The Wreckers to Perform Sept. 28 in Center for the Arts

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present The Wreckers at 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus. Tickets for their performance go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11.

The Wreckers are first duo since Brooks & Dunn to break into the Top 5 with their debut release. "Leave The Pieces" has been outpacing all other current singles from debut artists since it first hit the airwaves in April. On their Maverick debut, "Stand Still Look Pretty," The Wreckers offer music that must be heard, with a story behind it that must be told.

First, the music: This is modern country at its best, sung with soul in heartfelt harmonies over a rhythm bed that alternately scoots, sways and slams. From the first single, the assertive and exuberant "Leave The Pieces" to the down-home hoot "Crazy People," "Stand Still Look Pretty" hits the highest standards of both country and pop, with more than a little rock and roll tossed in for that extra bite.

Then, the story: It's about, first of all, friendship, between two gifted performers who met when both were struggling for a foothold in the music business. Michelle Branch seized the moment in 2001 with her first solo release, "The Spirit Room." Still in her teens, she was swept onto major tours, recruited by legendary guitarist Carlos Santana for a Grammy-winning duet, and the when "Hotel Paper" shot to number two on Billboard's Hot 200 it confirmed Michelle's staying power as an artist.

Branch invited friend Jessica Harp to join her on the road, writing and singing music along the way. As Branch's star rose, Harp divided her time between sharing in the adventure and pursuing her own career. She was offered a contract in Nashville, one that would allow her to do her own music the way she wanted to. Harp was elated, so in June 2004 she packed everything she owned into her car, and took off for Tennessee to sign the dotted line.

Right after her second record, Branch called Harp and said, "This is our last shot before we wind up on different labels. If we're ever going to make this happen, this is our chance. Are you going with me?" That's all it took to persuade Harp to show up at Branch's doorstep in L.A. Over the next few days they added to the body of songs they'd already written together on the road. Before you knew it, they had more than enough material for their first duo album -- and, not only that, present it to the world as a totally new sound, a synthesis of their two styles. The result is an album that's rich sonic tapestries, edgy yet rootsy, which emphasizes the common strengths and complementary differences in Branch's and Harp's music.

Since the release of "Stand Still, Look Pretty," the duo has been the opening show for music's top-selling artist of the year, Rascal Flatts, as part of their Me & My Gang Tour. This fall they have shows with Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Montgomery Gentry. They have also garnered a great deal of media attention with appearances on, "Late Show with David Letterman", "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," "The View," CBS's "The Early Show", the "2006 CMT Music Awards" and the "41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards."

Tickets for The Wreckers are $20, students $15. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. The Center for the Arts is a Ticketfast location. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the Center Box Office to receive discount.