By Mark Ambrogi
Heather Ramsey will have a much different role for two nights this month.
As the owner of the Warehouse, Ramsey is usually greeting visitors or tending bar.
“I can welcome them and entertain them instead of serving them drinks,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey will be giving two shows at 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at her venue, 254 First Ave., Carmel. The show will feature music by The Carpenters and Holiday favorites.
“We’re not trying to be the Carpenters, but it’s a tribute to their music,” she said.
Ramsey said there will be a spin on the arrangements that will be unique to the show.
“It’s going to be one of the most fun musical experiences in my life,” Ramsey said. “I’m just glad it’s featuring the music of one my all-time favorite singers (Karen Carpenter). My voice has gravitated toward her, but I have a decidedly more soul bent. (Karen) was straight pop.”
The Carmel resident will be accompanied by a jazz trio and backup singers.
“I’ve done some community festivals, but the last time I performed on a stage doing a feature concert by myself was the Jazz Kitchen in 2008,” Ramsey said.
Along with songs from The Carpenters, Ramsey will perform holiday songs like “Breath of Heaven” and Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
“In the second half, we’ll do a little holiday sing-along in the middle of which is a la my days at Purdue Musical Organizations. They always did a little sing-along in the second half,” Ramsey said. “We’ll also do a (Burt) Bacharach medley and another medley of Carpenters’ favorites that are not Christmas, like ‘Superstar’ and ‘We’ve Only Just Begun.’ They actually performed the Beatles’ ‘Good Night’ to close some of their TV shows, so we’re going to close with that.”
Joining Ramsey are Jon Ranard, arrangements/keyboards; Eddie McLaughlin, bass; Trevor Junga, drums; Brandon Tiek, baritone; Jake McDuffee, tenor; and David Meade, tenor.
Tiek, McDuffee and Meade were in Purdue’s Glee Club while Ramsey was in school. Ranard was Ramsey’s Purdue choral group director for three years.
For more, visit liveforthemusic.com.
