Singer/Songwriter Ray LaMontagne and His Band to Perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, October 15-16

Tickets go on-sale to the public on August 8

Baltimore, Md. (July 27, 2009)– Singer, songwriter and guitarist Ray LaMontagne and his band join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to perform some of his most popular hits on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, October 16, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. This announcement comes on the heels of the news that Mr. LaMontagne, known for his soulful vocals and compelling lyrics, will be touring North America in Fall 2009. Please see below for complete BSO concert details; please see www.RayLaMontagne.comfor complete tour details.

Ray LaMontagne first landed on the music scene in 2004, with his debut album, Trouble, launching an instant classic single in the album’s title track. Two years later, he released the deeply personal and compelling Till the Sun Turns Black, which soared to the top 30 of the Billboard 200. Mr. LaMontagne’s most recent album, Gossip In The Grain, achieved the rising star’s highest chart number, debuting at No. 3 on Billboard Charts the week of its release. The album was also a digital sensation, selling as the No. 1 album on iTunes that first week.

Ray LaMontagne’s July 12, 2009 collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl earned praise from the Los Angeles Times, describing Mr. LaMontagne as, “…quite a nimble vocalist, especially when he dips into New Orleans jazz and scruffy blue-eyed soul.” The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is the only orchestra that Mr. LaMontagne will collaborate with in his upcoming tour.

Ray LaMontagne, guitar and vocals
With his remarkable, rough hewn vocals and evocative, finely etched songs, Ray LaMontagne has, in but a few short years, become a regular at the top of the Billboard charts.  He released his much-anticipated third album Gossip in the Grain in October 2008, which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums, the Maine artist’s highest chart number in his career. Touching upon a range of styles and musical setting—spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry—Gossip in the Grain proves to be Mr. LaMontagne’s most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date. While his previous two albums Trouble (2004) and Till The Sun Turns Black (2006) introduced a plaintive, regretful, beautifully broken man, his latest album shows an ability to loosen up. Rolling Stone raved about the album and especially Mr. LaMontagne’s voice saying it was “full of the warm yearning of a young Van Morrison.” Freewheeling, confident, and utterly idiosyncratic, Ray LaMontagne is an artist without limits, a songwriter who is able to work his melodic gifts and distinctive lyricism through any of the myriad musical traditions which catches his fancy. He made his first appearance on “Saturday Night Live” this past winter.

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world’s most important orchestras. Acclaimed for its uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence, the Baltimore Symphony has attracted a devoted national and international following while maintaining deep bonds throughout the Maryland community through innovative education and community outreach initiatives.

Each season the BSO plays host to some of the world’s most renowned talents, including violinists Hilary Hahn and Joshua Bell, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In addition to its year-round classical programming, the BSO has been praised for its popular concerts. In recent years, the BSO has performed with artists such as Elvis Costello, Alison Krauss, Trey Anastasio, Ben Folds and The Decemberists. For more information about the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, visit BSOmusic.org.

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Presents Ray LaMontagne
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. – The Music Center at Strathmore
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Ray LaMontagne, guitar and vocals
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Tickets are $44.50. Public on-sale day is Saturday, August 8 at 10 a.m.* TICKET LIMIT IS 4.

*Tickets will be available through a real time fan club presale at http://www.musictoday.com beginning Monday, August 3 at 9:00 a.m. (EST) and ending at Tuesday, August 4  at 9:00 a.m. (EST).

*A presale for BSO subscribers will be available at www.ticketmaster.com  beginning Monday, August 3 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) and ending at 6:00 p.m. (EST).

*A presale for American Express Gold Card Members will be available though www.ticketmaster.com beginning August 3 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) and ending August 7 at 6:00 p.m. (EST).

*Tickets will be available to 9:30 Club and Merriweather Post Pavilion Patrons through www.ticketmaster.com beginning Friday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. (EST) and ending at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

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