Music Legend Engelbert Humperdinck Comes to Three Stages, 2/18

With four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for "Entertainer of the Year" (1988), 63 gold and 24 platinum records and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Humperdinck might rest easy on his laurels. Not likely. With over 150 million records sold and new collaborations in the works with artists like Sir Elton John and Seal, Engelbert Humperdink continues to be a steady producer of new material and active as both a recording and touring artist.

Engelbert Humperdinck will perform in Three Stages on Monday, February 18, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $49-$89. Premium tickets are available for $99. They may be purchased online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Three Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, Calif., facing East Bidwell Street.

Born Arnold George Dorsey he took an early interest in music, starting out as a saxophone player before moving on to singing. Performing under the name Gerry Dorsey, he scraped by financially until he was struck with tuberculosis. In an attempt to reinvent himself after recovery, he followed the advice of his new manager, who also oversaw fellow singer Tom Jones. He changed his name to Engelbert Humperdinck, the same name at the late 19th century German composer of the opera, Hansel and Gretel. The name was just outrageous enough to be memorable. "I had no choice," Humperdinck said later. "I was a starving singer, and someone was giving me a chance to get on in the business."

His career took off shortly after than when he recorded Release Me (And Let me Love Again), the song that thrust Humperdinck into the spotlight. At one point the single sold 80,000 copies a day; managed to fend off the Beatles' Penny Lane from securing the #1 position at the top of the charts. It proved to be the first of seven consecutive Top 10 U.K. hits over the next few years, including The Last Waltz, After the Lovin' and A Man Without Love.

Few people realize that several of the major forces in the world of rock n' roll, including Jimi Hendrix and The Carpenters, started out as opening acts for Humperdinck in the late '60's, 70's and '80's.

Humperdinck has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to the platinum-selling theme song for the latest Beavis and Butthead movie. He is currently working on a brand new CD with Grammy award-winning producer Martin Terefe (Train, Jason Mraz, James Morrison, Beverly Knight) with, according to Humperdinck, "a lot of fantastic young, hip and surprising collaborations". The album is tentatively scheduled to be out in March.

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College presents touring artists from around the world; partners with the best regional arts organizations, and supports productions by FLC students and faculty.

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College is a $50 million performing and visual arts center that opened in February 2011. Located on the campus, Three Stages includes three intimate performance venues (850, 200, 100 seats), an art gallery, a recording studio, ample rehearsal and classroom space, a Full Service ticket office plus all the amenities of a state-of-the-art performance venue. Parking is free on weekends and for those buying tickets in advance.

A renaming of Three Stages is currently under way. The new name, Harris Center for the Arts, honors Dr. Brice Harris, Chancellor Emeritus of the Los Rios Community College District, for his many contributions to the Capital Region, including providing the vision and leadership that led to the opening of this regional arts center.

What: Engelbert Humperdinck
When: Monday, February 18, 2013, 7:30 pm
Where: Three Stages at Folsom Lake College
10 College Parkway
Folsom, CA 95630
Tickets: $49-$89; Premium tickets $99. They are available online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 (Monday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, and two hours before show time)

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