'Soul In My Country' at Suffolk Theater

Two Grammy-nominated artists join forces for a soulful spin on classic country in “Soul In My Country” on Friday, March 24, at 8 p.m.

Taking inspiration from such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke and so many others, soul singer Brian Owens and country music artist Rissi Palmer deliver their own interpretation of these classic sounds with soul and country flares, highlighting the longstanding marriage between the two genres of music. The night will feature originals composed by these two Grammy-nominated singer-songwriters as well as classics from the likes of Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, Otis Redding, and many more.

Acclaimed by Rolling Stone Magazine as a “Vibrant Soul Singer,” Owens continues to live up to this praise and continues to enrapture audiences with his performances. He’s best known for his duet with five time Grammy-winning and legendary vocalist Michael McDonald on his album “Soul of Ferguson,” his uniquely brilliant “Soul of Cash,” and the heartfelt interpretation of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which Owens filmed and recorded with his father, Thomas Owens, which has amassed over 100 million views.

Rissi Palmer was the first African-American woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987 when she debuted in 2007 with the single “Country Girl.” The song peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and served as the lead-off single to her self-titled debut album, which also produced the No. 59 hit “Hold On to Me.” In 2008, Palmer covered “No Air,” an R&B hit originally performed by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. She is also the host of Apple Music Country’s show “Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer.”

As an extra bonus, the show will feature up-and-coming pop singer-songwriter Malena Smith, whose rich Americana, jazz and popular music vocal style has been featured on many stages in Saint Louis and different parts of the United States as well as internationally in Japan. Smith’s most notable collaborations have included performances with Michael Bublé, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Brian Owens and Clark Beckham.

Tickets are $39 to $59 at thesuffolk.org. Suffolk Theater is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.