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DON McLEAN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF AMERICAN PIE @ BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER

By Staff Intern on May 2, 2023

ON SALE DETAILS FOR NEW SHOW JUST ANNOUNCED

Don McLean, photographed in a live concert performance. (Photo Credit: Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023

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BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER
NASHVILLE, INDIANA

Tickets on sale this Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m.

Nashville, Ind. (April 4, 2023) – GRAMMY Award honoree, Songwriters Hall of Fame member, and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Don McLean will celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic songs and albums ever, live at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Ind., on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m. and will be available at www.browncountymusiccenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and at the venue box office (open Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. via outdoor ticketing windows and phone sales at (812) 988-5323). The box office is now cashless, and accepts debit and credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Any box office related inquiries beyond purchasing tickets for an upcoming show should be directed to boxoffice@browncountymusiccenter.com.

As tragic as the backstory behind the song “American Pie” is with the much too early death of the new rock’n’roll-hope Buddy Holly, the track is also magnificent and legendary. And “American Pie” still goes to heart as soon as originator Don McLean plays this classic at his concerts. Still, it’s worth remembering that the 76-year-old composer has written and sung numerous other melodic and harmonic successes in his decades-long career with “Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air,” “And I Love You So,” and “Cryin’,” all of which will be heard and reveled in along with newer pieces on the upcoming tour.

The eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” has been making history since its release in 1971. Alongside songs by other icons such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Woody Guthrie, and Aretha Franklin, McLean’s composition was also voted “Song of the 20th Century.” Handwritten lyrics to the song were auctioned off for more than $1.2 million in 2015, and the composition was added to the Library Of Congress National Recording Registry two years later. Here, you’ll only find a few selected evergreens, such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” So much for the cultural significance of Don McLean and his 1971 stroke of genius!

Over the years, the song has been covered again and again by music icons like Madonna and Garth Brooks. Rapper Drake repeatedly sampled McLean tunes and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur also cited him as an important influence.

Accordingly, the complete discography of the legendary and still active singer/songwriter is also significant. Among other things, Don McLean has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame in 2004. And he never gets tired of writing new songs and new stories. In 2018, the sound senior released his 19th studio album, ‘Botanical Gardens’ which received rave reviews. Songs from it subsequently proved themselves live and will maybe even find their way into the setlist next year, alongside “American Pie” and all the other feats from this decades-spanning and unparalleled composition and performance career.

About the Brown County Music Center: Nestled on the banks of Salt Creek and located less than one mile from the largest state park in Indiana and the Town of Nashville, the Brown County Music Center is a visual and auditory masterpiece. Since its opening in August 2019, the 2,000-seat live performance venue has hosted artists spanning world-class rock, blues, country, pop, jazz, oldies, throwback artists, and more, offering an incredibly intimate experience for each show with the farthest seat from the stage only 106 feet away. Nationally renowned performers have included Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, The Beach Boys, Jason Bonham, Graham Nash, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Ben Folds, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, America, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Gladys Knight, Air Supply, YES, Sara Evans and many more. Please check www.browncountymusiccenter.com for the latest show updates and follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About Brown County, Ind.: No matter what you’re looking for, escape comes naturally in Brown County. Eclectic boutiques and galleries, breathtaking scenery, welcoming accommodations, and endless outdoor adventures await in one of America’s original artists’ colonies. From art to the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and for most, it’s only a short drive away. Unplug from daily life and reconnect with one another as you experience the rustic beauty and artisanal charm of Brown County. Brown County is a place for many diverse tastes and interests. Plan your escape today! You’ll be glad you did.