ALAMOSA—Society Hall, at 400 Ross Avenue in Alamosa, is proud to present an evening of western music with rising star Carin Mari, with Valley favorite Fred Hargrove opening the show, in concert on Friday March 3rd at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door, and are available online at www.societyhall.org, or in Alamosa at the Green Spot.

Acclaimed as one of Western Music's brightest hopes, Carin Mari is a songwriter from the heart with a deep passion for her music. She finds inspiration from life at home in the mountains of Colorado where she was born and raised. Friend and mentor Michael Martin Murphey suggested Carin learn, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" in 2001, and from that moment Country Music quickly became her passion. Not a far stretch from her roots, Country Music fit her lifestyle perfectly since she was already passionate about her horses and an avid rider with a love for the western way of life. After 10 years of continued dedication, her talents as a guitarist/singer/songwriter have won her numerous awards, including 2010 Texaco Country Showdown Southwest Regional Winner and Runner-up in the National Final – and she did it with her own original western music!

Carin has been touring nationwide for the past seven years, often with her band Pony Express, and sometimes opening shows for Murphey. She a very diverse artist that can include a wide variety of music in her shows including, Western, New Country, Bluegrass, Classic Country, and Folk. Whether Carin is on stage with a big band or playing as a solo entertainer, she is a crowd pleaser with her soothing vocals and intricate guitar skills. She has a great respect for sounds of traditional western music, but strives to create her own refreshing sound that will appeal to the lovers of the traditional music, as well as those new to the genre.

Valley favorite Fred Hargrove is well known to area audiences, both as emcee and entertainer on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, and from his many local shows around the valley. His rich baritone and engaging stage presence seem to make everyone feel at home, and make strangers feel like old friends. Fred has also toured nationally, often opening shows with Michael Martin Murphey. Fred began his professional performing career in 1992, and has played many western music festivals and cowboy poetry gatherings throughout the years. He has recorded six CD's, the last three being with Don Richmond at his Howlin’ Dog Records Alamosa studio. In 2010, the Western Music Association nominated "My Sacred Ground", as Album of the Year.  In 2011, an original song on that album, "Code of the West", was nominated for Song of the Year.  For the past six years Fred has been on the “Top 100 Most Played Western Artists” list.  The list is formed by the western music DJ's, all across the English speaking world.