MUSIC REVUE LAUDS RISING TALENTS
By
Minda Painter

A glowing performance from young, aspiring artists dazzled a very appreciative crowd at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas, last Saturday night. The “Rural American Music Revue” featured a line-up of past division winners of the Rural American Idol contests. Leading the pack was a very perky, Lacy Larsen, 2005 first-place division winner, who emceed the show.

Lacy Larsen, opened the show with her delightful version of “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Larsen’s song selections “He’s A Heartache” and When A Woman Cries” were presented with full emotion and was loudly applauded by an enthusiastic audience, especially when she did an old Jim Reeves’ favorite, “Four Walls”.

While she has recently crossed over from gospel to country music, her gospel roots still reverberate loudly in her heart. Her duet with Danny Calk of "If We Ever Meet Again" was met with great delight from the audience. However, her signature song, “How Great Thou Art”, topped that performance for pure passion and was wildly received by the crowd with thunderous applause.

Fourteen-year-old, Courtney Daily from Celeste, looking chic in an elegant, polka-dotted dress was ready to take on the stage. She is among the group of talents from the Rural American Idol Program who have progressed well since her first performance at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in 2005. She presented her own style of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and proceeded with “Suds In A Bucket”. Her voice is maturing and is gaining a wide range with good quality. This was reflected as she sang “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” by Patty Loveless, and “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride. The appreciation shown by the audience was testimony to the development of this young gal, who placed 2nd in her division in 2005.

Julie Lightfoot, dressed impeccably and looking very elegant in her black-haltered outfit, opened her act with “Cheating Heart”. The flashy, young blond is a student at Tyler College and a member of the famed Apache Bells drill team. She has been a popular performer at the theatre since her appearance at the 2003 Rural American Idol contest.

Still whirling from a 2-month stint on stage in Buffalo, New York, Jake Penrod returned to his Texas roots. Penrod was ecstatic to be back home in Texas after playing the lead role in the play "Hank Williams Lost Highway" for a New York audience. Jake said the play was extremely successful; however, “The daily grind of 6 shows a week was starting to tell on me.” True to form, he delivered some of the classic, country music that his famous icon had made popular over half a century ago. The style was very reminiscent of old Hank, as Penrod seemed to slip into character and re-live some of the moments of the play. It was a special moment for folks in the audience to experience the “live” music of the legendary troubadour.

The 5th Annual Rural American Idol Final Competition on November 24th at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre will be featuring the Rural American Idol title holders for 2006 (Brittnee Lee), 2005 (Mandolin Wiessner), and 2004 (Kristie Lynn Patterson. A total of 11 finalists will compete for the 2007 Rural American title and the $1000 cash prize. Tickets for the limited seating are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets outlets in Point are Joe’s Music Store (903-598-2571), Golden Glow Emporium (903-598-2841), Liz’s Cotton Pickin’ Antique Store (903-598-2006), and in Emory, at the Rains County Chamber of Commerce (903-473-3913)

For next week, the regular Saturday Nite Shindig Show will be featuring award winning guitarist, Chuck Jennings” and Kristie Lynn Patterson.

LIVE OAK TREES REVITALIZES NFU MONUMENT PLAZA

Rick Hughes, of ETW, donated 3 Live Oak trees to the P.O.I.N.T. organization, to replace the original trees that died from summer heat. Joe Ben Cason (L) and Minda Painter posed with Hughes and the trees which he helped plant at the Monument Plaza in Point. The Live Oak Tree is an emblem of the National Farmers Union signifying growth and strength.

Besides owning and operating the Emory Tire and Wheel Company (ETW) in Emory, Rick Hughes also runs a landscaping business from his office at Lake Fork; hence, the Live Oak trees. His landscaping chores take him from Longview to Dallas, while he manages his storage facility-complex in Emory. As a entrepreneur in the area, he said he was interested in seeing Rains County reach its full potential for growth and business.