New Orleans-based singer, songwriter, fiddler and actress Amanda Shaw is part of a new breed of young, roots-based musicians who have embraced both traditional and pop sounds, creating music that is both authentic and bold. At the age of 20, Shaw is a seasoned entertainer with a substantial audience across the southern U.S., and, through her energetic and rhythmic sound she is gaining an increasing national presence. Now for the first time, Amanda Shaw is coming to Ocean Springs for a special concert (“AN EVENING WITH AMANDA SHAW & THE CUTE GUYS”) that will be held at Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education on Saturday, May 28th, at 7pm.

Attracted to the violin at the age of three after hearing an orchestra on television, Shaw first studied classical music, and became the youngest performer ever to solo with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, at the age of seven. Although she is not of Cajun descent, she became captivated by local Cajun and country fiddle styles, and was soon leading her own band, playing Cajun fiddle tunes, originals and, eventually, covers of pop songs by the likes of The Ramones and The Clash. Word of her talent and exciting performances spread quickly. She’s also received numerous local awards, including a Big Easy Award for Best Female Entertainer when she was only 14. She performed twice on The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1999 and 2001), opened locally for Charlie Daniels and played onstage with Cyndi Lauper. With her charismatic on-camera presence, she was recruited to star in two Disney television movies, Now You See It (2005) and Stuck in the Suburbs (2004). On the brink of teen stardom, Shaw chose instead to pursue a different path, applying herself ever more seriously to her music.

Shaw and Grammy® award-winning Rounder producer/VP of A&R Scott Billington began working together in 2004, cutting a demo session at the legendary and now destroyed Ultrasonic Studio in New Orleans. For two years, they diligently worked on developing the repertoire recorded on Pretty Runs Out. Since then, Her first two self-released albums, Little Black Dog and I’m Not a Bubblegum Pop Princess, have consistently been among the top ten best sellers at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, where she has drawn record crowds since she was 10. Ms. Shaw is now ready to take the national stage with her fourth album, Good Southern Girl, and re-introduce herself to the industry as an adult. With the Spring 2010 release of Good Southern Girl, Shaw succeeds in translating the culture, vibrancies, and eclectic spirit of Louisiana to the rest of the world under the guise of a perfectly assembled 13-track set.

Tickets for the performance are $15 and may be purchased online at www.themaryc.org , at the Mary C Box Office, or by calling (228) 818-2878 for more information.

This event was made possible through the support of The Gulf Hills Hotel.

IF YOU GO:

When: Saturday, May 28th – 7pm

Where: The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education, 1600 Government Street in Ocean Springs

· Tickets: $15, Reserved Seating. Tickets may be purchased online at www.themaryc.org, at the Mary C Box Office, or by calling (228) 818-2878.