Business

'Music on the Rock' pays tribute to Sting

Michael Murnoch

By Bill Moss, Published: May 15, 2013

Music on the Rock will feature A Tribute to Sting and The Police on May 23 at the Playhouse Downtown.

Born Gordon Matthew Sumner on Oct. 2, 1951, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, Sting first rose to fame as part of the legendary rock group The Police in the 1970s and '80s, and later made a name for himself as a successful solo artist. He earned his unusual nickname from the black and yellow sweater he used to wear during his early days as a musician.

While often identified as part of the punk and new wave musical scenes, The Police had a sound that was hard to pin down, filled with many influences from jazz to progressive rock. With its unique sound, the group continued to attract new fans with its second album Reggatta de Blanc (1979). While Sting wrote the two biggest singles on the album—"Message in a Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon"—it was the instrumental composition "Reggatta de Blanc," created by all of the group's members that won The Police their first Grammy Award (best rock instrumental performance) in 1980.
A Tribute to Sting and The Police will feature vocalist Michael Murnoch. Returning to Flat Rock Playhouse will be Ryan Guerra. Guerra has performed in previous productions at the Playhouse, including Music on the Rock tributes to the Beatles, Beach Boys and Neil Diamond, as well as For the Glory and Celtic Christmas.
Alongside Guerra (guitar, violin, piano) and Murnoch, the show includes Ryan Lassiter (drums), Will Moss (keyboard) and Charles Holland (bass).

A Tribute to Sting and The Policeplays at Playhouse Downtown May 23-25 and May 30-June 1. Performances will be Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm each evening. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732 8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org. Playhouse Downtown is located at 125 S. Main Street in Hendersonville.