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Legendary Songwriter Jimmy Webb Brings His Music to Syracuse; Local Native to Open the Show

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jimmywebb.com/media

Multiple grammy-winning songwriter Jimmy Webb is making a return to Syracuse, along with a special opening performance from a Syracuse native.  In his 50 year career, Webb has written songs performed by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Glenn Campbell to Linda Ronstadt and Donna Summer. 

Opening for him at the Palace Theatre will be Marissa Mulder, a rising young singer based in New York City.  WAER News spoke with both of them ahead of the Friday concert, starting with the line-up Webb will bring to Syracuse.

"I really try to mix it up, even though I have to play some hits.  If I go there and I don't play hits, I get static from the audience after the show.  'Why didn't you play By the Time I Get to Phoenix?'"

Webb also has a new album of solo piano arrangements called “Slipcover,” where he shares his take on compositions from The Rolling Stones, Randy Newman, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and others.  

"It's the first album I've done without singing, which takes a tremendous burden off me, to be honest.  I had just a wonderful time playing the piano.  It almost felt that each song needed a special approach."

Syracuse native Marissa Mulder says she's excited and grateful for the opportunity to open for Webb.

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"This really is a dream come true.  I'm going to do a set of an eclectic mix of different songwriters.  I sing a lot of different types of music.  I've done many of my own solo cabaret shows.  I sing Tom Waits music, Bob Dylan, Lennon and McCartney, I sing the songbook, I sing Jimmy Van Heusen, who came from Syracuse himself.  My set will be a nod to some of my favorite songwriters."

Mulder will be the opening act for Jimmy Webb at the Palace Theatre this Friday at 7:30 p.m.   Tickets and more information at Live Space Entertainment.

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.