City of Murphy 206 N. Murphy Rd. Murphy, TX 75094 (972) 468- 4000 www.murphytx.org

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Celso Martinez 972-623-8836 July 16, 2012 Maize Days to fill day with music and entertainment Two stages will provide a wide variety of entertaining acts

MURPHY (July 16, 2012) Murphy’s annual community festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on the Municipal Complex grounds, promises to provide music aficionados with an nearly constant stream of music and entertainment, according to Recreation Supervisor Caitlyn Meehan.

“This year, we’re having two separate stage areas where people can enjoy a wide variety of amusement and entertainment throughout the entire day. Our Main Stage will carry the bulk of the musical performances, including our headlining acts,” she said.

The Main Stage opens with a 40-minute set from Hard Country at 10 a.m., followed by Matt Bradshaw with a 40-minute acoustic country repertoire at 11 a.m. At 12:10 p.m., the Main Stage welcomes The Party Crashers Band with a little over an hour of classic and dance party music from the 50s to the 90s. Blaze of Glory, a Bon Jovi cover band will take the Main Stage at 1:40 for about an hour.

Then, the headliner’s opening act, Voodoo Blue, opens the evening’s performances with a 90 minute set. Voodoo Blue is a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band, faithfully playing Vaughn’s signature guitar brand of music. The three-member band uses the same precision in recreating the melodies that brought international fame to Vaughn. Lead guitarist Tommy Katona is a native of Hungary and formed Voodoo Blue after relocating to Dallas to follow his dream of playing in the shadow of his musical idol.

At 6:30 p.m., Maize Days presents headliner Junior Brown of Austin. Brown is an innovative musician who invented the unique “guit-steel” instrument, a combination (double neck) electric guitar and steel guitar. He had mastered the two instruments in shows throughout the country, and invented the hybrid to avoid the trouble of switching from one to the other.

Fittingly, Junior Brown plays a cross between and rock and roll, making him difficult to categorize, although his roots are most definitely in the country/western genre. His band, which includes his wife as a vocalist, has played in venues across the country and has won numerous awards and accolades.

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Maize Days music July 16, 2012 Page 2

At the conclusion of the Junior Brown’s 90 minute performance, the festival concludes with the now traditional Laser Light Show. The 15 minute show will be coordinated with the latest Top-40 tunes, with the best views being around the pond facing City Hall.

“We’re very excited about the Main Stage musical acts as well as those performers who will entertain guests and visitors at the Ballard Street Community Stage, located in the Kid Zone. There will be something for everyone,” said Meehan.

Maize Days kicks off with the A-Maize-ing 5K and Fun Run at Tom Kimbrough Stadium at 8 a.m. Shuttle buses will take visitors from the stadium parking lot and the Murphy Marketplace parking lot to the festival and back throughout the day.

The Municipal Complex is located at 206 North Murphy Road.

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ABOUT MURPHY -- Murphy is a fast-growing community located in Collin County and bounded by Plano, Richardson, Wylie, Sachse, and Parker. While only about four square miles in size, the population is approximately 18,020. The population is generally characterized as highly educated with a median household income above the state average. With more than 70 percent of the land developed, the community is dominated by single-family residences. Determined to maintain a country living ambiance, city planners strive to preserve that feel while still exhibiting an aggressive economic development stance. The centrally-located municipal complex includes four buildings that house Fire, Police, City Administration and Public Works. Money Magazine has dubbed Murphy as the 27th Best Place to Live in America for small cities.