Clark State Community College will present the Richard and Barbara Kuss Memorial Concert featuring Jim Witter at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Avenue in downtown Springfield.
“It is Clark State's great privilege each year to honor Mr. and Mrs. Kuss and their incomparable impact upon our community,” said Kristin Culp, vice president of external affairs at Clark State. “The applause at each performance in the Kuss Auditorium belongs, in part, to them.”
Among his many lifelong achievements, Richard Kuss was the first honoree of the Clark State Community College Founder's Award. After chairing a successful fundraising campaign for Clark State, the Kuss Auditorium was named in honor of him and his wife Barbara. The first memorial concert was held in 2011.
Witter will perform “The Songs I Write – The Music of Barry Manilow.” He has been performing professionally for the last 30 years. Witter also performed at the Clark State Performing Arts Center for the Kuss Memorial Concert in 2013 with the music of Simon and Garfunkel.
Witter’s first break came in his early 20s when Sony Music Canada signed him to an artist development deal which led to a record deal with FRE records in Toronto. Witter’s self-titled debut album garnered five top ten radio hits, three hit videos and numerous awards. Witter’s album “Forgiveness” was nominated for a Dove Award for “Inspirational Album of The Year” in Nashville.
Tickets for the Richard and Barbara Kuss Memorial Concert are required, but are complementary thanks to the show’s sponsor, the Carlton F. and Ruth Davidson Trust. Tickets are available at the Clark State Performing Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 937.328.3874.