Director Barry Jekowsky bids farewell at Wells Fargo Rhythm & Rawide Concert

The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted for the last time by music director Barry Jekowsky, will perform with Utah balladeer, Brenn Hill and cowboy poet Rodney Nelson, at the sixth annual Wells Fargo Rhythm & Rawhide Benefit Concert. The event, on May 17 at the Peppermill’s new Tuscany Ballroom, begins with a VIP cocktail party at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and concert at 6:30 p.m.

Collaboration
The collaboration of the Reno Rodeo Foundation and the Reno Philharmonic Association has brought unique music combinations of the symphonic orchestra with western balladeers and cowboy poets. Rhythm & Rawhide’s funds go to the Reno Rodeo Foundation and the Reno Philharmonic Association to benefit children and the arts in northern Nevada. Since its inception in 2003, the benefit has raised over $1 million.

Brenn Hill
The Utah born singer/songwriter, Brenn Hill is known for creating music that not only pays homage to Western's music's finest traditions, but also serves as a passport to today's Mountain West. His sixth album, What a Man’s Got To Do, is a collection of songs filled with interesting characters and observations on life, love and the indomitable western spirit.

At 16, he performed at the famed National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. He recorded his first album when he was age 20 and soon became a popular performer on the Western music circuit. His debut album, Rangefire, earned him the Rising Star Award from the Academy of Western Artists (AWA). "I describe myself as a little bit of George Strait, a little bit of Bruce Springsteen, and a whole lot of Ian Tyson and John Denver," says Mr. Hill. This will be his first performance with a symphonic orchestra.

Rodney Nelson
Raised on a ranch on the Mouse River near Towner, North Dakota, cowboy poet Rodney Nelson currently works as a part-time brand inspector, horse trainer and aging rodeo performer. Audiences throughout America know Rod as a popular rural humorist, entertainer, banquet speaker, and columnist.

Proceeds to Kid's Kampus
The Reno Rodeo Foundation’s portion of the proceeds from the 2008 Rhythm & Rawhide benefit will be dedicated to the construction of the Kid’s Kampus Activity Center. This 12,000 square foot facility is located on the Kid’s Kampus and will provide abused and neglected children and teens, who have been placed in emergency protective custody, access to a gymnasium, computer lab and classroom space where they can play and study year round. Construction will be complete in June.

Reno Rodeo Foundation
The Reno Rodeo Foundation is committed to enhancing and enriching the lives of northern Nevada families by aiding children with extraordinary needs, building community partnerships and providing scholarships to the University of Nevada, Reno.

About the Reno Philharmonic
The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra’s innovative and world-class performances are well known to the communities of northern Nevada and northeastern California.
As the largest performing arts groups in the area, this award-winning orchestra performs for over 32,000 people a year.

Education and outreach
The Reno Philharmonic Association also boasts award-winning educational and outreach programs, reaching over 35,000 school-aged children each year: “Celebrate Strings,” an after-school strings program reaching underprivileged and at-risk children; “The Young People’s Concerts,” a comprehensive school music program which culminate with a concert with the Reno Phil; “Discover Music,” provides in-school ensembles that introduce music and instruments; And the two youth orchestras showcasing over 160 musicians who perform several times a year throughout the region.

Tickets
Single tickets are available for $250 and include dinner with the concert.

VIP tables of eight are available at $3,000 and include recognition in event program, eight preferred seats, invitations for eight o the VIP “Back-Stage Celebrity Round-Up” and special gifts.

A $2,000 table includes seating and dinner for eight. Concert only seating is available for $125 per person. For ticket information, call the Main Event at (775) 323-2380.