Mix it Up Feb. 20, 09
by Randy Cordova The Arizona Republic
The death of a Valley woman inspired an upcoming fundraiser that has attracted the attention and support of American Idol victor Jordin Sparks.
"We're thrilled she's involved," says event coordinator Anthony Kessman. "This will be a big event for her and her fans."
Sparks gets top billing at the Mix It Up Variety Show, which will be held in Phoenix on Feb. 20. Also scheduled to appear are radio personalities Johnjay and Rich, Christa Black and the Rhythm Riders, a country band that Kessman manages.
The concept of the show is reflected in its title.
"Every show Jordin does, fans have to wait to the end to see her," Kessman says. "This way, she'll pop up early and keep coming out and doing things people don't expect from her."
While Sparks' recording career plants her firmly in an R&B/pop style, longtime Valley fans know that the Glendale-raised singer has a thing for country music. She used to perform on amateur nights at Mr. Lucky's, a club formerly owned by J. David Sloan, who is also on the bill.
Kessman says the diverse mix of artists means you can expect Sparks to perform such offbeat tunes as the Charlie Daniels Band's The Devil Went Down to Georgia and Jackson, a '60s duet by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood.
"These are the kind of songs that people don't know she loves," Kessman says.
The show will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children and Sparks Charities. The impetus for the event came after the death last year of Phoenix resident Toni Davenport, who died of cancer. Family friends decided to do an event in her memory.
"It started from that, and it's grown into this," Kessman says. "It's very special."
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