MikelParis kicks off 2016 Music Series at the Ross Farm

Music returns to the Ross Farm this weekend when the Friends of the Boudinot Southard Ross Estate welcomes MikelParis as he brings his solo performance to the historic estate on Sunday afternoon, April 3.

Paris tours with O.A.R. (Of a Revolution) playing keys, percussion and singing backing vocals. He has turned the experience of touring with the chart-topping band into the opportunity to look a little closer at some of the interesting sites in cities where he may have some extra time in between shows, creating his “TuneTrek” series. This spring, “HouseTrek” has evolved from that and Paris is combining a TuneTrek with a house concert. With its beautiful 60-plus acres of land, Colonial Revival home, 19th century bank barn and carriage house, the Ross Farm provides the perfect location to combine a TuneTrek and concert.

Paris has described TuneTrek as a travel and music show where he finds interesting historic landmarks or scenic vistas and tells the story of each site through pictures, video and music. “I’ve got a guitar on my back and camera bag on my front,” Paris has said, continuing, “The idea came out of my love of traveling, exploring, nature, architecture, and of course music. I love that feeling of discovering a place for the first time.” Each 5- to 7-minute episode gives a little history and shows the journey of his discovery of the site. A good acoustic and visual spot provides a space to perform some songs. Paris will tour the Ross Farm on Saturday, April 2, and then return Sunday, April 3 for the concert, which is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased via PayPal at www.RossFarm.org/event/mikelparis/. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and Paris will have some of his merchandise available for purchase after the show. Email NolaJH@msn.com with any questions about this event.

In addition to his long-time association with O.A.R., Paris has worked with Pink, Stomp, Jewel, Train, Blues Traveller, Michael Tolcher, Simplified and the Dan Band. He infuses his vocal, piano and guitar-drumming skills into a soulful, organic, groove-oriented sound.

The Ross Farm is owned by the Somerset County Parks Commission. It is supported by the Friends of the Boudinot Southard Ross Estate, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with the mission of creating educational and cultural events that enhance the public’s understanding of the historical legacy of the estate and the contributions of the Elias Boudinot, Samuel Southard and Edmund Ross families.