The Marion Popcorn Festival has announced that renowned Central Ohio artist Arnett Howard and Friends will play at the historic Marion Palace Theatre on Thursday afternoon, September 7, at 2:00. As with all Festival entertainment, this show is a free concert.

Howard was born on September 6, 1950 in West Virginia. He was raised, however, in Plain City, Ohio graduating from Jonathan Alder High School, Capital University, and Leadership Columbus. He is a musician, broadcaster, journalist, historian, traveler, communications consultant, teacher, pilot, scuba diver, skier, confessed women’s basketball addict and former leader of Arnett Howard’s Creole Funk Band.

Since 1985, Howard has performed over 5,000 concerts to a variety of audiences throughout the world. He has recorded numerous CDs, authored Listen for the Jazz: Keynotes in Columbus History, and composed and produced numerous pieces including NBC4’s Football Friday Night theme.

After 18 summers touring with the Arnett Howard’s Creole Fund Band, Howard took a break in 2002 to “recover from asthma and cultivate some other interests”. He quoted Miles Davis in saying, “’Even something that you really love, you have to walk away from for a little while.’ What brought me back were the people. I enjoy the audience’s enjoyment, whether they are very young or very old. ”

In this new incarnation, Howard performs with friends who all have a long and noted music history. They include drummer Ron Henderson, bass guitarist David Hampton, saxophonist Mike Roberts, and keyboardist Bob Davis whom Howard refers to as his mentor.

Presented by Marion Popcorn Festival Entertainment Committee