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JBJ 2005 Overview

When Transition House, Inc., decided to develop a new format for their 2005 annual benefit June Bug Jam, the decision was made to find a headliner who would be a featured artist with marketability and a diverse range of talent.  Though several names where mentioned as the search began, one name that the agency’s Executive Director Bonnie Dunn kept bringing up to the June Bug Jam Committee was Summer Clifton.  Bonnie first heard about Summer a little over a year ago.   Her proud father from Minco, Oklahoma e-mailed Transition House, Inc., and suggested we visit her website and listen to her music.  Sadly for Transition House, Inc., though Summer had hoped to do the benefit in 2004, she received an invitation to open for LeAnn Rimes in Austin, Texas on the same day. 

As an agency that helps persons who are working on their recovery from mental illness, this small private non-profit tends to follow a very effective and unique path in their development.  While others receive funding from sources that tend to limit and restrict services, Transition House, Inc., finds it important to secure resources from places and people who allowed the agency to serve people in need rather than serve “the system.”  This agency, known for holding to its emphasis on people first, amazingly found a headline performer who believes that though it used to be about making it “big” – now she and her career are about people first.  Her goal is simple - Summer wants to bring good music to people who like it.

Summer is a classically trained vocalist who states that she is probably best known in Oklahoma and Texas for her country music.  Her dream, however, is to someday record a CD that has a some country – contemporary and classic, mixed with blues, jazz, classics, Broadway, and rock.  Summer says most recently she’s been “stuck in jazz – actually Latin beat jazz.”  When asked who her influences are, she named James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Sara Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and she said lately she’s been listening to Grand Funk Railroad.  From Patsy Cline to Bob Seger, Summer says she loves to perform a wide range of music because she wants to offer the audience a fun and diverse show. 

At 15 years old, Summer worked with Randy Scruggs to produced her first CD.  When asked why she thought she hadn’t “made it big yet” – her response was she wasn’t willing to sell her soul to the devil just to have a career in the music industry.  After recording her first CD and getting lots of attention, she realized that people wanted her to give up everything to “make it in the business.”  This amazingly talented performer wants to have a very successful career as a singer, but she realized early on that her character and morals were worth more than the millions she had hoped to make “in the business.”  That’s not to say that she’s abandoned the dream of someday being a nationally recognized singer – once you listen to her music, it’s clear she has the talent to make it – it’s just that she needs to find a producer who will work with her unique and diverse style. 

In addition to headliner Summer Clifton, five additional All-Star performers will add their individual style and talent to make June Bug Jam 2005 a unique entertainment opportunity in Norman.  Past June Bug Jam All-Star performers, Melissa Montgomery, Maci Wainwright, Jacob Lynn, Gary Upton and Morgan Brown will be returning to the Sooner Theatre stage to lend their support to Transition House, Inc. 

Melissa Montgomery is a wonderful vocalist who first appeared in June Bug Jam at age 15.  Her voice made everyone sit back and pay attention.  Winning awards and gaining statewide and regional attention was becoming common for Melissa, but last year, Melissa caught national attention on CBS’s Star Search as a contestant in 2004.  Now 19 years old, this UCO student is keeping very busy performing and working on a CD with her own original music.   

Maci Wainwright is another performer who joined June Bug Jam at a young age.  Now a veteran at 15, Maci is another award winning performer who has produced a couple of CD’s with her newest one available through her website at www.maciwainwright.com.  Maci’s schedule keeps her very busy and you can be assured that this talented young woman is probably performing, opening for big name stars, and winning awards some place in Oklahoma and surrounding states almost every week.  This is one hard working, very entertaining performer. 

Jacob Lynn is the youngest of the June Bug Jam All-Star performers.  The first year he performed at June Bug Jam – the audience couldn’t even see him behind his drum set, but they could hear him perform.  A veteran at 10 years old, Jacob has been winning awards, opening for big name stars and keeping audiences entertained.  Jacobs’s music is energizing and lots of fun, plus he is a wonderful young man.  Jacob has been part of the Transition House, Inc., Drum Circle float in the Norman Holiday Parade for the past 2 years.

Gary Upton has been a part of June Bug Jam since 1999.  He began as a competitor and after winning first place three times, he became one of our first All-Star headline performers along with Melissa Montgomery two years ago.    This award winning, finger picking guitarist has competed locally and at national levels.  Gary performs routinely in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas and if you’ve ever seen him perform, you’ll remember who he is.  From cartoon themes to Steely Dan – Gary makes beautiful music with his guitar. 

Morgan Brown is the newcomer to the June Bug Jam All-Stars.  This actor/vocalist knows how to entertain an audience and last year he was the top winner at June Bug Jam in the adult division.  Though he tends to perform everything from Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel, Broadway, and contemporary pop, Morgan decided to do some country music last year.  The audience couldn’t sit still.  While performing ‘Boot Scoot’n Boogie,’ fans were up on their feet and dancing.  Along with his career as a vocalist, this accomplished actor is set to be in a film being shot in Guthrie this summer.

June Bug Jam will once again have the Transition House, Inc., Drum Circle open this year’s show.  The Drum Circle is a part of the music wellness program offered through the agency and this year, clients will be sharing some of their recovery experiences through their music.  If you’ve never heard the Drum Circle, it’s an awe-inspiring performance that reminds people that there is hope and life beyond mental illness.

In addition to the All-Stars, the June Bug Jam committee will be selecting the top three youth and top three adults from the early afternoon auditions to compete in the evening Talent Competition.  Contestants will be competing for $175 first place prize money.  Second place winners will receive $100 and third place $50. 

From the Drum Circle, to the Contestants in the Talent Competition, to the All-Star performers with headliner Summer Clifton, to emcee’s Paul Austin and Dagen Boyd, this 2 hour show at Norman’s Sooner Theatre is a must see event.  Transition House, Inc., is extremely fortunate to have such wonderful performers involved in June Bug Jam.  Everyone at the agency is very grateful to all of their supporters.  As if the entertainment isn’t enough to draw you to the show, audience members will also have a chance to shop at the Silent Auction.  You don’t want to miss Transition House, Inc.’s annual benefit that supports persons in recovery from mental illness.  Show time at the Sooner Theatre in Norman is set for 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 18, 2005.  Mark your calendars now.  If you’ve always said you wanted to attend June Bug Jam – this is the year you won’t want to miss.  For more information, you can call Bonnie Dunn at 360-7926 or e-mail transitionhouse@coxinet.net.