UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Acclaimed Singer Patti LaBelle to Perform at UT Tyler

Follow @UTTylerTweet

March 29, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Grammy Hall of Fame inductee Patti LaBelle is set to perform at The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center executive director, announced.

A Braithwaite Performance Event sponsored by Marilyn Richey, LaBelle will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. Media sponsors are The Blaze and KLTV.

Tickets are $117, $97, $87, $77, $72 and $57 and can be purchased at the UT Tyler Cowan Center box office, by calling 903.566.7424 or online at cowancenter.org. Box office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"We are thrilled to announce Patti LaBelle as this season's mystery guest. She is a phenomenal performer, and we are honored to have her amazing voice on our stage," said Thomae-Morphew.

Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force that is LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird's name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility for which "Ms. Patti" is known and revered.

Labelle also has written five best-selling books, Don't Block the Blessings, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Patti's Pearls, Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine and Recipes for the Good Life.

Recently, she introduced Patti's Good Life, a successful line of food products that features a variety of sauces, sweet potato pie and cakes and has starred in her own highly-rated cooking specials on the Cooking Channel and Food Network.
In addition to her amazing career as an entertainer and entrepreneurial success, LaBelle's work as a humanitarian is just as renowned. She remains an advocate for adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund, among many other initiatives.

LaBelle has endured and survived personal strife. Within a 10-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, she was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

Born Patricia Louise Holte, LaBelle, 72, rose from a church choir member to the lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later LaBelle to a world renowned solo artist.

"Each year I grow, and that's a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it," said LaBelle. "It's not about making money because I don't need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I've got to get on that stage."

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of nearly 10,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.