Kevin Costner - the famed actor and director of Oscar nominated films including Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard and JFK, among others, and the acclaimed History Channel mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys, returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse with his band, Kevin Costner & Modern West, a rock/country band formed with encouragement from Costner’s wife. The band, who began touring worldwide in October 2007, is made up primarily of Kevin Costner, Blair Forward, John Coinman, Teddy Morgan, Larry Cobb, Park Chisolm. Fans can get up close and personal with Costner on Monday, August 22 at 8pm as part of the Mountain Dew Country and Bluegrass Series and Pepsi Rock Series Powered by xfinity. This event is partially underwritten by JT Farm and Nutmeg Livery Service and the media sponsor is WEBE 108fm.
Costner says, “I always thought that music could build a stronger, more personal moment for me. It would create the opportunity for a genuine exchange much greater than the movie, TV interview or magazine.” The band released its first album, Untold Truths in 2008, followed by their second album Turn It On in 2010. Shortly after, Kevin Costner & Modern West toured Europe with the album charting in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Greece. From Where I Stand, the bands third album was released in 2011 and included vocals from the German pop singer Nena. Kevin Costner & Modern West continue to tour, playing shows across the United States and abroad. In the past four years, Kevin Costner & Modern West have toured all over the world, including USO concerts overseas.
Kevin admits a lot of his audience members are there for the “curiosity factor,” knowing they enjoy his movies but perhaps skeptical of his musical abilities. But he sees that as more of an opportunity than a nuisance. “I don’t try to run away from that relationship I’ve had for over 20 years with people in the dark,” he insists. “The worst thing I could do would be to try to divorce myself of what I’ve done and show up in black leather pants and go, ‘I’m a serious musician.’ [laughs] That would not only not be who I am, I think that’s a fundamental mistake. I love that we’ve had this relationship based on the movies. What we all hope for is for our relationships to expand and surprise us … There are a lot of people who play music, and just because you’re famous doesn’t mean you should automatically be listened to. I understand the advantages of what I have, and I’m very cognizant of the disadvantages. And I can only try to make that that go away within the first minute of playing.”
For tickets ($110), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.