Internationally Renowned Kingston Trio to Headline The McCallum Theatre, 11/22

The City of Rancho Mirage and the McCallum Theatre present The Kingston Trio on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00pm. In 1957, America was ready for a new style of music. Just out of college, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and Dave Guard took folk music and gave it an irresistible comic twist. The music was rooted in American popular culture, but performed with a style that now seems timeless. When "Tom Dooley" went Gold in 1958, the folk revival was born, setting the stage for Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary, The Byrds and the protest movement of the 60s.

The then unknown Trio was playing at the Cracked Pot in 1957 when a member of the audience, publicist Frank Werber, approached the band. By the end of the night, the Trio had a manager, a contract (signed on a paper napkin) and a new name, The Kingston Trio.

The group worked tirelessly to refine the music and polish their act. After months of work, they were booked into San Francisco's Purple Onion. They were a sensation and a one week booking turned into a sold out run that lasted for months. Word spread and their first tour took them from casinos in Reno to Chicago's Mr. Kelley's and New York's Village Vanguard and Blue Angel.

In 1958, the Trio returned to San Francisco, playing a four month standing room only run at the Hungry i. During this same period, the group recorded their first album and the single "Tom Dooley" became the #1 song in the country. Milton Berle, Perry Como and Dinah Shore all signed the Trio to appear on their shows. The group also remained loyal to their college audience, playing college shows every other day over the next six months. In 1961, Dave Guard left the Trio and was replaced by John Stewart. The group enjoyed six productive years with John Stewart, and thirteen more albums were released, including Close Up, Back in Town and New Frontier.

In 1967, Nick, Bob and John disbanded the Trio to pursue individual careers. In 1968, Bob was eager to perform with a trio again. The New Kingston Trio featured Pat Horine and banjoist Jim Conner, accompanied by bassist Frank Passantino and drummer Frank Sanchez. The New Kingston Trio enjoyed renewed success and recorded two albums. In 1973, Bob teamed with Bill Zorn (formerly of The New Christy Minstrels) and Roger Gambill. In 1976, Bob and Roger teamed with George Grove, whose vocal and instrumental talents are unsurpassed in the Trio's history.

For Trio fans, March of 1982 brought a magical television event when PBS broadcast "The Kingston Trio and Friends Reunion." Bob, Nick and Dave performed for the first time since 1962; Bob, Nick and John for the first time since 1967. Every member who had ever performed as part of the Trio appeared that night. Shortly after that phenomenal event, Bob, Roger and George recorded 25 Years Non-Stop, featuring the Trio's biggest hits over the years. It was followed in 1983 by Looking for the Sunshine, a collection of new songs. The Trio was maintaining a busy concert schedule when, in 1985, Roger died of a heart attack. Enter Bob Haworth, a former member of The Brothers Four. Bob remained with the Trio for three years, then left to pursue his solo career. At this point, it seemed natural for the Trio to turn to the man who helped forge the original sound more than thirty years earlier - Nick Reynolds. The Shane, Reynolds and Grove Trio enjoyed many years of sold out shows.

The close of the 20th Century saw change come again to The Kingston Trio, as Bob Haworth returned following Nick's second retirement. The Trio continued on with Bob Shane, George Grove and Bob Haworth for five years, playing to sold out audiences.

In 2004, Bob Shane suffered a heart attack and was replaced by Bill Zorn, fresh from leaving the Limeliters. Then, in 2005, Bob Haworth left the group once again and Rick Doughterty, also of the Limeliters, took over the spot. The Kingston Trio today consists of Bill Zorn, George Grove and Rick Dougherty and they are continuing the legacy with fantastic reviews, command performances and standing ovations wherever they perform.

The City of Rancho Mirage and the McCallum Theatre present The Kingston Trio on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00pm. Tickets are $67, $47, $37 and $32; tickets for Rancho Mirage residents are $62, $42, $32 and $27. Tickets are available at the Theatre's web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS.

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