The 5-hour extravaganza started with a memorial service — with some of the same features you might expect: a couple collage boards of old photos; elaborate florals (created by Bryan’s sister-in-law, Jan Knox); a poignant eulogy (by Bryan’s brother, Karl Carrier); and prayers with a spiritual message (from collage friend Deacon Tom Hayward). Then lots of family and friends got up to talk about Bryan’s quick wit and deep affection for everyone around him.

A group of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performed a wonderful acapella version of “How Great Thou Art.” (The missionaries are heavily involved with the maintenance and renovation of the theatre and have worked with Bryan on a weekly basis for years.)

There was also a stunning solo of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” performed by Brad Ford, lead singer of Fortunate Son – the top tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival.

A catered lunch was provided by Downtown Deli and Coffee Company, Harvard Street Bakery, and Too Haute to Handle.

But then the Celebration turned into a party. Five tribute bands were on hand to play tribute to Bryan, including “Taylor Made Tapestry” (tribute to James Taylor and Carole King)., Pure Bread (tribute to Bread), Deja Vu (tribute to Crosby Stills, Nash & Young), The Long Run (tribute to the Eagles), and Fortunate Son (tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival).

The bands played for over 3 hours, packing the dance floor with cheering fans. Meanwhile, the entire event was livestreamed over the internet. A recording will be available on YouTube this week. In addition, guests received a coupon for a Blu-ray containing excerpt from Bryan’s favorite shows.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Event tickets are available at the theatre Box Office (Monday thru Friday 11 am to 5pm) or online at www.PurplePass.com. Tickets are also available at the Downtown Deli, 113 N Harvard St and the Harvard Street Music Exchange, 134 S Harvard St.

Emily Rand • Contributed

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The show on July 10th will be the fifth time that Brad and the band have performed at HHT – and almost certain to be a sellout like the rest!

Anyone who has attended a Tribute Mania concert in the past knows how much fun the tribute performances can be. And, Fortunate Son it is one of the best. In fact, they were one of the first tribute bands to play at HHT and helped build the popularity of the Tribute Mania series.

The lead singer, Brad Ford, founded the band in 1994 and stars as John Fogerty on lead vocals. With his bandmates they travel around the world delighting audiences throughout the United According to their website (FortunateSonTribute.com), they are “the Nation’s “Longest Running” Tribute Show celebrating the music of John Fogerty & Creedence Clearwater Revival.” The Las Vegas Review has proclaimed “FORTUNATE SON is the ultimate CCR Tribute Show!” A critic in Laughlin, named them “the best tribute shows of its kind.” They perform at state and county fairs, casinos, festivals, community concerts, corporate events, and military veteran celebrations.

They play for lots of veteran events because the group has a heart for those who served. The band is a big supporter of the Rolling Thunder organization, an advocacy group educating the public about the accountability for prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA) service members of all United States wars.

Meanwhile, plans are coming together for the Celebration of Life for Operations Director Bryan Carrier. Members of Fortunate Son will perform along with band members from several groups who have requested to perform in tribute to Bryan. Information on free tickets to the memorial service and concert can be found on the website, Facebook page or by calling the Box Office.

The remaining shows in the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Season are Tribute to Elton John, featuring Kenny Metcalf (Jun 26), Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, featuring Brad Ford and Fortunate Son (Jul 10), Tribute to Abba, with Abba Fab (Jul 24), Tribute to Santana, with Smooth Sounds of Santana (Aug 7), Tribute to Tina Turner, featuring Debby Holiday (Aug 14), Tribute to Neil Diamond, with Hot August Night (Aug 21), Tribute to Led Zeppelin, with Led Zepagain (Sept 4), Tribute to Bob Seger, with Turn the Page (Sept 18), Tribute to Foreigner. featuring 4NR (Oct 2), Tribute to The Beatles, with Hard Day’s Night (Oct 16), and Tribute to Fleetwood Mac with Mirage (Oct 23).

Tickets for Tribute Mania are $25, general admission. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Event tickets are available at the theatre Box Office (Monday thru Friday 11 am to 5pm) or online at www.PurplePass.com. Tickets are also available at the Downtown Deli, 113 N Harvard St and the Harvard Street Music Exchange, 134 S Harvard St.

