Tag Archive for: Event

parkway billy mclaughlin

Celebrating Summer at The Parkway Theater

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Summer at the Parkway

The Parkway Theater, Minneapolis MN

Media Notice
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Martin Keller / Media Savant Communications
612-729-8585 / mkeller@mediasavantcom.com

 

A Rare Summer Solstice Concert from a Group Known For Its Christmas Shows

DRIVEN BY FAN DEMAND, SIMPLEGIFTS TO PERFORM A NIGHT OF DIVERSE MUSIC BY BILLY McLAUGHLIN, THE CIVIL WARS, NEIL YOUNG, PETER GABRIEL, RICKIE LEE JONES, CELTIC TUNES AND OTHERS AT PEPITO’S PARKWAY THEATER JUNE 19

MINNEAPOLIS — May 27, 2015 — Here’s a switch: SimpleGifits*, a group known for its lovely, harmonious vocals and strings only at Christmas is celebrating the Summer Solstice, two days early on June 19 at Pepito’s Parkway Theater in south Minneapolis at 8:00 p.m.
No Christmas music will be heard.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and available online at the SimpleGifts website www.simplegiftsmusic.net Pepito’s Parkway Theater is located at 4814 Chicago Ave S/Minneapolis, MN., 55417/www.theparkwaytheater.com.
What you will hear is original music by Billy McLaughlin who leads SimpleGifts, plus songs by The Civil War, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Rickie Lee Jones, some Celtic classics and other tunes by a superb line up musicians that includes: Billy McLaughlin, percussionist/drummer, Billy O, singers Ashleigh Still, Torie Redpath and Celtic star, Laura MacKenzie — plus special guest Melody Michelle Duncan, all the way from Mobile, Alabama, on violin and vocals.
“As longtime fans know, SimpleGifts has been hard to find in concert except during the short and dark days leading to Christmas. But this sunny solstice, we’re changing that, based on fan’s demand to hear SimpleGifts more than just during the holidays,” explains McLaughlin who put together the ensemble 13 years ago.
“Now we are finally giving everyone chance to hear us right near the official beginning of Summer, with a an wide variety of material ideally suited to the three-part female harmonies, plus the sounds of strings, piano, Celtic whistle and pipes. It’s going to be a treat for the ears on a nice summer’s eve.”
For more information — or to interview SimpleGifts or have them perform live in studio in advance of the June 19 date — please contact Martin Keller, Media Savant Communications, 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com
 
*About SimpleGifts
As long-time fans will tell you, SimpleGifts makes musical magic by bringing a modern flair to traditional Christmas carols and hymns. Staying close to the heart of Christmas by avoiding commercial and pop holiday repertoire has become the trademark of this award winning six-piece ensemble.
SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic whistle and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound. There is nothing ordinary about the arrangements this team delivers both in the studio and in concert. Seen by over 20,000 live audience members last season, this group continues to grow in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest and has successfully transitioned from their early days in coffeehouses and small listening rooms to prestigious performing art centers and larger churches.

 

Join the SimpleGifts Email List

 

simplegifts announces mid-year concerts

SimpleGifts Announces Mid-Year Concerts

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Minneapolis, MN —
simplegifts announces mid-year concerts

SimpleGifts

As longtime fans know, SimpleGifts has been hard to find in concert except the short and dark days during Christmas. Well, it’s time to change that!  SimpleGifts has THREE mid-year concerts coming up that we are happy to invite you to!

Come celebrate the longest days of summer with SimpleGifts, Billy McLaughlin and Laura MacKenzie at the Parkway Theater. Featuring Billy’s original music but don’t be surprised if a little Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Rickie Lee Jones, The Civil Wars and some awesome Celtic classics sneak in! We are excited to share the new summer sound of SimpleGifts!  Get ready for the new summer-sound of SimpleGifts!

Exciting news!  We just added another concert with Billy McLaughlin in Chanhassen MN on November 14th!  For continual updates keep checking the SimpleGifts website and/or join our mailing list by clicking the button below.

