Amelia Eisenhauer, Chris Slone to perform at SI Center in Du Quoin

Former Du Quoin singer Amelia Eisenhauer will perform at noon Saturday, Jan. 19, during the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Indoor Softball Tournament. Eisenhauer will be joined by up-and-coming singer/songwriter Chris Slone as featured performers during the tournament that is hosted at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin this weekend.

Eisenhauer started her music career when she was eight years old and became a sought-after fiddle player and lead/harmony vocalist for bluegrass and country bands. She currently performs with her own family bluegrass band. The Eisenhauer Band consists of family members Amelia, and her brother Andy Eisenhauer on banjo, mandolin and bass. They are managed as well as joined on stage by their mother, Rhonda Eisenhauer, who sings harmony and plays rhythm guitar. Amelia Eisenhauer currently resides in Nashville, Tenn.

Twenty-seven girls traveling fast-pitch softball teams will compete at the 2013 Southern Illinois Indoor Fastpitch Softball Tournament this Friday through Sunday at the Southern Illinois Center, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15.

Girls softball teams from southern, central and northern Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee will compete in the following age groups: 12 & under, 14 & under, and 16 & under. Competition will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday evening and continues through Sunday, with each team playing a minimum of three games in this double-elimination tournament.

All proceeds provide support to over 840 athletes in Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15, which serves individuals with intellectual disabilities in the following counties: Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Union and Williamson.

For more tournament information, please visit www.southernillinoisindoorsoftball.org.