Winston performs for fans in Paradise

Renowned pianist, George Winston, performed a benefit concert Monday at the Paradise Center in Paradise. Winston is best known for his folk music style that crosses with R&B, soul, Americana, country, and show tunes. He has recorded a total of 14 solo albums in his career. Currently, Winston is touring the country performing benefit concerts for local food banks, disaster relief and other causes that are dear to him.

The concert in Paradise benefitted three local performing arts interests: the Sanders County Arts Council (SCAC), the Paradise Center, and the Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls. The Rex was included because "we all want to support what Doug and Karen Grimm do for our area with the Rex," said Karen Thorson of the SCAC. Winston's concert was originally scheduled to be at the Rex, but a grand piano could not be moved in through the doors so the venue changed to the Paradise Center.

David Larsen, who grew up in Plains and now works in Missoula, was tasked with tuning the Henry Miller grand piano once it was in the Paradise Center.

"I find it a great honor and privilege to tune and service the piano for such a well known and talented musician," Larsen said. He is already familiar with the Henry Mill grand piano, having tuned it when it was first moved to the Paradise Center.

Winston offered a two-hour performance for the auditorium that is able to seat 150 guests with additional chairs brought in for the overflow. He played various songs of his career and inspirations from other pianists. Winston also played two songs on his guitar and one with his harmonica. Having grown up in Montana, Winston draws from this as inspiration for his albums named after the four seasons. The auditorium had acoustic upgrades installed to improve the overall experience for both the audience and the artist.

In 2012, Winston had his tour cut short due to a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease where your bone marrow doesn't produce enough healthy blood cells. Already a thyroid and skin cancer survivor, he then underwent a bone marrow transplant and has since been an advocate for people to look into being bone marrow donors.

Thompson Falls resident Lori Methgen attended the concert in Paradise with a ticket that she had saved from a 1986 Winston concert she attended in Chicago. Methgen had the opportunity to have Winston autograph the ticket. Winston reassured attendees that he intends to come back to the area again to play.