Join the SimpleGifts Email List

 

Join Billy at Andy Mckee's Musicarium

Join Billy at Andy Mckee's Musicarium

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We are excited to share with you an incredible opportunity that takes place August 2015!  Billy will be participating in Andy Mckee’s Musicarium August 3rd-6th, 2015.  This is a unique fingerstyle guitar summit hosted by Andy in which Billy will be instructing along side other fingerstyle guitar legends such as Antoine Dufour and Stephen Bennett.  For more information, watch the video and visit Andy Mckee’s Musicarium website, Facebook event and/or Facebook page.
Keep your eyes peeled as we get closer to the date and send out more information!

 

Information about Andy Mckee’s Musicarium

Welcome to Andy McKee’s fingerstyle guitar summit.

You and a very select group of like minded folks are about to connect with some of the world’s best acoustic guitar players, one of the world’s cutting-edge guitar builders, and the world’s finest string maker over music, friendship, personal mentoring, food, fun, frivolity, and, of course, hands-on demonstrations of the state-of-the-art in acoustic guitar playing. This one of a kind experience all takes place at Full Moon Resort, the year-round mountain resort in the heart of the “Forever Wild” Catskill Forest Preserve.

More information here.

new keynote topics

Billy’s New Keynote Topics

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Billy's New Keynote Topics

Billy’s New Keynote Topics


In the last few years, Billy has created and recreated several popular Keynotes. Ranging from his keynote “Adversity to Innovation”, to “Rethink Impossible”, Billy is excited to announce the creation of more new Keynote topics!
In addition to New Ways to Do It, Setback Before Success, and Making an Impact With All You’ve Got!, Billy now offers Keynote topics addressing Life After Diagnosis and Stop Listening to Experts.  Billy’s most popular Keynote presentations and their descriptions are available on Billy’s Keynote Topics page or by contacting Hannah Day.  Updates have also been made to Billy’s One Sheet.
Click here to download your copy of Billy’s One Sheet

Billy’s most popular Keynote Topics:

 

New Ways to Do It:  The Road to Reinvention

Billy encourages you to step out of your spectator’s seat and recognize your ability to take an active role in designing the future that you have imagined.
 

Setback before Success:  Accepting the Challenge that comes with Change

Billy combines solid, actionable advice with exceptional music and an entertaining style for an unforgettable experience that will change your perspective on the challenges you and your organization face.
 

Doing More With Less – Making an impact with all that you’ve got!

By realizing what still works and what still matters, you can make a significant difference, regardless of the obstacles. Listen to Billy’s story; you, too, will choose to be a “difference-maker”!
 

Stop Listening to Experts!

Billy’s keynote talk with just the right amount music will help you become the confident expert you know that you are – and show others around you the new paths that must be taken for you and your organization to succeed. Who did Steve Jobs listen too?
 

Life After Diagnosis

Billy has created this program especially for business, foundations, healthcare professionals, Insurance professionals and individuals who have been affected by sudden, future-changing events. He takes them along with him on a personal journey from diagnosis to self-discovery, which led him to a new and more exciting phase of his business development and career building future.

More available upon request.

Rotary District 5580

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Fargo, North Dakota – May 2014.
Photos by TJ Jensen.

FNC Inc.

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Florida – February 2014.
Photos by TJ Jensen.

Streaming for Dystonia

Streaming for Dystonia

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On Friday, January 24, Billy gave a very special concert. It was the first time he had performed simultaneously to a live audience and an audience around the world. The concert, “Streaming for Dystonia,” was sponsored by the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) as part of a crusade to increase awareness of dystonia and to help raise funds for medical research. “Somebody in your circle of friends has dystonia,” said Billy at the concert. “It comes in so many forms, from someone suffering from writers’ cramp to someone whose neck muscles spasm so that they can’t straighten up to someone whose voice has become progressively hoarse.” These are all symptoms of dystonia, which makes it’s difficult to recognize,” he explained.
Billy considers himself fortunate to have found a way around his dystonia. He explained to the audience the way he now plays his guitar, with his left hand, and how he had to learn to fail his way to success. “As with dystonia, you can’t be afraid,” said Billy. For three years, Billy had suffered from the symptoms without it being properly diagnosed. During that time he lost his home, marriage, recording contracts and his music. “I’m here to help people find a way out of the trap that is dystonia,” said Billy. “I’m lucky because I can still do something I love to do.”
Billy is passionate about advancing the entire field of neurosciences. “The power of a chronic condition like dystonia, Parkinson’s or epilepsy to beat us down is really tremendous,” he said. Billy finds it an amazing coincidence that DMRF began its research into dystonia in 1976, the same year that he started playing guitar. “The worst thing that ever happened to me has unfolded to be the best thing that ever happened. To have this opportunity to play my music with meaning and purpose is truly a blessing. Thank you to all who turned out and tuned in to build awareness of dystonia!”
For more information about DMRF or to make a contribution, visit www.dystonia-foundation.org.
Written by Linda Ruhland
 
