Karla Bonoff and Jimmy Webb
11-20-2015
Two Hall of Fame and Grammy-winning songwriters share the stage and their most famous compositions. Karla Bonoff has written hits for Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, Lynn Anderson, Warren Zevon and, most notably, Linda Ronstadt. Jimmy Webb provided career-making classics for Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, The Fifth Dimension, Joe Cocker and many, many more. But to call Webb and Bonoff "songwriters" doesn't do justice to the fact that both have also released (and sung on) their own wonderful albums over the years.
Karla Bonoff has been described as one of the finest singer-songwriters of her generation and, in her case, the description is not exaggerated. With a career spanning four decades, she has enjoyed critical acclaim, commercial success, enduring popularity and the unwavering respect of her peers. Starting out at an open mic at LA's Troubadour Karla found herself singing backup for LInda Ronstadt, who recorded three of Bonoff's songs on her album, Hasten Down the Wind. This led to a recording contract for Bonoff and the release of three albums, the last of which, Wild Heart of the Young, featured the Top 40 hit “Personally." Writing hit songs for Ronstadt and many others, Karla became one of the most successful songwriters of her generation. Billboard Magazine put it best, "Long before Alanis and Jewel, there was a breed of singer/songwriters whose earthly anthems of soul-searching, heartache and joy touched souls in a way few can muster today." Her songs have also been featured in several films, such as "About Last Night" (with co-writer J.D. Souther), "Footloose" and "8 Seconds."
The critical acclaim Jimmy Webb has received during his more than 40 years of success is as remarkable as his accomplishments. The composer and singer is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and is the only artist ever to have won Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. Jimmy is best known for the astonishing string of multi-platinum hits he has provided for artists such as Glen Campbell (“By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston”), Richard Harris (“MacArthur Park”), the Fifth Dimension (“Up, Up and Away”), the Brooklyn Bridge (“The Worst That Could Happen”), Art Garfunkel (“All I Know”), Linda Ronstadt (“Easy For You To Say”) and the Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson country supergroup The Highwaymen (“The Highwayman”), among many, many others. Whatever your preferred genre of music is, chances are there's a Jimmy Webb song on your personal playlist. Each night during his live shows, Webb reminds audiences why this preacher's son from Oklahoma has been a hit maker since the age of 16 and a beacon through five generations of the Great American Songbook, enhancing his virtuoso performance of iconic tunes with riveting tales of the inspiration behind some of pop music's biggest songs and singers, and a humorous tour into the days and nights of a songwriting prodigy.
More than just a concert, an evening with Karla Bonoff and Jimmy Webb in performance is a master class you can sing along with.