The word around town was that Michael Kelsey is one of the most dynamic performers in the country. The word was truth.

Kelsey was the featured performer at the Troy Arts Council Patrons Reception Tuesday night at The Cultural Arts Studio and dynamic was just one of the many adjectives used to describe the “one-man band.”

Kelsey plays guitar, bass and drums and his style of music is a mixture of blues, folk and rock.

Zee Hall, Troy University student, said she had never before seen a performer like Kelsey.

“He’s so inventive, just incredible,” she said.

Hall was not familiar with Kelsey until she was introduced to him on Facebook.

“The Troy Arts Council has a Facebook page with information about their programs,” she said. “From there, I went to Michael Kelsey’s website and I was immediately hooked. I’m a big string instrument fan and, if the arts council is going to have fun and entertaining programs like this, I’m sold.”

The TAC’s calendar of events for 2009-2010 may not be completely “like this” but it will have a new look, said Pam Allen, TAC vice president.

“We are moving in a new direction,” Allen said. “We are reaching out more to the young people. The members of the arts council, who are Troy University faculty members, have a Facebook page and are encouraging the students to get involved in the TAC events.”

The TAC is offering a patron season ticket for university students for $25 and will offer individual performance tickets to Troy University students for $5.

Larry Percy, Troy University faculty member, said he was impressed that the arts council could bring a performer of such high caliber as Michael Kelsey and one is so inventive and creative to Troy.

“This is new and it’s very refreshing,” Percy said.

Margaret Stewart, a longtime patron of the arts, said 2009-2010 will be a different kind year for the TAC.

“The arts council is making an effort to appeal to a broader range audience,” she said. “Some of the programs will appeal to the more seasoned patrons and others to the young people. I think the calendar is a happy medium. But all of the programs are outstanding. You would have to travel a long distance to see and hear such great entertainment at such a good ticket price.”

Dr. William Denison, TAC president, said he was well pleased with the attendance at the reception.

“We had a large crowd and a mixed crowd and everyone had a good time,” he said.

“We are looking forward to all the programs that we have planned.”

To become a patron of the arts call the Troy Arts Council at 670-2288.