 

Minnesota SHRM 2013 Conference

Billy Speaks at Minnesota SHRM 2013 Conference

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Minnesota SHRM 2013 Conference

Minnesota SHRM

Minnesota Society for Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) State Conference

On October 13, Billy McLaughlin kicked off the annual conference for the Minnesota Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The conference brought together human resource professionals and consultants for new ideas, shared thoughts and best practices in employee engagement, education and new ways at looking at HR problems. Following his kickoff speech, Billy, accompanied by his string quartet, added an unprecedented element to the evening’s festivities as well.  For an event that is typically filled with continuing education and legal content, Billy and his ensemble were a deviation from the norm. Attendees responded positively to Billy’s addition.
Mary Gummerson, office manager for McGladrey LLP and chair of this year’s SHRM event, said that Billy exceeded expectations. “He wonderfully related the HR profession into his experiences and challenges while entertaining us. He also reminded us through his challenges that the thinking we need to do to solve a problem is not always in front of us.” Mary commented that the SHRM conference does not usually have a musical component. “It was a good fit. Members raved about it; I heard people mention that Billy was fantastic.” She added that Billy’s combination of entertainment and speaking contributed to the overall success of the conference. “He has overcome difficult challenges to become an incredible inspirational speaker who reaches people on an emotional level,” she added.
Jennifer Taschner, human resources director for Fiduciary Counselling, Inc., was among the attendees at the SHRM event. She said, “The foundational core of our work is to know, understand and have empathy for the employees we serve. Yet, there is so much separation due to legal paperwork and compliance updates. Billy’s story brought me back. He made an emotional connection through which I was able to share in his trials, experience his success and see the happiness he now has for the work he is doing.”
In response to hearing Billy’s music at a SHRM conference, Jennifer said, “Music is important in everyone’s life; it touches us in many ways. When I was growing up, we had an improvisational music instructor in grade school. She taught us the value of free-form learning. That understanding has translated into my professional life. Through Billy’s music I am reminded to think creatively, especially in a world that is constantly changing. In my HR role, it’s important to see individuals for what their talents are.  Billy’s combination of music and an emotional message made sense, especially speaking to this group. He is an inspirational singer, songwriter and presenter with a unique style that you wouldn’t expect.”
 
All photos taken by TJ Jensen

spirit of success

Spirit of Success

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Spirit of Success

Spirit of Success


 
Anyone who knows me knows how much I believe in the power that we have within ourselves to change life for the better, even when challenges come our way. If all the tools, technology, experience and skill you accumulated were to be taken away overnight, like what happened to me, you’d still have 99.9 percent of what you need to move forward and make life a better place for yourself and those you care about. Looking back at what I learned, I believe we have only scratched the surface of our true potential as individuals and as a society. The source of that potential is not in knowing more things or having more money. It’s in the truth that becomes obvious once all those things are gone, when you finally pay attention to the person, the soul, who has been there all along.
For these reasons, and many more, I am looking forward to the Spirit of Success Summit, on October 17, when I will share the stage with some world-famous speakers who happen to live here in Minnesota. The Spirit of Success speakers include Harvey Mackay, Joan Steffend, Dave Horsager, Paul Scheele and me. Each of us has a powerful message to share about lessons we have learned from life, not books. Over the years, I have attended and presented to lots of business events. Often they focus on things like industry issues and trends, technical and economical subjects that change quickly. Spirit of Success is an event where we will talk about the one thing in life and business that is unchanging.
Along with the speakers you will meet that day, you will also meet some very special people who are inspired to attend this event. They are people who are looking for better ways to work and collaborate with others so that we can all get to where we want to go. Thinking about all that energy in one place and knowing the people who will be presenting at the Summit, I can tell you that, in addition to being inspired, we are going to have a lot of fun. If you want to join us, register at Spirit Of Success.
Interview with Secura Consultants

Interview with Secura Consultants

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Interview with Secura Consultants

Secura Consultants


 
Once a year, Secura Consultants hosts the Twin Cities DI Day. The annual event is designed to enlighten financial professionals on the many ways disability impacts the lives of individuals and their loved ones. It is also intended to encourage these professionals, through their roles as insurance providers, to help people avoid the devastating and unnecessary financial side effects that accompany a disability.
 
