Not often does the Golden Belt Community Concert Association feature a steel drum and marimba percussionist in concert. In fact, this month’s performer is the first. Paul McDermand, Caribbean/pop performer on steel drum and marimba, will present the association’s first concert of 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone.

This GBCCA event is available to concert association members. Full-time students will be admitted to the concert for a $5 donation at the door by showing their school I.D. The auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m.

McDermand began his musical career as a free-lance percussionist in the Chicago area. At age 19, he assumed the percussion duties on a popular theatrical production in Chicago’s theatre district. The show was called “The Magic Man” and its star was another teenager, David Copperfield.

In 1981, McDermand moved to the Phoenix area, lending his artistry to film scores, commercial jingles, symphonic productions and stage shows of every description. The list of big-name entertainers with whom Paul has performed includes Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, Liberace, the Temptations and the Moody Blues.

McDermand was invited in 1993 to join the New York national revival tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” featuring the stars of Norman Jewison’s 1973 motion picture. He accepted, anchoring the rhythm section during sold-out performances throughout the world’s finest theatrical venues.

Upon his return to Scottsdale, he began to record instrumental arrangements built around the steel drums and marimba. These recordings have been embraced the world over for their easy nature and exotic beauty.

With his rising demand as a concert artist, McDermand appears both as leader of his own group and as a guest soloist, with guitar virtuoso Esteban.

For more information about the Golden Belt Community Concert Association, call 620-793-9440, or visit the GBCCA web site, www.goldenbeltcca.org.