EIU Media Relations

Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics Kick Off EIU's Doudna Season

The Doudna Fine Arts Center will kick off its 2013-2014 season with Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22.

What some people might call retro-soul or dynamic R&B, Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics’ roots are embedded in the rich sound and history of Georgia soul.  The group’s Charleston performance will take place on the center’s Theatre stage.

Based out of Atlanta, Ga., the group has performed countless gigs since forming in 2005.  With a slew of 45rpm singles already under their belts, Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics have contributed heavily to increasing the awareness of genuine rhythm and blues music that exists today.  Their album, “It’s About Time,” has made waves around the globe since its September 2012 release.  Billboard ranked the album in the top 30 on the Heatseeker charts, a chart devoted to emerging artists.

The lead off single, “My Dear,” was a featured iTunes’ “Single of the Week” resulting in more than 200,000 downloads and 1,200 full album download sales, landing the album at number 4 on the iTunes R&B charts.  The single, “Heartlite,” was featured as the Starbucks “Pick of the Week,” which garnered more than 250,000 downloads and a presence in all Starbucks location wi-fi pages nationwide.

“With their unique brand of soul, we’re really looking forward to Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics performing at the Doudna,” said Dan Crews of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.  He added that the group tours continuously and performs to packed clubs and at various music festivals across the United States.  “The Theatre will be a great venue to see this group perform,” Crews said.

Tickets for the Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics concert are $15 for the general public, $12 for seniors (62+), and $7 for students.  Tickets for the concert are available online and at the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office.  Beginning the week of Aug. 22, Box Office hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, and one hour prior to the scheduled performance.

For Doudna reservations and information, or to arrange accommodations for those needing special assistance, contact Doudna Fine Art Patron Services at 217-581-3110 or doudnatix@eiu.edu. 

Submitted by Dan Crews, Director of Patron Services, Doudna Fine Arts Center