Bonnie 'Prince' Billy to Perform at Georgetown this Friday, 11/22

Called "one of the country's most celebrated singer-songwriters," (The New Yorker), The man who acts under the name Will Oldham and sings and composes under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy has, over the past quarter-century, made an idiosyncratic journey through, and an indelible mark on, the worlds of indie rock and independent cinema. With his highly individualistic approach to music making and the music industry-one that cherishes intimacy, community, mystery, and spontaneity- his brilliance has captivated fans and made Bonny one of our most influential and beloved songsmiths.

Recent projects in 2012 include "Now Here's My Plan" (EP), "Will Oldham on Bonnie 'Prince' Billy" (An Autobiography edited by Alan Licht, published by Norton), as well as two singles; Billy F. Gibbons/ Matt Sweeney & Bonny Billy "Oh Well" b/w "Storms," and Dawn McCarthy & Bonny Billy "Christmas Eve Can Kill" b/w "Walkin the Dog." In 2013, Bonny released a new full length record of duets with Dawn McCarthy on Drag City.

Having appeared in a Kanye West video, "Can't Tell Me Nothing," with comedian Zach Galifianakis, and played a police officer in R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet," Oldham has also had roles in the films "Matewan," "Junebug," "Old Joy," and "Wendy and Lucy."

Oldham will lead a masterclass, a rare interaction with student musicians, with Georgetown University American Musical Culture majors and minors -- FREE and open to all for attendance -- on Friday, Nov. 22 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in McNeir Hall, New North Building, in which students will perform and he will discuss reasons for songwriting and being a musician.

Having visited campus in September 2011 to work with the Music Program's "History of Rock" course, taught by Prof. Ben Harbert, Oldham will again return to a session to relate his own work to the course though a discussion of his trajectory through the music world for the past 20 years.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy will then perform a ticketed concert that evening at 8 p.m. in the Davis Performing Arts Center's Gonda Theatre. Tickets are $25 general, and $10 for Georgetown students. To order, visit performingarts.georgetown.edu or call or visit the Davis Performing Arts Center ticket office M-F 11 a.m.-3 p.m: 202-687-ARTS (2787). Georgetown University's main campus is located at 3700 O St. NW, in Washington, D.C.

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