Hudson Shad to put comic twist on popular tunes

Crooners from Chicago hope to make their debut Saturday in Evans a memorable one.

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Hudson Shad, which consists of five classical vocalists and one pianist, will perform popular songs from the 1920s to the 1960s with a humorous twist.

"They do a little bit of everything," said Christine Riffle, the marketing manager for the Augusta Symphony. "It's almost a theatrical performance combined with the singing."

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in the Columbia County Library as part of the Augusta Symphony Columbia County Music Series.

Hudson Shad will perform tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, The Mills Brothers, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Judy Garland and other artists. The concert is formatted like a variety show.

The group of classically trained vocalists began performing in 1992. Hudson Shad has performed throughout Germany and the U.S., but never in Georgia.

"It's going to be nice to sing Georgia on My Mind in the state of Georgia," said bass vocalist Wilbur Pauley. "We've never done that one in Georgia before, so it's going to be fun."

Hudson Shad also will perform Oliver Knussen's Where the Wild Things Are at the Atlanta Symphony Hall on Friday and Sunday.

Pauley said he is looking forward to playing in Georgia and would like to perform more often in the South.

"We just want to give the best we can find," said Sandra Self, the executive director of the Augusta Symphony. "Hudson Shad was just a dream come true."

Tickets cost $30. Full-time students and military personnel can purchase tickets for $7 on the concert night if tickets are available.

For more information, visit www.augustasymphony.org, or call (706) 826-4705.