FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact: Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Kick Off 2026 with Sensational Music Acts Coming to The Bankhead This January
Livermore, CA – (December 5, 2025) – Livermore Valley Arts is excited to welcome in the new year with some thrilling performances from the world of music for Tri-Valley audiences this January. With his signature two-handed technique and percussive guitar mastery, Andy McKee will bring the party at The Stage Door Lounge on Friday, January 2, while Jason Petty, back by popular demand, will bring the timeless music of Hank Williams to life in 100 Years of Hank Williams on Sunday, January 4, capped off by a unique, special night of nostalgia at STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads Live Event Hosted by Jerry Harrison, thrilling the Tri-Valley on Friday, January 9. All of these unforgettable events will be at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore.
Andy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, and it is evident from the accolades he’s received throughout his career. It’s his youthful energy, attention to song structure, and melodic content that elevates him above the rest. After nearly a decade without releasing new studio recordings, McKee returns with his recent six-track EP, Symbol, out on Mythmaker Records in conjunction with Cruzen Street Records. “These are my interpretations of tunes that really inspired me,” says McKee. “I wanted to give listeners a chance to hear what I hear when I listen to this music. I also wanted to branch out a bit and include music that isn’t originally for acoustic guitar.” While Symbol is a collection of inspired renditions, they are important song choices; artists that deeply influence McKee and songs that connect to his musical past. He pulls from the catalogues of greats like Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Billy McLaughlin, and Prince. There’s “Ragamuffin,” the EP’s lead single, which is a nod to one of McKee’s biggest influences, Michael Hedges. McKee notes that “Michael was not only a revolutionary guitarist on the technical side, but his ability to compose for solo guitar was also genius. Most importantly, though, he was able to search inside of himself and consistently pull up very human and evocative themes that made him a true artist. I’ll always be grateful for his music.” One track that might catch fans by surprise on Symbol is McKee’s gorgeous rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” In 2012, McKee played alongside Prince in his band on the “Welcome 2 Australia” tour, with the song being one of the setlist highlights. “I had originally come up with the ‘Purple Rain’ arrangement to open the shows with while I was on tour with Prince in Australia,” recalls McKee. “I have played it occasionally since then while touring and figured I should finally get a recording of it down. One thing that I learned from Prince while we were on the road is that we both really admire Joni Mitchell. I used that as a reference when trying to describe my work. Although some of what I do on the guitar is technically demanding, I don’t ever really want that to overshadow the music.” McKee, like many, was infatuated with the Rocky IV soundtrack, specifically the Vince DiCola compositions “War” and “Training Montage.” For Symbol, McKee and DiCola joined forces to craft “Rocky IV Medley.” “Those tunes awakened my mind to the possibility of being moved by music with no words,” said McKee. “To be able to recreate those tunes with the electric guitar and play with Vince is really something I could never have dreamed of.” Andy McKee entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel-string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits, and a signature two-handed technique. McKee’s crossover success has helped him achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. His song “Drifting” became one of the first viral YouTube videos, garnering almost 60 million views. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK. He also curates his own annual guitar retreat called Musicarium. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, including tours with legendary acts such as Dream Theater and Tommy Emmanuel. Loaded with texture, harmony, percussion, and melody, audiences do not want to miss this unforgettable night of breathtaking musicianship and genre-defying sound at The Stage Door Lounge, on the Bankhead Stage, on January 2.
Jason Petty’s Obie Award-winning performance brings the timeless music of Hank Williams to life in 100 Years of Hank Williams, celebrating Williams’ 100th birthday with his critically acclaimed tribute, “Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes.” Williams penned over 400 country songs depicting the trials and tribulations of the common man and woman. Among his timeless classics are “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Jambalaya,” and “I Saw The Light.” Williams is credited with creating the style that influenced other artists, such as Patsy Cline, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Elvis Presley. He is considered the single most influential person in country music history and is enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jason Petty gained national notoriety when he portrayed Hank Williams in the biographical/musical about Williams’ life titled Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Petty first portrayed the country legend on the world-famous Ryman Auditorium stage in Nashville, TN, for a 2-year run of the Williams’ production. After 2 national tours, he landed in New York City, where he won the Obie Award for Best Actor in the show’s Off-Broadway production. Since 2001, Jason has traveled the continent with his own production called Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes. Over the years, Jason had the chance to meet and become friends with those who knew and played with Williams. They shared their stories of what Hank and his music meant to them and to the history of country music. Jason has translated those stories into a beautiful mosaic of live music and storytelling, taking the audience down history’s memory lane while expertly weaving Williams’ story of triumph and tragedy. For Williams’ 100th birthday celebration, Jason brings Williams’ legend and music to life with authentic set pieces and period costumes. However, it is Jason’s easy and insightful storytelling that keeps bringing audiences back time after time. This high-energy tribute had Bankhead audiences on their feet when he was here in 2022, and will do so again when this show triumphantly returns on January 4. There is no better time to introduce…or re-introduce yourself to Hank Williams…and to Jason Petty. From Hank’s first guitar to his lasting impact on American music, this unforgettable show has fans clapping, stomping, and coming back for more.
Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time. Starring band members David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth (along with their incredible touring musicians), the live performance was shot at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater and features Talking Heads’ most memorable songs. This Live Event, hosted by Jerry Harrison, will feature a public screening of the re-release, with Jerry Harrison delivering introductory remarks, post-screening comments, and an exciting audience Q&A. Music lovers and film enthusiasts alike will not want to miss this special evening on January 9.
Tickets for shows in the 2025—2026 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For a complete list of events, visit LivermoreArts.org.
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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies, over 40 studio artists, and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Show: Andy McKee at The Stage Door Lounge
Date/Time: Friday, January 2, 2026, at 8:00pm Selling Fast
Tickets: $40 General Seating, $50 Table Seating
Show: 100 Years of Hank Williams
Date/Time: Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 3:00pm
Tickets: $25—$65 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads Live Event Hosted by Jerry Harrison
Date/Time: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 8:00pm Selling Fast
Tickets: $25—$85 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20% Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
