Press Release

October 5, 2004

Contact: Janet Fout, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, 304-522-0246

FOREVER WILD: A CELEBRATION OF WILDERNESS

HUNTINGTON, WV—One of America's most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin' Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his moving multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the LaBelle Theatre, 311 D St., South Charleston from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. The photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas.

Walkin' Jim gets his name from nearly 25,000 miles he has walked through the wild country of North America. Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, his lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well. Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, his Forever Wild show combines live music and poetry with stunning, multi-image slides. The mix of photographs and music results in a stirring celebration of wilderness. Stoltz is veteran of 30 years of performing. In this year’s show he will be sharing images and songs from the Utah wildlands, the Northern Rockies, the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, and a Yellowstone to Yukon walk.

Walkin' Jim has toured extensively throughout the U.S. for over 15 years and has been presented with the Environmental Protection Agency's, Outstanding Achievement Award for his sharing of nature and wilderness across America. Edward Abbey, the late author of many nature classics, described Stoltz as "a music man of exuberance and passion, with more to say in one song than Frank Sinatra ever managed in a whole bloody concert."

Stoltz's eight recordings get regular airplay on National Public Radio and will be on sale at the concert. He is a co-founder of Musicians United to Sustain the Environment (M.U.S.E.), and has produced two compilation recordings featuring various nationally known artists all benefiting wildlife and wild places.

Tickets for the concert are $10 and will be available at the door and in advance by calling 304-522-0246. The concert is a fundraiser for the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, www.ohvec.org.

Stoltz is available for pre-concert interviews. Call Janet Fout at 304-522-0246 to arrange an interview. For photos of Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, e-mail a request to vivian@ohvec.org.

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