★ • ’ • ★ TMIATil • ■ 2 2 2 * s*nh»s6 ★ IDQWQWCO 2 2 -2 * IDtUM'jOia THE CHARLOTTE POST*”” ( harlotlr s Fa*tr«t (,nt»inji mmdnil\ Urrld>" -- Thursday’ Maf<* ». !»»« • THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page IB Since Becoming Sob Artist “Busy Body” Is Perfect Description Of LutherVandrnss By Loretta Manago Post BUff Writer “Busy Body” may be the title of ^tther Vandross’ latest album, bat it is also a perfect description of what Vandross has been since his emergence as a solo artist. When Vandross released his first album, “Never Too Much” in 1961, it wasn’t long before he had earned two Grammy pnminatinns - “Best Ikb Vocal Pertor - mance - Male” and “Best New Artist.” On his first klbum, Van ®dross saw his music turn to platinum and while “Never Too Much” was still on the charts, he released his se cond album, “Forever, For Always, Wr Love.” During the time that Vandross was putting his - career together, he also produced the album that returned Aretha Franklin to the top of both the RAB and Pop Charts after a seven-year absence. While “Forever, For Always, For Love” was riding high on the charts, Vandroes embarked on a national tour and produced Cheryl Lynn’s album, “Instant Love” and his second UP for Aretha Franklin, “Get It Right.” Seemingly, there was no time for Vandroes to stop and see how popular he had become. Before be started work on his third album, Vandroes was back in the studio with Dionne War wick producing her album, “How Many Times (Can We Say Goodbye).,r - SINGER LUTHER VANDROSS —Coming to town Looking back at the last . three yean, Luther Van dross has beta a major influence on the entertain ment scene he has been a very busy body. The hectic schedule wMefa Vandross has paced himself is not unusual. As a matter of fact, it coincides with the frantic pace that has brought him to where he is today. He has spent yean working diligently behind the scenes. An earlier songwriting effort of his, “Everybody Re joice (A Brand New Day)’’ was featured in both the Broadway musical and the film version of “The Wiz.” Vandross arranged the vo cals on “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough),” and on David Bowie’s “Young American” album. He has sung backup for Chic, Sister Sledge, Bette Mid ler and Roberta Flack. It was Vandro6s’ backup work with Quincy Jones’ "Stuff Like That” that brought his capabilities to the attention of advertising agencies and resulted in a very lucrative jingle career. Vandross can be heard on a wide variety of commercials including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Seven-Up, Burger King, the U.S. Army and Miller Beer. At the same time that Vandross was establishing his jingle career, he also began expanding his vocal talents by singing with groups Bionic Boogie and Change. Vandross’ lead vocals on the group Change’s singles, “Searchin’” and “The Glow of Love” took the group to a golden plateau. But when the group decid ed to go on tour, Vandross decided to strike out on his own. He has been a busy body ever since. This year, still maintain ing a hectic schedule, Vandross will produce a track for Teddy Pender grass’ debut album on Elektra Records. He comes to Charlotte Friday, March 30, at 8 p.m. at the Coli seum. Vandross will appear with Debarge and the Deele. After his tour, Vandross will, no doubt, be back in the studio gearing up for his next album. “My iourin aioum 1^ giilll^ If) a real surprise, I already know what vocal arrange ments I’m going to use.” Nitty Gritty Dirt Band To Perform Hem Apr! 4 Riding the crest of their new hit single, “Dance Little Jean,” the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band arrives in Charlotte on April 4 for a performance at 7:30 p.m. in Spirit Square’s NCNB Performance Place. Tickets are $12 and are available at the Spirit Square Box Office, 318 N. Try on St. in Charlotte. Box Office hours are 9 a m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call 704-376 8888 for ticket information. Tickets ordered by phone will be held for five days without payment. Checks, American Express, VISA and MasterCard are ac cepted. Country, pop, country rock - the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has explored many music avenues in the last decade "Let’s Go," their first album in two years, with its hit single “Dance Little Jean" is the band’s latest success. In their 17-year history, the band has had many hits, includ ing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” the album that featured Earl Scruggs, Mother May belle Carter, Doc Watson and other country music greats. The original members of the band return for this Spirit Square performance. They are Jeff Hanna on guitar and lead vocals, Jimmie Fadden on drums and harmonica, John McEuen on banjo, fiddle and steel guitar, and James Ibbotson on guitar, bass and vocals. The newcomer Bob Car penter is on keyboards. Vay Special Arte Festival Planned For Springfest ’84 The Community School of the Arts sod the Char lotte-Mecklenburg Schfi^B have Joined together to sponsor a Very Special Y Arts Festival during Springiest ’84. The Very Special Arts Festival, open to anyone, will take place from 9 am. to'l p.m., Friday, April tl on the grounds of the First Pres byterian Church, 200 W. Trade St. in uptown Char lotte. The Festival is a cul mination of a year-round Very Special Arts Festi val (VSAF) Program car ried out nationally through the National Committee, Arts With The Handi capped. It serves as a ca talys* to increase learning skills and demonstrate the impact of the arts through workshops, in service training and per formances for disabled and non-disabled child ren, educators, parents and others. Over 400 pre school through school age students from the Char lotte-Meek] en burg Schools and other community agen cies will participate. “We feel that by having both disabled and non-disabled students participate within the unique public setting of Springiest, we are opening up the doors of acceptance into the cultural and edu cational mainstream for our exceptional children,” said Paul Herbal, Asso ciate Director with the Community School of the Arts. “A slogan, of sorts for the Festival program is 'Don’t tell us what we can’t do, tell us what we can do.’ It is surprising to find out what we can accomplish if given the opportunity," said Herbert. The Very Special Arts Festival Program is jointly supported by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D C., a feder al agency. The Very Spe cial Arts Festival on April 27 is made possible through grants from the Karl and Anna Ginter Foundation and the Robert Lee Stowe, Jr. Foundation. For more information on the Very Special Arts Fes tival Program, call the Community School of the Arts at 377-4187.