Bishop captures the limelight
Join Newport-based singer and songwriter Rand Bishop this weekend for a world-debut show described as a “journey through the dynamics of human life.”
Enjoy a lively range of original songs and monologues culled from Rand’s life and his 50 years in the music business. Performances will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, in the David Ogden Stiers Theatre at the Newport Performing Arts Center
The creative inspiration for the show started with the venue itself.
“First of all, I’m in love with the Stiers Theatre — it’s so great,” Bishop said. “But also, I’m a big project person. I always have to have a big goal to shoot for to motivate me. And I felt the need to express something. I have so many songs that really have never been heard! You labor over your creative work and if you don’t tour, those songs might languish.”
Growing up in the Portland suburbs, Bishop was torn between two highly improbable career paths: classical stage actor or rock star. After a season playing bit parts at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he chose the rock route and enjoyed a 45-year music-business career as a major-label recording artist, touring musician, hit songwriter, platinum record producer, talent development executive and music publisher. He garnered a Grammy nomination, several BMI awards and more than 300 songwriting credits with artists as diverse as the Beach Boys, Tim McGraw, and Heart.
Toby Keith’s release of “My List,” written by Tim James and Bishop, spent five weeks at number one, becoming 2002’s most-played single on country radio. The song’s lyrics provided the basis for the first of five tomes Bishop has authored thus far. Bishop’s “Makin’ Stuff Up” column was featured in American Songwriter Magazine for seven years. In 2017, he walked from Southern California to the Central Oregon Coast, a 90-day, 900-mile adventure recounted in the memoir, “TREK: My Peace Pilgrimage in Search of a Kinder America.”
The shows begin at 7:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 19, and 2 pm on Sunday, Nov. 20. Tickets are $10 to 25. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.