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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1990)
]M«o«t V November 1990 * 2 7 THE PORTLAND (¡AY MEN'S CI KJRUS entertainment uvlcomes Jon Rollins os our ncu conductor Cris Williamson to squeeze in Corvallis shows Concert tour is celebrating 15 years of The Changer and the Changed and the birth of women9s music GAY MENS CHORUS 4 i f m ì S inger/songwriter Cris Williamson will be performing in Corvallis on Friday, Nov. 30. On Oct. 13, she began a six city tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of her album The Changer and the Changed. In between her San Francisco and Seattle appearances, Cris will make an “unofficial” stop in Corvallis. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Cris Williamson has been one of the most successful artists in independent music. Having performed in virtually every major concert hall in the U.S. and having sold nearly 1 million albums, Cris has been a shining example of what an artist can do as an independent creative force in contemporary music. A gifted singer and songwriter, Cris has been called a folk hero by some, a teacher and spirit healer by many others. She possesses a voice that Ben Wfft* Fong-Torres called I “a full-bodied, high- soaring thing of beauty.” Cris’ musical career began in the folk and rock clubs during the early K A T H I E O K A Y 70’s. Her first com mercial album, “Cris Williamson,” was released on the Ampex label in 1971 and, soon after, Cris was to be in strumental in the creation of a whole new con cept in independent music. In 1973, Cris was invited to a radio show in Washington, D.C. She was interviewed about her music and career and asked to comment on the status of women in the music industry. She re marked on some of the challenges facing women artists and the lack of women in creative posi tions, such as producing and engineering, and thought it might be an interesting idea for some again and again. Periodically, I glanced over my one to start a company to create those opportu shoulder, afraid to find my first sergeant peering nities. The idea was just a passing thought, but, down her stripes at me. But I kept listening, and like so many great ideas, became the germinat I walked a little taller and felt a little prouder, and ing seed for the creation of such a company . . . I began to. thank my lucky stars for being just Olivia Records. who I am. I think I wore my first album out that By 1975, Cris was signed to one album con very first night! tract with Olivia Records and recorded The Fifteen years later and still we aren’t hearing Changer and the Changed, which sold over a Cris’ music on mainstream airwaves. Too bad for quarter of a million copies to become one of the Cris. Too bad for all of us. all-time best selling albums on an independent For 15 years I have followed Cris William label. son, watched her sprout grey hairs, worried she Cris’ unparalleled success has included 11 would get old and quit touring before I could say albums, including one for children of all ages, my “thank you.” Fifteen years have gone since I two songbooks, and an historic, two-show, sold- first hid in my room and listened to The Changer out concert at Carnegie Hall, celebrating the 10th and the Changed. I’m not sure if that makes me anniversary of Olivia Records. feel young again or just older. I guess it doesn’t For many of us The Changer and the really matter as long as I, as long as all of us have Changed is a landmark album which represents grown wiser with the years. the beginning of women’s music . . . the real Cb media productions presents Cris William stuff. Not the elevator music a San Francisco son in concert in Corvallis, Friday, Nov. 30. radio station played every night at 11 pm on a There will be two shows: 7:15 pm and 9:30 pm show called “Music for a Woman” (circa 1972), in the Majestic Theater 115 SW 2nd St. Tickets but real music with real words about real love are available from Grass Roots Bookstore in and joy and giving. Finally, here was music writ Corvallis, Mother Kali’s Bookstore in Eugene, ten by women and sung by women for other and Portland’s Artichoke Music for $10 each. women. The hair can still stand up on the back of Tickets are also available by mail. To order tick my neck when I remember having heard “Sweet ets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Woman” for the first time. My life changed. No cb media, 2988 NW 13th Place, Corvallis, OR more would I be content to listen to men sing 97330, along with your check or money order about seducing women, leaving women, being (made out to “cb media”). Please indicate which left by women. performance you prefer and include a phone Wien I bought my first copy o f The Changer number. Tickets for any remaining seating will and the Changed I carried it to my room in a be available for $12 each at the door prior to each plain brown paper bag, locked the door, turned performance. For further information contact cb the lights down real low . . . and I silently re media at 758-7048. joiced as I listened to all the words again and iP «9N». ilii * ■ m r-W ■ Sunday, 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. December 2,1990 Intermediate Theatre A musical montage from jubilant brass to light-hearted and warm festive fare. Start your season with our greetings. All concerts signed tor hearing impaired. ^ J*C Jh This season is funded in part by generous grants from: V A Metropolitan Arts Commission O regon Arts Commission S tffv ity Tickets: $8, $12, $15 at the box office 248-4496 Mail orders to: PGM C, P.O. Box 3223, Portland, O R 97208