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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 19 > Entry
Soon, Connie Sue will be singing sans pal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some sad news hit the Buzz Central “In” box Tuesday. Libby’s Cabaret pianist Robert Strickland, who’s been the resident ivory tickler and musical director since the Buckhead supper club opened in 2000, is departing the club this spring.
“I’ve learned a lot, made a lot of new friends and had the opportunity to stretch and grow musically,” writes Strickland in an e-mail sent to friends and Libby’s regulars.
The pianist, who’s accompanied Joni Mitchell and Jennifer Holliday over the years, is leaving his post to pursue some of the many touring opportunities he’s had to turn down over the past six years.
Longtime cabaret fans will recall Strickland and the club’s namesake Libby Whittemore working together in the past millennium at the old Upstairs at Gene and Gabe’s in Midtown. The pair first cultivated their sibling-like onstage banter working in the former Coach and Six bar on Peachtree Street in the early 1990s.
“I could never have gotten through the last six years without him,” Whittemore told Buzz Tuesday. “He’s been such an asset to the club and to every singer he’s ever accompanied on our stage. I knew this day would come someday. It’s scary how talented Robert is. I guess I’ve just been stingy with him. As sad as it is, he deserves the very best, and now he’ll have a chance to take those other opportunities.”
On Thursday night, Strickland will perform his final “Night of Piano Mastery” solo set at Libby’s (including his big finale, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”), and he’ll still be donning his “Baby Jane” Bette Davis wig during the venue’s popular “Hollywood or Bust!” revue through the end of the month. His final stint will be accompanying singer Bernardine Mitchell during her May 4-25 engagement at the club.
Alas, the infamous Libby’s Christmas Show won’t be the same this year without Strickland playing Steve Lawrence to Whittemore’s Eydie Gorme on “Sleigh Ride” or performing the pair’s showstopping “Sisters” duet from “White Christmas.”
Alas, Whittemore’s alter ego, Connie Sue Day, the 31st Lady of Country Music, is also losing her fave accompanist, the Stetson-sporting Robbie Lee Strickland.
Cracked Whittemore: “I have not made that phone call yet. Poor Connie Sue is bound to come unwigged!”
A bloody Book Bash
The Center for Southern Literature at the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown may soon need a full-time mixologist on staff. Tonight at a scheduled Book Bash reception for mother-and-daughter mystery novelists Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, the specialty drink will be Bloody Marys. In the past few months, the house has whipped up content-appropriate cosmopolitans for “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell, Bellinis for John Berendt and Baileys Irish Cream for Frank McCourt. On Thursday, the Higgins Clarks will also host a “Lunch & Lit” session with fans at the MMH. And no, arsenic is not on the menu. For info: www.gwtw.org or call 770-578-3502.
Volume weekend for LowCountry
After feeding 5,200 attendees at the 41st Atlanta Steeplechase over the holiday weekend, it’s a minor miracle there was any pulled pork left for LowCountry Barbecue’s fanatical regulars this week. According to LowCountry’s aptly named Johnny Ham, the crowd, which included Gov. Sonny Perdue, sucked down 1,158 pounds of pulled pork barbecue, 625 pounds of chicken salad, 400 pounds of cabbage for coleslaw, 625 pounds of smoked salmon, 250 pounds of fresh fruit, 700 pounds of spinach artichoke dip, 388 dozen cookies and 300 gallons of “mostly sweet” tea.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Elinor Donahue (“Father Knows Best”) is 69. Actor Tim Curry is 60. Hip-hop mogul Suge Knight is 41. Actress Ashley Judd is 38. Actor James Franco (“Spider-Man” films, “Freaks and Geeks”) is 28. Actress Kate Hudson is 27. Actor Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars: Episodes II and III”) is 25.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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