River and Rail's Performing Arts Label: Summer Experience

A Summer Experience with River & Rail Theatre Company's Performing Arts Label, featuring performances from Tinca Tinca, Shawn Turner & Pinky Ring, Chameleous, Rhea Carmon, and Kijon.

River and Rail’s Performing Arts Label is designed to highlight some of Knoxville’s best and brightest independent performing artists. Through the Label, R&R provides marketing and promotional support, business services and a performance venue they can call their home. The relationship with our artists is designed to provide them space at the Old City Performing Arts Center for rehearsals and at least three performances per year. R&R handles the heavy lifting on the business side, allowing artists to do what they do best…….create beautiful art. We fully support our artists in chasing their dreams and cultivating the lives they desire. We believe artists should be fairly and equitably compensated for their work, and respected as leaders in our community. Our goal is to strategically invest in our artists and help them reach the next step in their respective journeys.

River and Rail’s Performing Arts Label is excited to announce our inaugural Summer Experience. This one day performing arts festival will feature all five artists on our Label. Performances will include original pieces, as well as some of their previously released works. Our artists are excited to bring this unique experience to Knoxville and showcase their talents. From Indie Rock, to jazz, to hip hop, we have something for a variety of performing arts enthusiasts.

TINCA TINCA

Tinca Tinca is a melodic, lyrical, retro-futuristic indie rock band based in Knoxville, TN. Since starting in 2021, they have been featured on WDVX, WUTK, Real Knoxville Music, and have performed at an array of venues and festivals including the Tennessee Theatre, the historic Bijou Theatre, and live on WATE Channel 6 ABC. In the summer of 2023, Tinca Tinca began a delightful partnership with the Old City Performing Arts Center as an artist on the roster of their newly-formed performing arts label. Learn more at TincaTincaMusic.com(opens in a new tab)

(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)SHAWN P. TURNER & PINKY RING

Shawn P. Turner, was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Shawn's first exposure to music was through auxiliary percussion in Concert and Marching Bands throughout elementary and high school. Having grown up in the tradition of the African American church, he was initially self-taught as a pianist and was heavily influenced by the soulful rhythm and blues sounds of Memphis. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville under the prestigious tutelage of Mr. Donald Brown. It was also at UT where he marched in the "Pride of the Southland Marching Band" and participated in UT Choirs. He holds a teaching certificate from Maryville College and taught Middle and High School Chorus in the inner-city before pursuing performing full-time. He proudly serves as Choir Director at Sevier Heights Baptist Knoxville. He regularly performs in several local bands and organizations such as; Knoxville Allstars, Soul Connection, Pinky Ring the trio, and the Knoxville Opera. Shawn enjoys stogies, hanging out with friends and family, and traveling during free time. Music is my mistress, she plays second fiddle to no one"- Duke Ellington

CHAMELEOUS

Chameleous is a new 6-piece original alternative rock band from Knoxville, TN. Their music is a kaleidoscope of color -- driving and hard edged, grooving, contemplative, electric and laced with roots music. Whatever the band is playing, the music sounds distinctly like Chameleous. By the end of the show, the audience will have experienced the variety of musical styles and moods that gives the band its name.

RHEA CARMON, 5th WOMAN

Award-winning wordsmith Rhea Carmon is a force that weaves passion, purpose, and power into poetry. She is a teacher, mentor, motivational poet, and inspiration to all that come in contact with her. Rhea's life lessons and stories create space for conversation and understanding.

For more than twenty years, Rhea "RheaSunshine" Carmon has traveled the nation, sharing her gift of the spoken word and facilitating self-expression, liberation, and healing. This art form has led her to touch lives at universities and educational institutions as well as civic engagements and festivals. Rhea served the City of Knoxville as Poet Laureate from 2020-2023 and continues to serve the community through workshops, speaking engagements, Beyond the Spark the Podcast and her Poet-in-Residence program. She believes in the power of the word and constantly seeks to inspire everyone to be a P.O.E.T., Person Operating in Exceptional Truth.

KIJON

Former recipient of TN Music Awards “Hip Hop Artist of the Year”, Kijon has been successfully navigating his career as an independent music artist. Born and raised in Knoxville TN, Kijon expressed his talents as early as the age of three and has grown to leave his print in his hometown and surrounding areas. Kijon released his first project in 2018 and has since released over 100 songs consisting of a combination of progressive Hip Hop and R&B vibes. His music contains flirtatious blends of his bluesy side and melodic vocals that are coupled with his lyrical side where he expresses his political views and his bold confidence; all made for classic Hip Hop. The multi-talented artist writes, produces, engineers, sings and raps, making him a true independent artist worthy of recognition. Fans have enjoyed the journey of Kijon’s musical growth over the years as each project he releases gives increasing reasons for why he has what it takes to have a massive presence in the music industry. His music and videos that can be found on streaming platforms leave us confident that Kijon has longevity in music and that the possibilities are endless for someone with his level of creativity. Follow Kijon on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @OfficialKijon to keep up with what he has coming next.

Thank you to our Sponsors for the Performing Arts Label: Summer Experience

• Home Trust Bank
• InsureFit
• SouthEast Bank
• BioPet Labratories