Acclaimed U.S. Country Rocker Mary McBride Brings "Home Tour" to Taiwan

PR-1218E | Date: 04/11/2012

Mary McBride is an acclaimed country rock singer and songwriter. She wrote the musical score, and appeared briefly in Ang Li's Oscar-winning film, "Brokeback Mountain.” (Photo: AIT Images)

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), in cooperation with local partners, is pleased to present free concerts by the noted country rocker Mary McBride and her 4-member band. These American artists will perform two "Love & Hope Live Concerts" for the general public. The first concert will be an outdoor event on April 14 at the Open Stage of the Taoyuan Performing Arts Center (TCPAC). The second will take place on April 15 at the Performance Hall of the National Pingtung University of Education. Both concerts begin at 3:30 p.m. and are scheduled to last an hour and a half.

In addition to live, public concerts, Mary McBride and her band will offer 4 mini charity concerts to share music and warmth with local non-profit organizations, such as the Taoyuan Yi-De Long Term Care Center, Kaohsiung's Yen-Chou Nursing Home, Liugui Orphanage, and Kaohsiung American School. The band will perform original songs representing the legacy of American county rock music.

As part of her signature "Home Tour", Mary and her band bring musical concerts to the homes of people who otherwise would not have access to live music, including facilities such as long-term health care centers, homeless shelters, orphanages, prisons, shelters for HIV/AIDS patients, and the disabled. The group has travelled throughout the United States, Western Europe, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Pakistan. The group just finished tours in Vietnam and Laos in early April.

Mary McBride is an acclaimed country rock singer and songwriter. She wrote the musical score, and appeared briefly in Ang Li's Oscar-winning film, "Brokeback Mountain.” Her voice has been described by the New York Times as "part angel, part truck driver, as if to say sometimes you power through sadness and sometimes you hope for a miracle."

AIT extends its appreciation to the partners who have made this program possible, including the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taoyuan County Government, Taoyuan Arts Facilities Management Center, National Pingtung University of Education and Pingtung Cultural Foundation. Other key sponsors include EVA Airlines, Monarch Plaza Hotel, O-Ta Precision Industry Co. Ltd., FLY Sound Co. and IC Broadcasting, whose contributions have enabled music lovers to enjoy the events free of charge.

Concert details are as follows:

Taoyuan Concert

• Date: Saturday, April 14, 3:30 PM

• Venue: Taoyuan County Performing Arts Center (TCPAC) - Open Stage (No. 1188 Zhong-zheng Road, Taoyuan City, Taoyuan County)

• Tickets: Free admission – interested participants are advised to arrive 20-30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. (Tel: 03-3170511)

Pingtung Concert

• Date: Sunday, April 15, 3:30 PM

• Venue: National Pingtung University of Education - Performance Hall (No.1, Lin Sen Road, Pingtung City)

• Tickets: Free admission – interested participants are advised to arrive 20-30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. (Tel:08-7226141 ext. 35601)

About the Artists

Mary McBride is an acclaimed country rock singer and songwriter. She wrote the musical score, and appeared briefly in Ang Li's Oscar-winning film, "Brokeback Mountain.” Her voice was described by the New York Times as "part angel, part truck driver, as if to say sometimes you power through sadness and sometimes you hope for a miracle." She has played tour dates with Delbert McClinton, Blondie, Indigo Girls, the B52s, Cyndi Lauper, Koko Taylor, Tony Joe White, Joe Cocker, Maria Muldaur, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the late Clarence Gatemouth Brown, according to her website.

For more information about Mary McBride, please visit the artist’s official website: http://www.marymcbride.com