‘FREEDOM SINGS’ TO BE PRESENTED OCT. 22 AT WKU’S VAN METER HALL

“Freedom Sings: Music that Matters,” an entertaining and thought-provoking show that celebrates free expression and music, will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Monday night at Western Kentucky University’s Van Meter Hall.

The innovative multimedia show featuring Grammy Award-winning and hit-making musicians celebrates the story of free speech in music in America. It features a soundtrack that ranges across classic rock, country, folk, soul and hip-hop songs.

“Freedom Sings: Music that Matters” is produced by the First Amendment Center and is part of the “Freedom Sings”® concert series, which has toured America since 1999. Admission is free and open to the public.

“This unique presentation about the First Amendment uses music that has been banned, censored, or that has served as a social anthem for change throughout our nation’s history,” said Gene Policinski, narrator of the presentation at WKU and senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center. “The show also highlights our First Amendment freedoms as that part of the Bill of Rights that has constant engagement with the ways we live as Americans.”

The program is sponsored by WKU’s School of Journalism & Broadcasting, Department of Political Science, Political Engagement Project and the Institute for Citizenship and Social Responsibility.

Performers at the WKU concert will include:

Bill Lloyd, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, and part of the 1980s country-rock duo, Foster and Lloyd

Jonell Mosser, one of Nashville’s most popular and versatile musical performers

Ashley Cleveland, three-time Grammy Award-winner in the rock gospel category

Suzi Ragsdale, singer and songwriter with a marvelously expressive voice

Shannon Wright, breakthrough singer and songwriter; with husband Adam, the duo “The Wrights”

Pat Buchanan, one of Nashville’s most admired guitarists and session players

Craig Krampf, legendary drummer with multiple gold and platinum records

About the First Amendment Center: The First Amendment Center works to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms through information, education and entertainment. The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government. The Center has offices on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., in the John Seigenthaler Center; and in Washington, D.C., at the Newseum. It is an operating program of the Freedom Forum, and is associated with the Newseum and the Diversity Institute.