Janis Ian to Headline Fund-Raising Concert at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ — Singer, songwriter Janis Ian will headline a fund-raising concert at SUNY New Paltz on Friday, September 24. The evening program, titled “Remembering Hick,” recognizes the mostly forgotten achievements of former Hyde Park resident and first female AP reporter, Lorena “Hick” Hickok.

Chronicler of Depression-era America and long time friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, Hick died in Hyde Park in 1968. Her ashes, unclaimed for more than 20 years, were eventually scattered, along with those of others, over unmarked graves in the Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck NY.

Monies raised will put a bench and memorial in the corner of the Rhinebeck Cemetery where her ashes were scattered. The remaining funds will begin a public interest scholarship fund in her name for students of women studies at SUNY New Paltz, Vassar and Marist Colleges.

Introducing the evening’s program and telling some stories about Hickok will be Blanche Wiesen Cook, distinguished professor of history and women’s studies at John Jay College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Cook is the author of the highly acclaimed biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt: Vol I, published in 1992, was on the New York Times bestseller list for three months. Eleanor Roosevelt: Vol II (Viking Penguin), published in July 1999, is expected to be equally popular. Cook will also be available to sign her books.

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter Lauren Wood will open the vocal portion of the concert. Wood, who has recorded a total of five albums (four for Warner Brothers) is probably best known for her 1979 single, “Please Don’t Leave” (with Michael McDonald) and for “Fallen,” which sold 15 million copies on the “Pretty Woman” soundtrack. Wood’s songs have been recorded by such diverse artists as Cher, Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, Sammy Hagger, Montrose, and Larry Corryell. Her credits also include film, television and commercial song credits as well as album production. Additionally, she is the creator and co-owner of “Cat Tricks,” makers of greeting cards, calendars and posters.

Janis Ian

Janis Ian burst onto the popular music scene when she was only 15 with a controversial hit record, “Society’s Child.” Though her career peaked early, Ian has continued to write and perform over the years. She has the singular distinction of being nominated for Grammy awards in the 60s, 70s (“At Seventeen”), 80s and 90s.

Hunger is Ian’s latest release and her first album for Windham Hill Records. She has just finished recording another album, featuring a duet with Willie Nelson, which will be released this fall.

Ian was among the more popular singer-songwriters of the 1970s, with the hit albums Stars, Between the Lines and Aftertones. Roberta Flack created a big hit with Ian’s “Jesse.” Her 1978 recording of “Silly Habits” (Janis Ian II ) with Mel Torme earned her a Best Jazz Duet Grammy nomination.

Following nearly 10 years of retirement during the 80s, Ian recorded Breaking Silence, in 1992, which earned another Grammy nomination, for Best Contemporary Folk Album. She followed that up, in 1995, with the album, Revenge.

Blanche Wiesen Cook

Blanche Wiesen Cook is a frequent contributor of reviews and columns to many newspapers and periodicals. She has edited and contributed to several anthologies, and her book, The Declassified Eisenhower, was listed by The New York Times Book Review as one of the notable books of 1981. She also produces and hosts her own program for Radio Pacifica, “Women and the World in the 1990s.” Cook frequently appears on television, on programs such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and C- SPAN’s Booknotes. She earned her doctorate at Johns Hopkins University.

The 8 p.m. concert will be held in Julien Studley Theatre located in the Old Main Building on the SUNY campus. The event is being sponsored by the women’s studies departments at SUNY New Paltz, Marist and Vassar Colleges, and Great Dames Productions, of Kingston, with help from WDST and WKZE Radio. Ticket prices are $15, $25 and $35. The latter price includes a post-concert reception in which Cook will be the guest of honor. Ian will also attend the reception.

For tickets and info call 331-8128 or contact the Women’s Studies Dept. at SUNY, 257-2975.