite "D"
816.561.7287*