Sykes, Roger Cook, Buzz Cason, Jed Zimmerman among artists to perform

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – March 17, 2011 - Songwriters who have penned many top-selling hits will be featured at the Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend, a two-night showcase set for Friday and Saturday, May 13-14, at the historic Arlington Hotel.

The event is the brainchild of Keith Sykes, the Memphis singer-songwriter whose compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, the Judds, John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, George Thorogood and many other rock and country superstars. Sykes co-wrote “Volcano,” a major Buffett hit, and has performed on “Saturday Night Live” and “Austin City Limits.” He has played in Hot Springs for years, and his songwriter showcase has grown annually. In addition to Sykes, performers this year include:

• Roger Cook: The prolific British-born, Nashville-based songwriter co-wrote “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” the famed jingle for Coca-Cola that became a smash radio hit. Cook also co-wrote “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress),” a major hit for the Hollies, as well as “I Believe in You,” which Don Williams made a country No. 1; “Doctor’s Orders,” a disco hit by Carol Douglas; “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again,” a 1970s hit by the Fortunes; “My Baby Loves Lovin’,” by White Plains; “One Night at a Time,” a No. 1 hit for George Strait; “Talking in Your Sleep,” a No. 1 hit by Crystal Gayle; and “You’ve Got Your Troubles” by the Fortunes. His songs have been also been recorded by Deep Purple, Elton John, George Strait, Bette Midler and Neil Diamond.
• Buzz Cason: This veteran has written dozens of hit songs, including “Everlasting Love,” which Carl Carlton took to the top of the charts in the 1970s. In fact, Cason the only songwriter credited with cuts by pop icons, the Beatles, Pearl Jam and U2. In addition, he has provided backing vocals on albums by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Buffett and Conway Twitty.
• Jed Zimmerman, Grace Askew and Delta Joe Sanders are popular performers on the Memphis singer-songwriter scene, and Shannon Boshears is one of the top draws on the Little Rock club circuit. All have albums to their credit.

The Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend includes these shows in Rooms B and C on the Arlington Hotel’s mezzanine level:

• An 8 p.m. concert Friday, May 13
• A 11:00 a.m. “Blood Marys with Jed and Joe” concert Saturday, May 14
• An 8 p.m. show Saturday, May 14

The event is sponsored by Ben E. Keith Foods. Tickets are $50 and include admission to all three concerts. They are available in advance at www.keithsykes.com and at the Arlington on the concert weekend. There will be a silent auction filled with music-related memorabilia and other treasured items, with proceeds benefiting the Tim Mathis Memorial Scholarship Fund. For hotel reservations, call the Arlington Hotel at 800-643-1502 and ask for the Keith Sykes party.

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