Blue Day Opens for John Wayne's THE SEARCHERS at The Orpheum Tonight

The Orpheum's Summer Movie Series welcomes back Blue Day, a local Bluegrass staple, for a special pre-movie concert tonight, June 28 at 6:30 PM before the 7:00 PM showing of John Wayne in THE SEARCHERS.

Formed in 2008, Blue Day is Ed Richter (banjo), Rick Crenshaw (mandolin), Steve Craig (bass), and Tony Branham (guitar). The group will set the mood for this John Wayne classic with Bluegrass originals and Country-Western favorites.

"We always love playing at the Orpheum, and we're really looking forward to this concert," said Tony Branham, Blue Day's guitarist. "Our music will be a great prelude to a great Western, so we want people to come early and get into the spirit of THE SEARCHERS."

Considered one of John Wayne's best performances, THE SEARCHERS tells the story of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne). Returned from the Civil War to the Texas ranch of his brother, Edwards hopes to find a home with his family and to be near the woman he obviously (but secretly) loves. When a Comanche raid destroys these plans, and Ethan sets out, along with his 1/8 Indian nephew Martin (Jeffrey Hunter), on a years-long journey to find the niece (Natalie Wood) kidnapped by the Indians under Chief Scar. But as the quest goes on, Martin begins to realize that his uncle's hatred for the Indians is beginning to spill over onto his now-assimilated niece. Martin becomes uncertain whether Ethan plans to rescue Debbie...or kill her.

The Orpheum Theatre's 2013 Summer Movie Series, presented for a second year by Orion Federal Credit Union, commemorates the theatre's 85thAnniversary with the best-loved films of the past eight decades. The series will run from June to August at the Orpheum Theatre.

Included in the Summer Movie Series are Thursday Night Chick Flicks, Friday Night Classics, and Family Matinees. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).

Blue Day is a Bluegrass band that was formed in 2008 when four guys who occasionally jammed together realized that they had an energy and blend that demanded more. They began rehearsing and soon had a sizable collection of songs that ran the gamut from Bill Monroe to the Steeldrivers, with the occasional pop/rock cover thrown in. If you enjoy Blue Highway, IIIrd Tyme Out, The Steeldrivers, or Steve Earle, you're sure to love this band!

The Orpheum Theatre is operated by the Memphis Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that depends on the financial support of the community to carry out its mission to foster the enjoyment and understanding of the arts in Memphis, as well as the economic prosperity of Downtown and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com or call 901-525-7800. The Orpheum is located at 203 South Main Street Memphis, TN 38103.

Pictured: Ed Richter, Rich Crenshaw, Steve Craig, and Tony Branham as Blue Day. Photo courtesy of Blue Day.