Emily Rand • Contributor

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post FORTUNATE SON RETURNS (TWICE) TO HHT WITH TRIBUTE TO CCR appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Growing up in Southern California, Melendez made a name for himself in art. Working in Michigan for the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, he also painted murals in both professional stadiums. Then, across the country, painting murals for Bass Pro Shops, McDonald’s, and Budweiser. He found a home in Michigan; but helping family came first. Family brought him back to Hemet.

Hemet is not exactly known as an overly artistic community. However, Melendez continued solo projects in Michigan for major clients and around the country. With the goal of less isolation, he found his way into the Hemet Theater.

Like many of us, Melendez first walked into the theater and met Bryan Carrier. That was in February 2020. Melendez immediately realized a fast friendship with both Bryan and the theater. He could not imagine that one month later, as he began work on Marilyn Monroe in one of three large murals, the pandemic would shut down every theater in the country.

Melendez recounts his surprise and the work involved to bring the art deco themed lobby to life: “All of a sudden I found myself alone with my work, going up and down ladders, crawling along to finish everything.”

The three murals, the art deco designed theater logo, a life-sized wooden cut-out of Elvis, and the same gold border pattern in the lobby are all hand-painted by Melendez.

“Everything in the lobby is coordinated. I did a lot of the stuff laying on my stomach, on my hands and knees, and squatting like a catcher in a baseball game,” he explained.

Working with the Carriers for the HHT renovations allowed him to continue his art in what was supposed to be a lively theater community. The closure changed those plans. He received the architectural sketches of the theater produced by Steve Covington, which cemented the concept for one of the large murals.

As you walk into the theater a 12-foot-long mural of the Hemet Theater runs along the left side of lobby. This mural also contains a memorial to Bryan Carrier. As Melendez said, “it was necessary to keep Bryan in the theater in some way; I wouldn’t have even been there without him.”

Among other losses the theater suffered during the closure, this was the hardest of all. Melendez, remembering how it all began, told the story, “I had gone in to talk about showing my art and met Bryan [Carrier]. He let me hang up three of my portraits. He did say we needed to get approval from Susan. She approved them; and we talked about the murals.”

Now, with the finishing touches being completed, the opening is almost here. Melendez said of the opening, “After all the hardships the theater experienced during the closure, I’ll be happy to see the doors open, to see people taking pictures in front of Marilyn.”

Coming in June you can see this masterpiece of the golden age of Hollywood for yourself. Get your tickets in person at the Box Office or visit the website www.HistoricHemetTheater.com. To see more art by the artist, Dan Melendez, visit him at danmelendezart on Instagram.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling (951) 658-5950. Box Office hours, Monday thru Friday, 11am – 5pm.

Emily Rand • Historic Hemet Theater

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post MURALS OF MEMORIES AT HHT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Bryan was responsible for the theatre’s popular Tribute Mania Concert Series that has hosted over 100 top tribute bands and 30,000 patrons in the last 5 years. Most locals will remember Bryan as the face of the theatre, his friendly face and quick wit leaving a lasting impression with anyone visiting the Ticket Office.

In 2014, Bryan and his wife, Susan, lead the Foundation’s effort to purchase and renovate Hemet’s vintage movie house. The couple has coordinated a team of over 100 dedicated volunteers to create the successful community arts center in Hemet’s Historic Downtown District. Prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, the venue’s popular Tribute Mania Concert Series had hosted over 100 tribute bands and more than 30,000 patrons. During the quarantine, Bryan was coordinating the theatre’s ongoing renovations and planning shows for 2021, when the theatre will celebrate its 100th anniversary year.

Before his retirement, Bryan had spent 30 years as a Produce Manager and 5 years teaching Social Studies at Hemet’s Alessandro Continuation High School. Bryan’s obituary is available on the theatre’s website, Facebook page and the website of Miller-Jones Mortuary.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the theatre next year when quarantine restrictions have been lifted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Historic Hemet Theatre Building Fund. Notes of condolence and remembrance can be sent to the Historic Hemet Theatre, 216 E Florida Ave, Hemet 92544. A link for donations can be found on the theatre’s website, www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com.

Please read more about him, his obituary can be found on page A4 on this weeks edition.

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