The Louisiana Hayride comes to Neepawa
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- Published on Friday, September 29, 2017
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The Neepawa Banner
Do you remember Hank Williams? Roy Orbison? Patsy Cline? Did you ever see them in concert? Well, you can now! A unique show, known as the Louisiana Hayride, based on the historical radio show where these artists (and many more) performed, is coming to The Roxy Theatre Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. You will have the opportunity to attend a magical evening of entertainment where you’ll believe you really are at a concert featuring these superstars, enjoying their wonderful music from years gone by.
The talented singers and musicians of the Louisiana Hayride Show recreate these iconic artists and you’ll see and hear Hank Williams singing Your Cheatin Heart and Roy Orbison shows up with Only The Lonely, Crying and Pretty Woman. Patsy Cline will send shivers up your spine when she sings Crazy, Sweet Dreams (and more) and you’ll be completely entertained by Willie Nelson’s visit! Another audience favourite is Loretta Lynn singing her signature song Coalminer’s Daughter!
Many of these iconic artists have had a great influence on current singers and to add even more variety to the show, you will be entertained by Garth Brooks and Shania Twain as they make the connection between ‘old’ and ‘new’ country music!
Show creators, Lori and Gil Risling, have been touring this successful production, now in its eighth year, across western Canada to rave reviews. Shows have been selling out and people are attending over and over again! Says Gil Risling, “The music in this show will bring back memories from a bygone era. This is music that resonates with audience members.”
Interspersed throughout the show will be little bits of trivia about the artists the group portrays. That, Lori says, “has long been an audience favourite. They love hearing the history. A lot of it is quite surprising to them!“
The cast of multi-talented musicians includes Gil Risling on electric and acoustic guitar, and vocals when in character as Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison. Andrea Anderson is portraying Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Her newest character, Shania Twain has been met with delight! William Brookfield is on double keyboard, guitar and vocals. He has amazed the crowds with his stellar recreation of songs by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Conway Twitty. Mike Melnichuk adds stand-up bass, electric guitar and smooth vocals when he treats the audience to songs by classic country legends such as Ray Price and Faron Young. Troy Wakelin performs as Garth Brooks and shows his true excellence when performing two original songs.
The cast and crew of the Louisiana Hayride is dedicated to bringing authentic music to the audience, performing songs that are true to the originals. Rising says that “the show will take the audience back to a time when music was meaningful, words were understood and the sound was pleasant.”
