Show paying tribute to Roy Orbison is coming to Albert Lea

 

One music lover who has been performing for over four decades will bring his show to Albert Lea.

David Keiski, known professionally as David K, will perform a Roy Orbison tribute show at 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea. In addition to the Orbison numbers, the show will also feature Mitchell Hall paying tribute to Johnny Cash.

“I love how dramatic Roy was, writing from ’50s bee bop, to almost opera-style love songs and rock ‘n’ roll,” Keiski said in an email. “It’s so rewarding to see people become emotional as these songs are presented. They bring back such memories for our attendees.”

Keiski, 59, said he has been performing professionally since he was 17. He can play piano, guitar and bass in addition to singing, and said he has been performing Orbison tributes for about a year now, after a friend suggested it to him due to his vocal range.

“I love to sing my heart out, use every ounce of what I have in me,” Keiski said. “Roy allows me to passionately perform, and the list of his decades of music are so varied and creative; it’s awesome to have the opportunity to revere such a true legend.”

He credited his fellow musicians backing him up in the tribute show as making the event even better.

Keiski grew up in Minnesota as the son of a Methodist minister who preached at Owatanna United Methodist Church for about 10 years. He said his father’s friends preached in southern Minnesota, so Keiski said they would visit their families.

“These southern Minnesota roads between churches bring me lots of touching memories,” he said.

In addition to being able to work within the same vocal range, Keiski said he was drawn to Orbison because of all the stories that have come out of the music legend’s life.

“Roy was resilient, and when his career had a resurgence with Traveling Wilburys and more, he was truly happy,” Keiski said. “He’d said his deep faith, his true friends and his work, his music got him through the tough times. That’s a sweet legacy to share.”

 

Tickets, please

What: David K performing a tribute to Roy Orbison

When: 7:30 p.m. March 7

Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway in downtown Albert Lea

How much: tickets are $20 and can be purchased at actonbroadway.com, 1-877-730-3144 or at the box office