Ryan Humbert loves Christmas songs and for the last eight years he has performed them in his Holiday Extravagnza at Akron Civic Theatre. This year is no different, as Humbert will present his ninth annual event with A Very Country Christmas featuring music from Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts and special guest David Mayfield on Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 21.
The two shows will feature holiday classics, Shootouts original songs and country covers in a cabaret style performance. (Listen below to their cover of Neil Young’s “Get Back To The Country” from their show earlier this year at Music Box Supper Club in Cleveland.)
Joining Humbert will be his group Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts – guitarist Brian Poston, drummer Dylan Gomez, bassist Ryan McDermott, pedal steel guitarist Al Moss, and Humbert’s longtime harmony vocalist Emily Bates. Special guest David Mayfield will join the band on mandolin and banjo.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing the excitement of a Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts show to the Civic stage for this year’s Holiday Extravaganza,” said Humbert.
The shows will raise funds for Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s Muffins for Mammograms program. Now in its 24th year, the Muffins for Mammograms program provides free mammograms year-round for uninsured or under-insured women throughout Northeast Ohio.
“It’s still hard for me to believe that I’ve been presenting the Holiday Extravaganza for nine years now. This is our third year helping raise funds for our friends at Muffins for Mammograms,” Humbert says, “They help so many people in our community. My mother successfully beat breast cancer through treatment at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and I’m happy to give back to them to continue the important work they do.”
Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts to perform at PetFest at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina.
The event will also feature some live auctions during the show with all proceeds benefiting Muffins for Mammograms.
“Ryan is one of the hardest working area musicians I know,” said Howard Parr, Executive Director of the Akron Civic. “He always puts together a fantastic and unique holiday show, and we’re excited to welcome him again to raise funds for Muffins for Mammograms.”
Opening the show is Akron, Ohio native, David Mayfield, who grew up in a family band, moved to Nashville to be a sideman for major stars and then toured with Mumford & Sons while with the band Cadillac Sky.
Akron AAA Auto Club, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, FirstEnergy and The Summit FM are the official sponsors of the Holiday Extravaganza.
The Ninth Annual Ryan Humbert Holiday Extravaganza: Country Christmas is Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 21 at 7:30pm at Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $35 for two (date night special). Tickets are available now at the Akron Civic box office at 330-253-2488 and online at www.akroncivic.com or at all Ticketmaster locations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZBsGrWJw78
