Smothers Brothers Return To Minnesota Orchestra

The irrepressible Smothers Brothers, Tom and Dick, bring their special brand of humor and musical accomplishment to Orchestra Hall for one concert only set for Friday, April 6, at 8 p.m. Audiences will hear the Smothers Brothers sing, perform on guitar and bass and re-create their signature comedic routines, transporting everyone into a "State of Yo" with a visit from the Yo-Yo Man (Tom), offering his daring string-spinning feats accompanied by the Voice of Yo's (Dick) narration.

With their singular blend of comedic and musical talents, the Brothers have made a sweeping impact on diverse generations of fans. Over four decades of audiences have seen the Smothers Brothers in their own primetime comedy series, through guest appearances on numerous television programs, as headliners in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, in a top-selling video and twelve chart-topping albums, as well as in numerous coast-to-coast concert tours.

The Smothers Brothers made their first professional appearance at San Francisco's Purple Onion in 1959, and their first national television appearance in 1961 on "The Jack Paar Show." Their own variety show, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," premiered on CBS in February 1967 and was an immediate hit. The Brothers' contract gave them creative control, but they were constantly running afoul of CBS censors with satirical and humorous sketches about politics, the Vietnam war, and the Nixon administration. Even Beatle George Harrison made a guest appearance on the show, advising the Brothers, "Whether you can say it or not, keep TRYING to say it." That insistence got them fired by CBS.

The millennium has brought new honors for the legendary duo, including a reunion of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour at the USA Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, an invitation to become Artist Members of the Board of Directors of the Wolf Trap Foundation, and Honorary Doctorate Degrees from their alma mater, San Jose State University.

On the personal side, both Tom and Dick pursue their interests with the same fervor as their work. Dick follows a rigorous daily workout regimen and is a gourmet cook, while Tom's passion is golf. Ever inventive, he has added a routine to his golf game with his favorite toy, the yo-yo. Tom also enjoys tending to his vineyard and his award-winning winery, Remick Ridge. The duo's CD, It Must Have Been Something I Said, is now available on CD. For more information, visit www.smothersbrothers.com.

Pat Donohue, opening act for the Smothers Brothers, is one of the world's most acclaimed finger pickers. The Grammy- winning acoustic guitarist has performed extensively on Minnesota Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion, along with playing over 30 concerts a year nationwide. Even though he considers himself foremost a folk guitarist, Donohue says his eclectic musical tastes are rooted in the music of bluesmen such as Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters and Miles Davis. Six of Donohue's eight recordings are on Minnesota's Bluesky record label. His most recent is Profile, a collection of original and traditional tunes ranging from folk to blues. For more information, visit www.patdonohue.com. -- www.minnesotaorchestra.org