NewsOK
Judy Collins, left, and members of the Tulsa-based band Hanson, Taylor Hanson, Isaac Hanson and Zac Hanson, appear backstage Wednesday, May 3 at “A Celebration Of The Music Of Jimmy Webb: The Cake And The Rain,” a benefit concert marking the release of Webb’s new memoir “The Cake and the Rain” at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Photo provided by Al Pereira
NEW YORK CITY – Fellow Oklahoma natives Toby Keith, Hanson and B.J. Thomas; musical luminaries like Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, Graham Nash, Johnny Rivers and Dwight Yoakam; and Oscar-winning actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones paid homage to legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb Wednesday night at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Presented by City Winery, “A Celebration Of The Music Of Jimmy Webb: The Cake And The Rain” honored Elk City native Webb’s singular legacy and his timeless hit songs, including “Wichita Lineman,” “MacArthur Park,” “Galveston,” “Didn’t We,” and “All I Know.” Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association and the I’ll Be Me Foundation in honor of Jimmy’s dear friend Glen Campbell, according to a news release.
As previously reported, the lineup included Liz Callaway, Ashley Campbell (daughter of Glen Campbell), Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. (original members of the 5th Dimension) and Shelèa. Webb also performed, along with surprise guest Michael Feinstein.
This one-time concert event coincided with two milestones: Webb’s new memoir, “The Cake and The Rain,” released last month through St. Martin’s Press, and the upcoming 50th Anniversary of “Wichita Lineman.” “The Cake and the Rain” provides a snapshot of his unlikely rise in the 1960s, whipsawed from the proverbial humble beginnings into a moneyed and manic international world of beautiful women, drugs, cars and planes.
Webb will return to his home state for a Q&A and book signing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Oklahoma City’s Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway. For more information, go to fullcirclebooks.com. Look for my new interview with Jimmy Webb Sunday.
Check out these YouTube videos of some of the performances, including Keith’s grand ballad belting on “MacArthur Park” and the Hanson brothers’ stellar harmonies on “Highwayman.”
-BAM