Arts Center kicks off Music Series "Meet the Artist"

CNY Community Arts Center is excited to announce an evening of entertainment, food and beverages to kick off a new music series “Meet the Artist.” The event will be held at the new Community Arts Center March 22 from 7-9 pm and introduce Tom Rasely, accomplished fingerstyle guitarist eager to share his musical style with Central New York audiences. This inaugural Music Series evening will also serve as a fundraising event with tours of the Center’s theatre and gallery. The series is intended to spotlight area musicians new to the CNY Community Arts Center stage.

Tom, a Central New York native whose mother resides in Oswego, returns to the area after a distinguished career as a guitarist, composer, teacher, author, and recording artist. He has toured 26 states and parts of Canada and performed twice at the White House for Christmas VIP tours, in 1998 and 2002. His concerts often include the unique audience-participation improv, original music, and many familiar melodies. His live gigs also include basic blues seminars, and a variety of background music venues.

As a recording artist, Tom has appeared on over 80 recording projects, many featuring his original music. Tom also plays most of his own keyboard parts, and quite a bit of auxiliary percussion on his recordings. 

As a teacher, Tom has taught thousands of players: at his private studio; at the NPM Guitar Schools all across the country; as Director of the Norwich Guitar School; and at the National Guitar Workshop in Connecticut. Two of Tom's songs were featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine: "Innuendo" in Issue #61, and "La Valse" Issue #64 and his arrangement of "Jupiter" (by Gustav Holst) on Fingerstyle Guitar Journal on-line. Tom has written several guitar instruction books, including the "Chord Chart Guitar Method" (self-published), "Stuck in a Rut" [Emergency Road Service for Guitarists and Other Musicians] (Amazon e-book), and "Types and Uses of the Capo" (Mel Bay Publications).

Tom began playing the guitar in 1964, shortly after the Beatles hit the American music scene, and greatly influenced by his father, Charles Rasely, a Juilliard School graduate ('42), teacher, singer, composer, pianist, violinist,  and conductor. Other "mentors" include Donald B. Miller and Phil Klein. Tom had a vast training in music theory, having studied music at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse NY and received a Bachelor of Music Ed. from SUNY Fredonia ('73).

“I am delighted Tom has offered to share his talent and his music with us, helping us raise funds to complete the new center,” said Nancy Fox, Executive Director, “and kicking off this Music Series as part of the expanded programming we will offer in our new venue.”

To learn more about Tom Rasely, visit www.rasely.com. Tickets are available at the door, or call 315-598-ARTS (2787) for reservations. Community Arts Center is located at 121-125 Cayuga St in Fulton. Visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com for more information.

CAPTION: CNY Arts Center welcomes Tom Rasely, celebrated fingerstyle guitarist, to perform in concert March 22 from 7-9pm. Tickets are available at the door, or call 315-598-ARTS (2787) for reservations. Visit www.CNYArtsCenter.com for more information.