Cumby resident, Lou Ann Petty, who played Patsy Cline, in
"Always....Patsy Cline," belts-out one of over 25 Classic Cline songs,
featured in the production.

 

"Always...Patsy Cline" Gala Performance
Spotlights Area Talent

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Those in attendance at Sunday's performance were able to interact with the cast at the reception
following the production.

 

On Sunday afternoon, shortly after the Walmart shooting just a couple of block away, I joined a throng of people from Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County at the final and Gala performance of "Always...Patsy Cline," at the TAMU-C Theater. Having seen the dress rehearsal performance, the production got nothing but better with each performance and by its final staging on Sunday afternoon was absolutely spectacular.

 

Local radio personality, Enola Gay, tried her hand at Patsy's mike, during the
reception, hosted on Sunday afternoon.

 

Following Sunday afternoon's performance a Gala, benefiting the Ray Price Foundation Scholarship Program, was hosted in the foyer of the theater, with hors d' oeuvres, wine, and soft drinks, and an opportunity for those in attendance to meet the cast and crew. Then, a special concert, featuring an array of talent from the play cast and musicians and vocalists from all across Northeast Texas was hosted. The three hour concert was certainly a pleasure to behold and featured the awesome talent that Play Director, Jim Anderson, has "waiting in the wings" for future productions at the University. "We can only imagine what other great productions Anderson 'has up his sleeve,' with this talent in his stables, just waiting to shine!" declared one of Sunday's attendees. "He has such a great source of talent, you know that the future is extremely bright!"

 

Jim Tyler Anderson, Director of the play, introduces those who will perform on Sunday's
concert performance.

 

Enjoy these photos from Sunday's production, reception, and concert, and congratulations to Jim Anderson and the great performances and quality entertainment from his department!

 

Members of the Theater Arts Department and friends presented musical selections throughout
Sunday's concert performance. Here Jacob Layton and Mattie Plummer "dual the guitars" in this number.

 

Cassie Pennington, who was the understudy for the part of Louise, in
the production, entertained the audience with this number.

 

Cumby's Amanda Barrow, who was the Patsy Cline understudy, lit-up
the stage with this Lorretta Lynn favorite, "Fist City."

 

 

 

 

Stage Manager, Rene Caldwell, "brought the house down" with this selection
of "Fever," during the Sunday afternoon concert.

 

KaLynn Ader presents this version of "Angel Baby."

 

This duo, of Joanna Firth and Jacob Layton, performed a June Carter and Carl Perkins number to the delight of the crowd.

 

And, yes ladies he's single.....Introduced as the newest sensation in Northeast Texas music, 19 year old,
Kevin Eldridge, of Wolfe City had played "Jim Bob" in the play, he plays steel guitar and the fiddle,
and then wowed the crowd with this rendition of "Stature of a Fool."

 

 

Lou Ann Petty took the stage to perform this Ray Price number, "Heartaches By The Number."

 

Dan Grobe, of Cumby, lent his talent to on vocals and guitar, as he was a member of the "Bodacious Bobcats Band"
in the play.

 

Dr. Debra Porter lent her talent to folk music on the ukulele.  

 

 

    

Cowboy poet, vocalist, and songwriter, Mark Wright, offered a poem about a hat, and a moving patriotic number dedicated the the peace officer
who stopped the gunman in the Commerce Walmart Shooting.

 

 

 

Grammy Award winning guitarist, Brad Davis, is joined by his daughter, Briley, in this series of songs
that highlighted their outstanding talent.

 

And, Petty joined Brad Davis for this number, entitled "Scotch and Soda."

 

And, those who attended last year's production of "Lost Highways...The Hank Williams Story,"
were delighted to have Jacob Layton to return to the stage and close Sunday's concert with
"I Saw the Light!"

 

Members of the Bodacious Bobcat Band included, Kelly Connell, Kevin Eldridge, Hal Wright, Rob McWhorter,
Dan Grobe, and Fred Siebenthall.

 

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