Unfortunately, it's impossible to see Karen Carpenter perform now, but you can see something close to her, and that's Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters.

Led by Lisa Rock, the seven-person tribute band is the longest running Carpenters tribute in North America. Based in Chicago, the band is bringing its tour, now in its 16th year, to McMinnville's Park Theater Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Close to You has played nearly 500 dates, selling out venues across 42 states.

Karen Carpenter's unique vocal range earned her a spot on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Known as both one of the best vocalists ever as well as an accomplished drummer, Carpenter is known for such hits as "We’ve Only Just Begun," "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Close to You." Carpenter died in 1983 at the age of 32 due to complications related to anorexia nervosa. 

Her music, however, lives on through the efforts of Rock, a playwright and singer who has created a tribute to Carpenter's life and music, playing the best of her hits interspersed with stories of her life and career. Rock and the band are looking forward to their upcoming McMinnville appearance.

"We never think about the size of a venue," Rock said. "We've played everything from venues with under 300 seats to selling out 3,500-seat buildings. We've been together for 16 years and we love what we do so much. I'm so excited about coming to McMinnville, because my niece and my sister-in-law live in Nashville. This is our second time in Tennessee in our 16 years. And now, we've booked a whole bunch of Tennessee shows over the next few years, so that makes me happy."

Rock's inspiration to develop a Carpenters show was due partly to her parents' influence as well as her realization that her voice bore a natural similarity to Carpenters'.

"Growing up, my parents had everything from Chicago to The Beatles to The Doobie Brothers to Motown," Rock said. "They were parents of the '60s. The first Carpenters album came out in 1969, and I grew up with that music and singing it. When I got out of college, I did karaoke one night and I sang a Carpenters song. You know how karaoke bars are. People are drinking and being loud and crazy. When I sang, it got so quiet. I thought, 'Oh, this is weird.' It was because they were really listening. I had sung a million other songs and had done other karaoke things, but that Carpenters song really got this quiet feeling."

That fateful karaoke experience launched Rock on a path to further explore Carpenter's life, ultimately leading her to create Close to You.

"There was a book that came out about Karen Carpenter in 1996, and I read it and thought, wow, nobody's really done anything with her. It was just so tragic and yet–that voice. Karen was never about an image. It was just about the music and not having to dress a certain way or be a certain way. It was kind of a no-brainer. I just wanted to do that incredible music. I thought I'd do it a few times and see how it goes, and that was 16 years ago. It just struck a nerve, I guess. In March we sold out a 1,500-seat venue. All over the country we're selling out places and still going strong. Great music stands the test of time. Karen is still in the top five when anyone talks about the best female singers."

While Rock doesn't follow in Karen's footsteps on drums, Close to You features a female drummer, channeling Carpenter's spirit. Rock and her band have found the music of the Carpenters spans multiple generations while even creating new fans, music to the ears of a tribute band which wishes to continue for many years.

"I sometimes wonder if we have an end date on this when the generation that grew up with the Carpenters is no longer around, but I don't think so," Rock said. "There's another generation building up that is loving it as well, and I am very grateful for that."

Park Theater management is happy to be able to bring a touring act of this quality to McMinnville and hopes everyone will kick off a jam-packed weekend in Warren County with a stop at 115 W. Main St. Friday night.

"We are really excited to welcome Lisa and her band to McMinnville," Park Theater Assistant Manager Ashley Gillentine Wright said. "Their musical talent and storytelling are going to make this a really great evening. This show is at the beginning of a very full weekend of local happenings in the community and a busy month of activities at the Park. We are looking forward to setting the tone with an evening of classic throwback music to help kick off Back to the Strip weekend."

To those still on the fence about buying tickets, Rock has a clear message.

"Come and have some fun," Rock said. "You know this music. And if you don't, you're going to hear really great music from people who love what they're doing. You'll be singing along before we're done. It's a communal kind of feeling. I tell stories about the Carpenters and also our road experiences. It's very interactive and a relaxed, fun night to enjoy this great music."

Tickets start at $25 plus tax and are available at the Park Theater website, the Park box office, or at the door before the 7:30 p.m. show.


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