April 25, 2003

American Original Rosanne Cash Kicks Off Summer Season of Yankee Remix: Artists Take on America at MASS MoCA

(North Adams, Mass.) On Sunday, May 25, at 8:00 P.M. alternative country legend Rosanne Cash and her five-piece band come to North Adams to inaugurate the MASS MoCA summer season and celebrate the opening of the exhibition Yankee Remix: Artists Take on New England. After nearly a decade-long hiatus, Cash has just released a critically acclaimed new album, Rules of Travel. As the Dallas Morning News says, "Rosanne Cash has one of those familiar voices," continuing, "the warm, slightly husky tone, the soulful expressiveness and the earthy delivery of intelligent, accessible lyrics. Her pipes are like old friends. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen each other, you reconnect immediately."

Billboard magazine wrote, "The intelligence and grace of Rosanne Cash has been largely absent of late on the country landscape, and for that reason alone, new material from her is welcome.  Mature and impeccably produced by Cash's husband, John Leventhal, Rules of Travel revels in inspired musicianship and melodic, well-written songs." Country Music Magazine calls Rules of Travel "her richest music ever."

"We are honored to have an original American voice launch the summer season with what promises to be a superb concert," said Joseph Thompson, director of MASS MoCA. "On our stages and in our galleries, MASS MoCA visitors will discover an exciting and unique array of artists re-imagining, re-spinning and re-inventing the American Dream: Cash falls squarely in that tradition, creating vibrant new songs from a deep reservoir of American tradition and musical style."

Daughter of Johnny Cash, one of the legendary musicians of the 20th century, Rosanne Cash is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. Her eleven record albums, released over the last twenty years, have charted eleven number-one singles. She has earned numerous accolades for songwriting and performing.

Cash recorded her first album, Right Or Wrong, in 1979. In the following 10 years, Cash released Seven Year Ache, which yielded both country and crossover hits Rhythm and Romance, a widely acclaimed fusion of country and pop and King's Record Shop, which generated four number one singles. She was named Billboard's Top Singles Artist in 1988. The early 1990s saw the release of the critically acclaimed, highly personal albums Interiors and The Wheel. 10 Song Demo, a stark, minimally produced "home" recording, was released in 1996.

Cash's absence from the music scene over the past several years was caused by complications from her 1998 pregnancy which temporarily damaged her vocal chords. For more than a year after giving birth to her son, she could only speak in a rasp and, even after her voice returned, it took another year for her to be able to sing a full set of songs again. Cash's new recording, Rules of Travel, which includes a host of guest stars ranging from Steve Earle, Sheryl Crowe, and Jakob Dylan to her famous father, was released in March 2003.

Cash is more than a singer/songwriter. A published author, her first book, Bodies of Water (Hyperion, 1995), received widespread critical acclaim, as did her children's book, Penelope Jane: A Fairy's Tale (HarperCollins, 2000). Her essays and fiction have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Oxford-American and New York magazine.

Rosanne Cash in concert is co-presented by Iron Horse Entertainment Group and sponsored by WRSI 93.9 The River.

Tickets to Rosanne Cash in concert are $32.50 orchestra/$27.50 mezzanine. MASS MoCA members get 10% off. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located on Marshall Street in North Adams from 11 am – 5 pm, closed Tuesdays. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or online anytime at www.massmoca.org.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located on Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

MASS MoCA 1040 MASS MoCA Way North Adams, MA 01247 413.MOCA.111 www.massmoca.org

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org