OLDER STARS SHINE THE BRIGHTEST
By
Minda Painter

A recent Saturday night at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas was like a trip back to the grand ole days of radio for a really vocal audience. It was as if we were listening to the”Grand Ole Opry” with a live feed of country music streaming forth. The audience laughed at the corny jokes. People clapped in rhythm to the music, and they showered the performers with their applause. We even saw some hoe-down dancing at one time. The crowd was in a good mood, and everyone let the performers know it.

Chuck Jennings (R) made a return engagement to the Shindig Stage. He has put a lot of miles on the road playing for the likes of “Box Car Willie”; however, he has not lost his flair as gifted guitarist. He is the source of the corny jokes that have entertained audiences for years. His music can come from “Willie”, Merle Haggard, or “Hew Haw’s” Buck Owens. It is still good ole country.

Another trooper that has paid his dues is Point’s, Gene Smith. Often seen handling the sound system at the theatre, this night he was one of the stars. In the past, he has fiddled for some of the best country bands in the state and often sits in for a member of the Shindig group.

That Saturday night, Gene conjured up some ole Opry favorites and serenaded the folks with a first class, polished performance.

Darrell Felts is a throw-back to even older country styles when he plays his dobro, which is an acoustic guitar, with a large metal sound board. For those not familiar with a dobro, the musician holds it on his lap and plays with a steel similar to that used for steel guitar. It produces a unique sound that adds an unusual quality to a number. “The Great Speckled Bird” and “Fire Ball Mail” are songs from yesteryear that are ideal for the dobro.

Let’s not forget David Lemmon. (below R) When he starts singing it's like we turned the clock back to 1968 and tuned our radios to “The Glen Campbell Show”. David started his set with the award winning song, “Gentle On My Mind”. As the guitars of Chuck Jennings and “Mr. D”(Don Hoeft) started the song, a sigh came from the audience because the lead-in to the song is a beautiful combination of guitar chords that do not fit traditional country music. John Hartford, a Glen Campbell side kick, won two music awards with this song, and the audience loved the change of pace.

Exhilaration continued as Dennis Cason provided the fast beat on the drums to his featured performance of “Wipe Out”. A thunderous applause and as well as many "drops" in the Tip Hat showed the crowd’s great appreciation for such an act.

All the regulars had a place on the program; however, the Cason Family Quartet seemed to have more fun than the audience when they closed out the show. Working with some new material, Betty was not letting hubby, Paul, read the sheet music over her shoulder, and the onstage play between them drew appreciative laughs from the audience.

Anyone interested in an audition to qualify for the Rural American Idol competition on October 24th. may call 903-598-3809. For more information and to obtain entry form, visit www.ruralamericans.org