“BJ Thomas Live” benefits The Wharton County Junior College Foundation which funds student scholarships, faculty development, and academic programs. The summer gala begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a reception, dinner, live and silent auctions, plus one and one-half hours of Thomas’ smooth, dynamic sounds.

Thomas is rare among recording artists with success in three genres: pop, country, and contemporary Christian music. He is a five-time Grammy winner and two-time Dove Award winner and has sold over 70 million records. His impact on music is evident with 15 Top 40 pop hits, 10 Top 40 country hits, and 15 Gold and Platinum Records.

Billy Joe Thomas was born in Hugo, Oklahoma and grew up in Houston. He moved to Rosenberg, Texas at 15 and went on to graduate from Lamar Consolidated High School. Although he acquired the nickname BJ from his baseball coach at age 10, it didn’t take long for him to give up the bats in favor of guitars and singing. At age 15, Thomas joined a Houston rock band named the Triumphs.

Playing at dances and on Saturday morning radio, the Triumphs went on to become a big act in Texas. They opened at the Houston Coliseum for headlines like Roy Orbison, the Dave Clark Five, and the Four Tops.

In 1966, they recorded their first album which included the top hit, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

By 1968, Thomas had four gold records. One of his most popular hits, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” was written for the popular motion picture “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

In 1976, Thomas released the first of several Gospel albums, “Home Where I Belong,” which went platinum. He later moved back to country, leading to his selection as a Grand Ole Opry member in the 1980s. This coveted invitation comes from career accomplishments and commitments, but more importantly, from the relationship between artists and their fans.

Tickets are now on sale for “BJ Thomas Live.” Sponsor tables, with preferential seating for eight guests, are available for $1,500. Sponsoring organizations or individuals will receive a special keepsake gift in addition to sponsor recognition. Individual tickets are $75 each. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Aug. 1. The Wharton Civic Center is located at 1924 North Fulton Street in Wharton, Texas.

For more information about the event or to purchase sponsor tables or tickets, please call 979.532.6322 or 1.800.561.9252, ext. 6322.

###