Rocky Duwani launches year’s first free concert in Fallon

International music star and humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni will play at Oats Park’s Centennial Stage on June 15 beginning at 7:30 p.m. This free performance arranged by the Churchill Arts Council is presented in cooperation with the mayor, city council and city of Fallon.

Also at the June concert, the Churchill Economic Development Authority is having its fourth annual “Please Don’t Make Me Attend Another Event” raffle. 3C’s Catering/The Running Iron Café and Twisted Branch will be on hand for food and drinks. The fun starts at 5 p.m. and continues through the Concert in the Park.

All gold tickets guarantee a ticket for a meal at the concert, and the first 50 silver/bronze tickets will also receive one meal ticket for each raffle ticket purchased. Beverage vendors will also be on site.

Tickets are available for purchase at the CEDA office and the June CEDA Business Council Breakfast Meeting or Business Council members.

Get your tickets now from Lisa Gonzales in the CEDA office. You may also contact her at lisag@cedaattracts.com or 775-423-8587 for information.

Dawuni’s life began as the child of a cook on a military barracks in Ghana. His father’s innate intelligence and charm helped him quickly rise in his position to become the cook for the base’s colonels and generals. During this time, his father befriended many high-ranking officers and observed the deep pride they felt in sending their children to school. The multi-ethnic mix of Ghanaian tribes in the barracks also revealed to Dawuni the diversity of expressions found in his own country.

Dawuni formed his first band, Local Crisis, with a group of friends. Despite the lack of instruments and professional recording equipment, their music gained immediate success on their university campus.

In 1996 he produced his first album, The Movement, backed by members of Local Crisis and other Ghanaian reggae stars. The Movement became a major success in Ghana with a number of hit singles including “What Goes Around” and “Sugar.” But Dawuni continued to believe that his music could serve as a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world. His first international exposure came through the 1998 Putumayo collection Reggae Around the World, which featured his song “In Ghana,” alongside tracks by Lucky Dube, Burning Spear, Ernest Ranglin and others. In 2010, Dawuni contributed a cover of Bob Marley’s “Sun Is Shining” to the Putumayo album Tribute to a Reggae Legend.

In 1998, Dawuni released his second album Crusade, followed by Awakening in 2001, Book of Changes in 2005 and Hymns for the Rebel Soul in 2010. Each album brought him greater acclaim and wider recognition both in Ghana and abroad. Today, Dawuni is a household name in his native land, and widely considered one of Africa’s most recognized international stars.

Dawuni’s music has been featured in numerous television programs, including ER, Weeds and Dexter. In 2010, Dawuni’s song “African Soccer Fever” was included on the FIFA World Cup South Africa video game from EA Sports, one of many times Dawuni’s songs have been included in EA video games. Dawuni’s cover of John Lennon’s “Well Well Well” appeared on the digital bonus version of the Amnesty International benefit album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, which was released by Warner Brothers in 2007 and featured appearances by U2, R.E.M., Aerosmith featuring Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Black Eyed Peas and others. Dawuni has also participated in the 2009 Playing for Change album, singing along with Bono on “War/No More Trouble” and Keb Mo’ on “Biko.”

In 2003, Dawuni teamed up with Sullivan and KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole to create Afro Funke’, a regular musical event in Los Angeles dedicated to African music, culture and art and it’s far-reaching legacy around the world. Afro Funke’ presents international guest DJs, live performances, guest musicians, dancers, cutting-edge films, record release parties, fundraisers, fashion shows, art installations, crafts and more. It has built a dedicated following, attracting celebrities such as Prince, India.Arie, Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder.