TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS SHINDIG SHOW
By
Minda Painter

The recent Saturday night entertainment by the Shindig Show at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre was filled with a hoard of traditional country music selections. Songs popularized by top artists like Hank Williams (Jr and Sr), George Jones, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Larry Gatlin, and Reba McEntire were among the top tunes performed to the satisfaction of the many country music enthusiasts that turned out for the evening of entertainment.

A growing favorite performer, James Smith of Fruitvale did justice to two of Johnny Cash’s signature songs, “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Get Rhythm”. With his guitar in tow, he kept the up-beat rhythm with the band. He continued the tempo of his performance with the Cajun beat of “Jambalaya”. The Jambalaya English lyrics to the song were written by Hank Williams. They were developed for a melody copied from an earlier tune recorded in Cajun French called “Grand Texas”. James Smith performed the song with the zest of a good Cajun beat.

New to the Cotton Pickin’ stage was Tammie White, (below) from Royce City. The many Patsy Cline fans enjoyed her impressive rendition of “Walkin’ After Midnite” and “Love-Sick Blues”. Her son, Dakota, joined her on stage to give her a wonderful solo guitar accompaniment for her last song, a heart warming rendition of “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert.

Another guest performer, Irene Pecina from Emory, added her repertoire of country music tunes, including “Blue Kentucky Girl” and “Waltz Across Texas”. She opened the second half of the show with a country jig and ended the number playing the spoons as the band tried to keep pace.

After the first couple of lines to the song “That’s the Way Love Goes”, the crowd broke into applause as they welcomed Norman Cason (Below ) back to the stage. The classic, by Merle Haggard, echoed his return to the Shindig stage and received a thunderous applause. Norman continued to please the crowd with a selection by Hank Williams Sr., “Lonesome for You” and by Hank Williams, Jr., “Old Habits”. Deeply rooted in a passion for country music, this local troubadour provides satisfaction to the audience that appreciates “good country”.

Rusty Hines has become a mainstay in the Saturday night show. This night, he delivered his numbers from the drummer’s mike. His benefit to the show was evident when he had to sit-in for regular, Dennis Cason.
Freddie York does “George Jones” just like George Jones. Everyone knows that George please his audience; the only thing missing is a “Tammy Wynette”.