Cotton Pickin' Theatre Revue

By
Minda Painter

The Rural American Music Revue plays at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas every fourth Saturday. The revue is promoted by the P.O.I.N.T. organization to attract talent to the Rural American Idol contest. Last Saturday night proved to be an exceptional evening of new talent and former winners of past shows. It was a good sampling of the growing number of up and coming performers who have gone through the Rural American Idol program.

That evening, an impromptu ensemble of musicians came together during rehearsal. It consisted of Curtis Wayne on banjo, Joe Ben Cason on bass guitar, Devon Jade on mandolin, and his uncle Johnny on lead guitar. It was decided that the “pick-up” band would open the show and support Devon in a “Bluegrass” evening at the opry.

Young bluegrass aficionado, Devon Jade of Celeste, did a wonderful job as co-emcee of the show with Jimmie Painter. His repertoire of bluegrass music selections for his vocal performances included “Crying over You”, “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and a number of “Bill Monroe” bluegrass specials.

Five years ago, 11 year old Kristie Lynn Patterson, won the title 2004 Rural American Idol with her enthralling performance of “Mule Skinner Blues”. She is now 16 and will be in the senior class at the Celeste Hugh School next school year. This teenage beauty delivered, with her rich powerful vocals, a LeAnn Rimes popular tune titled “Blues” followed by “Mr. Man in the Moon” by Patty Loveless. With her buddy, Devon, on guitar and Curtis Wayne playing the steel guitar, Kristie Lynn gave her rendition of “Leavin’ on you Mind”.

Another youngster who graced the stage was Loris Galloway III. He was the Division I first place winner in 2006. In his performance years back, he had a voice that would have qualified him for the Vienna Boys Choir. Now this 16-year old young man, who also has considerable proficiency on the acoustic guitar, has gained a maturity in his voice. He has also honed his skill at songwriting. Last Saturday he did an outstanding job with vocals and guitar as he performed his original song titled “You Mean So Much”. On his song, “The Long Black Train”, his deep voice resonated throughout the theatre. In a tribute to the celebration of Independence Day he closed his act with a stirring performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.” which brought the audience to their feet. Now a resident of New Ulm, Texas, his proud grand paw, Loris, Senior, of Winnsboro, made it a point to have the three generations of “Loris Galloway” at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre for his grandson’s performance.

A 2008 Rural American Idol finalist, Dale Howard, has also advanced in his singing career. In his effort to promote his newly recorded song, “No Love Lives Here”, which is currently being rated on “You Tube”, he made his campaign to the folks in the audience to join “You Tube” on the Internet. On the two original songs he delivered, he impressed the crowd with his craftsmanship as a songwriter. He expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity. Country music singer/songwriter, Dale Howard will be a name to remember.

The audition segment of the show was filled with excitement for the participants and pleasurable entertainment for the crowd. First in the lineup was Stanley Johnson, from Winnsboro. With his guitar in tow, he performed his version of “I’m Getting Ready for the End of the World” by George Strait and “Treat Me like a Fool” by Elvis Presley. His popularity in Winnsboro is sure to follow him to Rains County.

Returning from a previous appearance on the Shindig Show to qualify for the competition was Taylor Austin, from Canton. Animated on stage, her selections for audition were “It’s a Little Too Late” and “Strawberry Wine”. This lanky beauty was sensational on stage.

The third to audition was Kelly Worley of Point. She ripped out the song “Anyway” by Martina McBride and then livened it up with “That’s What I Like about you” by Trisha Yearwood.

All three audition participants impressed the audience and the judges, qualifying them to join other qualified contestants in a semi-final contest on July 24th, which will be big showdown of great up-and-coming talent.

After the tension of the pressure of the audition performance, the trio, Stanley Johnson, Taylor Austin, and Kelly Worley eased up for a fun performance during the second half of the show. Based on the cheers from the crowd for their appreciation of all the performers, it was another awesome night for the Rural American Music Revue, which was ended with a powerful rendition pf “How Great Thou Art” by Kristie Lynne.

The line up of performers for the Shindig Show next week will include, among others, Sandy Dean of Canton, and Patsy Hanks.

Picture (L-R) Devon Jade, Loris Galloway III, Taylor Austin, Stanley Johnson, Kelly Worley, Dale Howard, and Kristie Lynn Patterson