Media Advisory: An Evening with Robert Randolph & The Family Band Friday

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:
An Evening with Robert Randolph & The Family Band to Benefit the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Presented by Leo Alfred Jewelers

WHEN:
Friday, May 22, 2009
Doors open at 6 p.m.; 8 p.m. concert

WHERE:
Digger & Finch Fine Scottish Grille & Pub
6720 Riverside Drive
Dublin, OH 43017

WHO:
Robert Randolph & the Family Band are a multicultural funk and soul band from Orange, New Jersey. Robert Randolph, the featured guitarist, began his musical journey as a pedal steel guitarist in the House of God Church in Irvington, New Jersey. The pedal steel guitar is often referred to by many African American Pentecostal style churches as Sacred Steel, which is how Randolph was discovered -- playing at a sacred steel convention in Florida. Randolph & the Family Band is composed of Danyel Morgan on the bass and Marcus Randolph on the drums. The band says that 1970s groups like Earth, Wind & Fire, and Sly, & the Family Stone (another band composed of former members of the Church of God in Christ), inspire their sound.

The first Robert Randolph & the Family Band album, Live at the Wetlands, was released in 2002, a year before the band released their studio debut, Unclassified on August 5, 2003.

They attracted the attention of Eric Clapton, and have toured with the guitarist on several occasions. Their third album, Colorblind, featuring Eric Clapton, was released October 10, 2006. They have also recorded with and accompanied O.A.R, a local band who got their start on Ohio States campus, as well as the Dave Matthews Band. Robert Randolph & the Family Bands music has been featured in numerous television commercials and used by ABC to promote their NBA and WNBA telecasts.

Jack Nicklaus II is serving as honorary chairperson of the benefit concert.

WHY:
To support the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, one of the largest and finest neonatal networks in America as ranked by U.S.News & World Report. Since 1976, the Memorial Tournament has raised more than $6 million to support the programs and services at Nationwide Childrens. In May of 2005, the Memorial Tournament announced a multi-year pledge with Nationwide Childrens, extending a successful 30-year partnership with the hospital as the Tournaments primary charitable beneficiary. In recognition of the Memorials pledge, which will elevate the level of giving to more than $11 million in the coming years, Nationwide Childrens dedicated its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in honor of the Tournament.

INTERVIEW/PHOTO/VIDEO/OPPORTUNITIES:
All requests to interview Robert Randolph & the Family Band must be placed by 5 p.m. the day before the concert, Thursday, May 21, 2009. The band is also available for pre-concert phone interviews upon request. Note: No flash photography for the first three songs.

CONTACTS:
Tom Sprouse, Media Director, the Memorial Tournament, (614) 889-6791
Mary Ellen Peacock, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, (614) 355-0495