Last month marked Secura Consultant’s 12th annual Twin Cities DI Day, which was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. President George Davidson invited Billy as keynote presenter. “Billy wove a tapestry of story, talent and passion for music, which was an incredible experience for attendees,” he described.
 
According to George, much of Billy’s ordeal was the result of his loss of income due to the sudden onset of his disability. “When something like this happens it changes the complexion of everything,” he explained. It is an example of why George is committed to communicating the message that disability protection is an important part of planning for financial well being. He wants to make certain that people in the financial services industry include disability as part of the conversations they have with their clients. “It’s not all about fun and lake cabins, it’s also about risk planning,” he said.
In the 12 years that Secura Consultants has sponsored DI Day, George cannot remember anyone who has delivered more impact than Billy.
“He is an incredible star who will make it hard for us to provide comparable talent next year. His ability to be open, disarming, funny and engaging is rare. Often in a presentation, you get what feels like canned commentary.  While I am sure that Billy knew what he was going to say, it felt more like we were having a conversation with him. The same is true when he plays guitar, it comes through him and is very soulful. I had never seen him play before; I was mesmerized. It is clear that he is a unique talent. You can’t appreciate what he has lost until you hear what he has gotten back.”
 
In his efforts to curb the financial distress caused by disability George said, “All we can do is deliver the message. I don’t think that I could have found anyone better to do that than Billy. I have sent a correspondence about him to others who do what I do in this industry. He is a tremendous spokesperson.” George believes it is important that people fully understand financial impact of a sudden disability. “When I think of what it would’ve been like if Billy hadn’t made his turnaround; what the world would have lost!”
 

Pictures by TJ Jensen 2013

Tag Archive for: Event

Billy McLaughlin/Michael Gulezian – Duluth, MN

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Thursday, April 13, 2023 – 7:30pm – Duluth, MN
Sacred Heart Music Center
201 West 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55806
218-464-5464 / Website

Cost: $25 – $30

 

Finger-style acoustic guitarists Billy McLaughlin and Michael Gulezian will share the Sacred Heart stage for this rare, one-night-only, double-bill at 7:30 pm Thursday, April 13.

For decades, Billy McLaughlin astounded audiences around the world with his complex and rhythmic acoustic guitar music.

At the height of his international recording and touring career, Billy was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, a mysterious and yet-to-be-cured neuromuscular disorder that rendered him unable to play. But Billy did the unthinkable: He learned to play his complex music with the opposite hand. Now a Minnesota music treasure, McLaughlin continues to create his own original work and shine a light on the classics.

Michael Gulezian is one of the most highly acclaimed solo acoustic instrumental guitarists of our time. He’s a phenomenal technical guitarist with the rare ability to transcend his own virtuosity, creating music that touches and moves people at the deepest level. He is often compared to musicians such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges – guitarists who amaze us with what ten fingers and one guitar can do.

E-Tickets will be available for $25 at 10am Tuesday, Feb. 28 HERE. Paper tickets will be available at Globe News in Superior and Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth. Tickets will be available at the door for $30 while supply lasts. Doors at 6:30pm. Music at 7:30.

More information here!

Andy McKee’s Musicarium – Cambria CA

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Andy McKee’s Musicarium 2022

ANDY MCKEE’S MUSICARIUM 2022

Andy McKee’s Musicarium is an event for players and music-lovers of all ages, levels, interests, and tastes! Whether you are a master player, a beginner, or just an enthusiastic fan, our four-day programs offer activities and workshops for you. Our environments are non-competitive and are strictly about immersing oneself in the joys of music and our lovely surroundings!

July 18-22, 2022

Cambria Pines Lodge, Cambria, CA

4 Days and Nights of Musical Discovery

with Mike Dawes, Calum Graham,Trevor Gordon Hall, Christie Lenee
with Special Guest Billy McLaughlin

All event details available at andymckeesmusicarium.com