PRESS RELEASE

DATE: APRIL, 2011                                                                                                                                   SUBJECT: Tyrone Cotton, Frank Messina, Ron Whitehead performing in Florida

The Southern Discomfort Tour:

featuring

TYRONE COTTON

FRANK MESSINA

RON WHITEHEAD

w/ special guest Col. Anthony Broy

Legendary Kentucky poet Ron Whitehead once again teams up with New York spoken word artist Frank Messina and blues great Tyrone Cotton for a stretch of performances deep in the Sunshine State.

Ron Whitehead is one of the most famous poets in the world. He is the author of twenty-one books including Beaver Dam Rocking Chair Marathon and Western Kentucky: Lost & Forgotten, Found & Remembered and thirty-one CD titles including the iconic "Tapping My Own Phone" and "I Will Not Bow Down."

Crowned "a classic" by the New York Times, Frank Messina is the author of Disorderly Conduct, and Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry. He's performed his signature spoken word and music shows in over a dozen countries and all across America.

Tyrone Cotton is steeped in the blues, mixing folk, gospel, jazz, and pop to make American music which has been compared to Tom Waits, Dylan, Ray LaMontagne, and Johnny Cash. He has shared the stage with the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama, Johnny Winter, Jolie Holland, and Grammy nominated artist James Hunter.

The three artists hit the road together in 2006 for their Wanderer Tour to packed venues and rave reviews. The Southern Discomfort Tour in sunny Florida will be joined by special guest poets and musicians including former Wall Street maverick and poet Anthony Broy with dates in Orlando, Gainesville and Cape Coral.

Tyrone Cotton (photo: Nelson Onofre, American Blues News)

Frank Messina (photo: Jeremy Hogan)

Ron Whitehead (photo: Brook Hollis, Lucent Photography)

May 1, Timucua White House, Orlando, Fl. Frank Messina, legendary Kentucky poet Ron Whitehead and blues great Tyrone Cotton and special musical guests. 7:30PM. 2000 S. Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL, 407-595-2713. Don't Miss this special Show! Limited Seating & Standing Room. Show will sell out. Early Arrival suggested.

May 3, DiVerse Word at Dandelion, Frank Messina, legendary Kentucky poet Ron Whitehead and blues great Tyrone Cotton and special musical guests. 8:00PM. Dandelion CommuniTea Cafe. 618 Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL.

May 4, WPRK 91.5 Radio, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL. Frank Messina, blues great Tyrone Cotton, Kentucky legend Ron Whitehead, and former NASD Supervisor and Wall Street maverick Col. Anthony Broy discuss why art matters in a world of greed, bad politics and revolution. Hosted by Julie Norris, Front Porch Radio, Rollins College Campus. 4:00PM.

May 5, Civic Media Center, Gainesville, FL. Tyrone Cotton, Frank Messina, Ron Whitehead. Civic Media Center, 9:00PM. 433 S. Main St, Gainesville, FL, 32601, 352-373-0010. Don't Miss this special Show! Limited Seating & Standing Room. Early Arrival suggested.

May 6, Bellamy Road Fine Arts, Melrose, FL. The David T. Warner Foundation hosts a "Friday at Sundown" show. Bellamy Road, 5910 Hampton Street, Melrose, Florida 32666. Show begins at sundown. Four paintings by Frank Messina will be exhibited in the main gallery. A reception will follow.

MAY 7, University of Hangoutology Cape Coral, FL. Col. Anthony Broy hosts the salon: "A Night of Art & Revolution" featuring Tyrone Cotton, Frank Messina, Ron Whitehead, and guests. Limited to 50 attendees.