By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Anyone looking for inexpensive entertainment at a good price can find it this weekend at the Gardendale Civic Center.

“Stars Fell on Gardendale” will offer up a variety of musical and comedy acts with proceeds benefiting Faulkner University. Tickets for the show are $10.

Headlining the show will be Gardendale-based a capella group, Blast from the Past. Decked out in 1950s attire, the group will perform a repertoire of songs from the early days of rock and roll.

Blast from the Past members Brenda Michell and Daryl Shackleford were formerly part of Back in Time, another a capella singing group. She said the two formed the new group so they could expand their song selection and travel more.

“We do all the 1950s and 1960s songs, but we have a new set list,” she said. “We don’t impersonate; we try to recreate the look, feel and sound of the originals.”

The rest of the group is rounded out by Tiffany Mitchell (Brenda’s daughter) and Barry Wiginton.

The group is also acting as organizers of the event. Shackleford, a Faulkner alumnus, said he’s seen all of the scheduled acts personally and promises a quality show.

More importantly, he said the event gives him a chance to give back to the school and teachers that helped shape him. One of those people is Joey Wiginton, vice president of student services at Faulkner, who will serve as master of ceremonies at the event.

“He’s probably the one guy that influenced my life at a point when I could have not done well,” Shackleford said. “He put me back in the right direction.”

Other acts scheduled to appear include: Cornerstone, an all-male gospel quartet based at Faulkner University; Azure, another a capella gospel group that mixes southern gospel with an occasional hint of bluegrass; singer and impressionist Kevin Adams who does musical tributes to everyone from Sonny and Cher to Stevie Wonder; David “Barney” Mitchell, a Barney Fife tribute artist; and Elvis tribute artist Ron Adams, also known as the “Shadow of the King.”

Despite being held on the same day as Fultondale’s Founder’s Day festival, Mitchell predicts a great show and a great turnout.

“We have something for everybody and I think it’s something the City of Gardendale deserves,” she said. “This is a Christian community and everyone in this show is a Christian. It will be a fun family event for all ages.”

The show will be held in the civic center’s exhibition hall. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. and the show begins at 6.

Tickets for “Stars Fell on Gardendale” can be purchased at Main Street Cafe, Standard Furniture and Massage by Daryl, located inside 98 Degrees Tanning Salon on Main Street in Gardendale. Tickets can also be purchased at the civic center at the door.

For more information, contact Mitchell at 681-5911 or e-mail her at blastfromthepastshow@yahoo.com.