Calling All Aretha Franklin Fans – Casino Theater, Vandergrift, PA

VANDERGRIFT, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — A little over three years ago, Aretha Franklin’s voice was forever silenced but on August 21st, you can enjoy her songs and her soulful sound with “United in Song” featuring Miss Freddye, Stevee Wellons, and Kim Askew at the historic Casino Theater in Vandergrift, PA.   Show starts at 7:30 p.m.  All seating is reserved.

 

Freddye Stover aka Miss Freddye has been singing the blues throughout her Western Pennsylvania hometown of Pittsburgh for the last twenty-five years.  The influence of church and her mother’s love of the Blues gave Miss Freddye the beginning to venture in the world of Blues Music in 1996.  She joined BMW (Blues Music Works) under the direction of Big Al Leavitt.  In 2002, Miss Freddye formed her own band, “Blue Faze”.  Several years later, she became Miss Freddye’s Blues Band and Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band.  Her influences include Koko Taylor, Etta James, Sarah Vaugh, Billie Holiday, Big Mama Thornton, Big Al Leavitt and Bessie Smith.  From barrooms and nightclubs to charity events, VFWs and American Legions, Miss Freddye is often recognized as the town’s Leading Lady of the Blues.  In fact, she has also been recognized on the nation music scene with two Blues Foundation Award nominations for her 2017 album “Lady of the Blues”.

 

Miss Freddye is also taking listeners to church with her gospel single, “Wade in the Water”.  The single is a departure for Miss Freddye, a return to her early roots of singing in the church.  The track is the lead single from her album, “Wade in the Water”.

 

Stevee Wellons, born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania recalls her first performance as a toddler in her crib!  Stevee’s mother was a pianist and vocalist and taught her the fundamentals of singing. At age 14, Stevee began a singing group with some of her school friends, performing at a few talent shows and ‘dancehall socials’ in her neighborhood.

 

Stevee then began her professional singing career at 21 years of age performing in various bands.  She then went out on her own performing in supper clubs, then on to performing in several bands in the Pittsburgh area.  Over the years, Stevee has opened for The Dazz Band, Cameo, Howard Hewitt, The Crystals, The Marcels, Ana Popovich, Tas Cru and the Tortured Souls, David Michael Miller and Other Sinners, Tommy Castro, Samantha Fish and Shemekia Copeland…just to name a few.

 

Stevee has performed many styles and genres of music such as, blues, R&B, jazz, soul, funk, and rock.  She has incorporated those styles into a unique sound of her own.  Stevee Wellons Band won the 2015 Blues Society of Western PA’s Blues Challenge.

 

In addition, she is a recording artist, vocal instructor, and voice coach.   Stevee has recorded in many studios throughout the Eastern United States.

 

Kim Askew was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and began her lifelong love affair with music at a young age.  Ultimately, she found her passion for singing while listening to the likes of Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and Chaka Kha.  She was also molded by the music her mother Norma would play.  Kim would often sit up in her room and sing along with the artist on the records until one day she discovered that she could pretty much do that on her own without mimicking the records.

 

Kim has been performing professionally for over twenty-five years.  She has been performing in night clubs and theater up and down the east coast and all through the Midwest.  Kim has opened for many artists such as Kool and the Gang, Janet Jackson, and Usher.  One Pittsburgh based band that she sang lead with call “The House of Soul”, was ranked Pittsburgh’s Number One R&B/Soul Band.  Kim is also one of the lead vocalists of the group “Platinum”.

 

Kim has released a solo debut CD entitled “All of My Lovin”.  Kim enjoys recording in the studio but loves the intensity of live performances as well.  Kim’s strong but smooth soulful voice and her upbeat stage presence is her trademark. 

 

These three fantastic singers are coming together in “United in Song” to pay some respect to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.  Don’t miss this show!  Tickets are available at casinotheater.org or by calling 724-567-5049.  Tickets will be available at the door but skip the line and get yours early!

 

This historic venue is in the heart of Vandergrift, PA and is southwestern Pennsylvania’s oldest working vaudeville theater.  One hundred- and twenty-one-years young, this theater is being restored to the grandeur it had in George McMurtry’s time (town’s founder).  Surrounded by the town designed by Frederick Law Olmstead of Central Park and Biltmore fame, if you have never been you owe it to yourself to visit and see what a dedicated group of volunteers has accomplished!