Emily Rooker Album Release Concert

This concert performance will celebrate the release of Rooker's self-titled fourth studio album. Following the debut of Rooker's independent rock opera The Long Goodbye in 2022 and 2023, Rooker traveled far north to the wild shores of Lake Superior for an artist residency during which she expanded her toolkit as a songwriter and began electronically producing her own music for the first time in her 10+ year career as a musician. The forthcoming album is a result of Rooker's experiences playing with and changing her own creative process, and as such, incorporates more electronic elements than prior projects.

At this show, you can expect to hear songs from Rooker's new album, as well as favorites from The Long Goodbye and other former projects. Rooker has a long history of collaboration with other artists and songwriters, and as such, this concert will also feature guest appearances from Tony de Velasco, Dan Montgomery, and former Name & the Nouns bandmate Hilarie Dahlhauser. Several vocalists from The Long Goodbye are returning to sing with Rooker once more -- Kristian Thomas, who portrayed the Wicked Self, Abby Frances, who portrayed the Young Self, and Ally Wideman who portrayed one of the Mirrors. Additional guest vocalists include Kirby Boyd and Heaven Hubbard.

Rooker is honored and delighted to be performing in the First Congregational Church sanctuary, a sonically beautiful and visually stunning space. Rooker is a member of the church, and sings weekly with the First Congregational Church choir. Several members of the First Congo choir will be forming a concert choir to help perform the final five songs of this show, in a finale that is not to be missed!

Nate Smith, Rooker's husband and longtime collaborator, will be serving as band leader to the instrumentalists performing which include Bry Hart on drums, Jason Pulley on piano, Caleb Pratcher on guitar, Clay Ayers on bass and keys, and Smith himself on second guitar, trumpet, mandolin, and whatever else he may happen to be playing that evening.

Tickets are $20. Alcoholic and NA beverages will be available for a suggested donation at the show.

Doors at 6:30 pm, show begins promptly at 7:15 pm.

We are also collecting canned goods for First Congo's Food Justice Ministry! Each canned item will get you one raffle ticket. We will raffle prizes like a new Emily Rooker vinyl, other merch, and treats. Suggestions of canned foods that are best include canned fish, beans, and other proteins, or any other shelf-stable canned foods.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

First Congregational Church, 1000 Cooper Street, Memphis, United States