October 18, 2019

TOM NETHERLAND | SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

Tickets are on sale now for Mike Farris Sings! The Soul of Christmas. Slated to jingle the bells at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tennessee, on Friday, Dec. 6, tickets start at $22 and culminate at $97.

Bristol knows Mike Farris well. The former lead singer of alt-rock’s Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies struck out on a solo career that’s yielded scintillating explorations into gospel as well as rhythm and blues. He won a Grammy in 2015 for his LP, “Shine for all the People,” which also nabbed a Grammy for Bristol’s Chad Brown, who engineered the album.

Just before his Grammy win, Farris appeared in Bristol at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Sold out show. With but a guitar and his world-beating voice, he rendered all who heard speechless. Memories yet linger as strong from that night’s for-the-ages performance.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion welcomed Farris several times, including during last month’s volume. In early August, the voluminous-voiced singer appeared at Theatre Bristol for a fundraiser, during which time he swept a capacity crowd as if into the clutches of his gift to serenade as if for the last time. That’s Farris. He sings as if he’ll never sing again, an all-out performer whose voice reaches into otherworldly terrain.

So now Farris brings Christmas to Bristol. Gifted with a voice that recalls 1960s duo Sam and Dave, Farris ensconces such classics of Christmas as “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Winter Wonderland” in burnished hugs of grit and soul.

For tickets and information, call 423-274-8920 or visit the Paramount box office at 518 State Street in Bristol, Tennessee. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://paramountbristol.org/