Brian Setzer Tickets

Brian Setzer found success in the early '80s and, after a short break, found his way back to the top of the charts, bringing back an entire genre of music that had lost steam in America.

Setzer formed the rockabilly group TomCats in 1980, and they gained fame throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. They traveled to London, England, later that year and renamed themselves Stray Cats. When they returned to the U.S. in 1982 to support the album "Built for Speed," they found commercial success with "Rock this Town" and "Stray Cat Strut." In 1983, the album "Rant 'N Rave" included the hit singles "(Shes) Sexy +17." Between 1981 and 1993, the band released nine albums.

The dispersed in 1993 and Setzer wasted no time returning to the mainstream, and this time he brought some friends - swing and big band music. Along with The Brian Setzer Orchestra, the musician carried the genre back into the limelight with the massive hit "Jump, Jive an Wail."

Setzer has received a number of accolades for his time spent with both bands. He was the recipient of the Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. The only other performers to receive this award are Emmylou Harris, B.B. King, Vince Gill and John Fogerty. Setzer finished out this list as what the chairman of Gibson Musical Instruments referred to as a "creative genius as one of Americas great musicians and accomplish guitarists."

In addition, Setzer has taken home three Grammy awards, including "Best Pop Performance" for "Jump Jive An Wail" and "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for both "Sleepwalk" and "Caravan."

Setzer still performs with his Orchestra, most recently releasing "Wolfgangs Big Night Out," which includes a big band version of classical symphonies. Some of the songs Setzer interprets in the album include "Symphony No. 5," "Flight of the Bumblebee" and "Fur Elise."

The legendary artist is known for his holiday tours, where he interprets holiday standards with his special Setzer touch.