You’d be ‘crazy’ to miss this one
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 17, 2008
When the Country Music Television Network ran a four-hour special on “The 40 Greatest Women in Country Music,” the person selected No. 1 as the single greatest contributor to the profession was 1950s-1960s legend Patsy Cline. How appropriate then that this Saturday at the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center, the clock will be turned back to 1957 to present Miss-Lou residents to a repeat performance of the hit musical “Always…Patsy Cline.”
You’ll be whisked back to the Ryman Auditorium and WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, where you’ll see “Patsy” make her Opry debut on that famous stage. You’ll have a chance to sit back and enjoy her greatest hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “Walking After Midnight,” and 23 more.
The show is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. Louise, portrayed by Diana Glaze — who also directs the production — is the narrator. She first hears Patsy sing on the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1957 and it’s love at first sound.
Louise becomes an ardent fan and every morning pesters a local radio station disc jockey into playing a Patsy Cline tune. When she learns Patsy is going to perform at a Houston honky-tonk, she arranges to be there hours before the show. And, in short order, Louise progresses from fan, to agent, to good friend and confidant. Although Louise never sees Patsy again, they stay in touch by mail until the singer’s untimely and tragic death at age 30 in 1963.
Patsy is portrayed by Miss-Lou resident Mary Nell Rushing. A talented vocalist and huge Patsy Cline fan, it is a role she cherishes, and you’ll hear why when she hits that first note. Close your eyes, and you’ll think the real Patsy is on stage. Patsy’s famous band, “The Bodacious Bobcats,” is recreated as well.
Miss-Lou residents will find themselves tapping their toes to the music produced by one of the finest country-western swing bands ever assembled in this area. First, there is the barrel-roll honky-tonk piano playing of Musical Director Sylvia Johns Ritchie, the violin virtuosity of fiddlers Mickey Davis and Dave Troutman, and the mournful wailing sounds of Ed Freeman’s pedal steel guitar. These four are backed by a solid rhythm section, which includes Louie DeVries on bass, Casey Gilbert on guitar and yours truly on drums.
Every Miss-Lou performance of this show in the past has been a sellout, so country-western fans had better round up tickets fast for this popular event, which truly transcends labels and genres. Make plans to attend this at 7 p.m. Saturday. Call 601-445-6103 for reservations.
Terry Trovato is the drummer for “Always…Patsy Cline.”