2008 Woodie Awards
Acoustic guitarist to make fifth appearance at CMU
By: Ian Glennie and Joe Borlik
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Lifeline
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"He's one of my favorites," said Andrea Galvez, St. Clair Shores junior and On The Fly music co-chair. "He's an amazingly talented performer. He doesn't just play music, he also chats and jokes with the audience. Also, he's a really nice guy."
LeVasseur will perform Saturday, looking to entice a new batch of students with his acoustic-based original music, energy and sense of humor. His performance will celebrate On The Fly Production's 10th anniversary.
"We could not think of a better person to celebrate this with," said Dani Hiar, OTF adviser. "He's a very funny, wonderful acoustic musician who's been a regular at CMU."
LeVasseur will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday in Bovee University Center Auditorium. The show is open to the public.
Nikki Wencel, OTF Music co-chair and Bad Axe senior, described LeVasseur as a folk acoustic guitar player but said it was difficult to peg a specific genre to his music.
She said he is personable with audience members, as if he were someone they may have known for a long time.
"He's like a friend that's just hanging out but at the same time has a great sense of professionalism," she said.
It cannot be pigeonholed into one category, LeVasseur said. Although his songs stem from a rock-and-roll background, traces of folk, pop and country can be detected in his sound. Whatever his style is, LeVasseur said his performances always are dependent on spontaneity.
"I love playing at CMU," LeVasseur said. "Every show, I am inspired by the room, the day and the people that are there. There's probably not a show in the last four years that I haven't done something that's surprising, even to myself."
This stream of consciousness element plays a tremendous role in generating an exciting atmosphere.
Campus Activities Magazine has affirmed LeVasseur's great concert atmosphere and talent by naming him Best Small Venue Performer in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Association of the Promotion of Campus Activities named him the best solo performer in 2008 as well.
LeVasseur has opened up for such acts as John Mayer, The Roots, The Wallflowers and Dave Matthew's Band.
CMU alumnus and former OTF Music co-chair Adam Wilson said he has connected with LeVasseur's 'daily life' message.
"It's like the soul of the everyday person," Wilson said. "I like the metaphor in his music."
lifeline@cm-life.com
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