Singer-songwriter Randy Newman performing in Grass Valley on June 26

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Music in the Mountains is going to present popular singer-songwriter Randy Newman on Friday, June 26 “under the stars” at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, our magazine has learned.

Newman has won three Emmys, six Grammy Awards and two Academy Awards. He has been nominated for 20 Academy Awards. Newman also has his own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

“An Evening with Randy Newman” is part of MIM’s SummerFest — from June 16 to July 5. Last month our magazine previewed the season here. MIM had left out Newman’s announcement until now as a “surprise,” though it has been in the works for a while. An official press release is expected soon.

“We want to take festival-goers on a sonic journey where they will not only be entertained, but will experience true musical excellence,” explains Cristine Kelly, executive director of Music in the Mountains. “Randy Newman was the perfect artist to headline this year’s festival. He is a master musician and storyteller who is known for his incredible body of work.”

Our spring issue — a special edition for travelers — will promote Newman’s appearance at MIM’s SummerFest, 10-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt at the Strawberry Festival, and Buffy Sainte-Marie, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Dengue Fever, Las Cafeteras and others at WorldFest, among other music festivals. The festivals are helping to make our region a destination for world-class music.

With songs that run the gamut from heartbreaking to satirical and a host of unforgettable film scores, Newman has used his many talents to create musical masterpieces. Often referred to as a “musician’s musician,” many of the world’s most notable singers have covered his songs including Alan Price, Van Dyke Parks, Judy Collins, Cass Elliot, Art Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers, Dusty Springfield, Nina Simon, Wilson Pickett, Pat Boone and Peggy Lee, to name just a few.

After starting his songwriting career as a teenager, Newman launched into recording as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-titled album Randy Newman.

Throughout the 1970s he released several other acclaimed albums such as: 12 Songs, Sail Away, and Good Old Boys. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s.

page 1 randy newmanThe list of movies he has worked on since then includes The Natural, Awakenings, Ragtime, all three Toy Story pictures, Seabiscuit, James and the Giant Peach, A Bug’s Life and Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc.

Newman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

Tickets are $85 premium for a “meet and greet” the artist; $55 premium; $37.50 general admission; $85 for a family pass (two adults and two children); and $15 for youth under 18. The performance begins at 8 p.m.; gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for MIM’s SummerFest — the region’s top classical musical festival — go on sale April 1 unless otherwise noted:

Tuesday, June 16: Young Composers I, Peace Lutheran Church, Grass Valley, show at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17: Young Composers II, Peace Lutheran Church, 7:30pm

Friday, June 19: Wet Ink featuring the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Peace Lutheran Church, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 20: Messiaen, Quartet for the End of Time, Peace Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24: The Glory of Russian Ballet, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Amaral Center, 7:30 p.m. Tickets on sale now through season subscription only.

Friday, June 26: Randy Newman, Nevada County Fairgrounds, outdoor main stage, 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 27: Cirque de la Symphonie, Nevada County Fairgrounds, outdoor main stage, 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 28: The Mozart Requiem, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Amaral Center, 3 p.m. Tickets on sale now through season subscription only.

Wednesday, July 1: Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Amaral Center, 7:30 p.m. Tickets on sale now through season subscription only.

Thursday, July 2: Conrad Tao, In Recital, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Amaral Center, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 3: Happy Birthday USA, Nevada County Fairgrounds, outdoor main stage, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 5: Storm Large of Pink Martini and the Crazy Arc of Love, Nevada County Fairgrounds, outdoor main stage, 7:30 p.m.

(Photo at top: Pamela Springsteen)

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