It all started with Don Farrell paying tribute to the songs of Frank Sinatra in April 2021.
That success had him follow up with Barry Manilow in 2022 and tributes to Tony Bennett and Neil Diamond in 2023.
Farrell, a co-founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana who left the company in 2023, will celebrate Jimmy Buffett with “Bubbles Up!” performances at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael June 21 and July 18 with Terry Woods, Steve Greenberg and Jim Lamson. A third “Bubbles Up!” is set for Aug. 17 with the lineup not yet set.
“We’re just going to tell the stories and celebrate Jimmy Buffett, who we lost last year,” Farrell said. “I love Jimmy Buffett. As I started delving more into his life, I looked at his journey and what he took to become this kind of a latter-day folk hero. And all the entrepreneurial businesses he started after the big hit, ‘Margaritaville’ and the stories that go behind it. We’re going to try to conjure up that world of sun, saltwater and nonstop parties.”
Farrell, who runs Crossroads Entertainment LLC, said the setlist will include escapist songs, such as “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Farrell said they will share the stories on how Buffett came up with his songs. Farrell describes it as a “docu-cabaret.”
“It’s all the great songs you expect,” he said. “We try to create whatever world and environment in Feinstein’s for the artists we’re celebrating. Sometimes, even aficionados walk away saying, ‘I didn’t know that.’”
The shows are launched at Feinstein’s and then occasionally Farrell and Woods take the show on the road to other sites and Georgia, where Farrell grew up.
On the third Thursday of each month, Feinstein’s has a “Don Farrell Presents” show.
“It can be bands I’m presenting or our new shows,” Farrell said.
It started in April with the music of “Grease.”
“I had four other performers join me on stage and tell the backstory about the musical ‘Grease,’” Farrell said. “We created an environment where people were showing up in poodle skirts and leather jackets. We had a dance contest. It was a big party.”
In May, Farrell had the area band Ten Branches perform a concert. “A Thank You for the Music, a tribute to ABBA,” is set for June 20. Logan Hill, Maya Mays, Danny Kingston and Antony Winfrey will join Farrell.
Farrell will perform his Neil Diamond show July 20 with “Sweet Caroline: The Life & Music of Neil Diamond.”
Farrell will present “Simply the Best — A Celebration of Tina Turner,” Aug. 22 with Tiffany Gilliam performing Turner’s songs.
“I’m trying to find other artists who deserve a shot at the Feinstein’s stage,” Farrell said.
Farrell also will present Summer Music with Woods Band July 29 at Sugar Creek Winery in Carmel.
For more, visit feinsteinshc.com and crossroads-ent.com/team.html.
