TEMPE, Ariz. – Veteran Western Blues musician Hans Olson will be the first featured headliner as Tempe Center for the Arts launches the Songwriters’ Showcase on Dec. 2, the city announced today.

“I chose Hans to be the headliner of the first Songwriters’ Showcase because the emerging performing singer songwriters and the community in attendance will walk away feeling inspired and highly entertained,” Walk-in Wednesdays Host Walt Richardson said. “I eagerly wait to hear his music, listen to his stories and feel the magic in his show.”

Olson is a well-known local and national solo performer and has opened for more than 100 bands and musicians, including The Allman Brothers Band, Chuck Berry, Blue Oyster Cult, Edie Brickell, Joe Cocker, Electric Light Orchestra, John Fogerty, Al Green, Allison Krauss, Dave Mason, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Edgar Winter and Z.Z. Top.

Olson has a dozen solo CDs to his credit and has been composing songs for television and film. He has songs placed in several TV shows including: The George Lopez Show, Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and many more.

Olson works on numerous commercial recording projects and does several voice-over jobs and soundtrack projects.

“My friend, Walt Richardson, invited me to participate in the program, and I was honored to be asked to play at such a beautiful new facility,” Olson said. “I think the program is a great opportunity for young songwriters and musicians to get a chance to play at a first class venue.”

For information on Olson, visit www.hansolson.net.

The Songwriters’ Showcase is a taped-for-television concert featuring emerging songwriters from the weekly Walk-in Wednesday Open Mic series at TCA, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. For information, visit www.tempe.gov/TCA/wiw.htm.

Walk-in Wednesdays and the Songwriters’ Showcase are sponsored by the city of Tempe, Total Wine and the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts. Walk-in Wednesdays continues at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

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