The Louisiana Hayride Show brought the country songs and stars of yesteryear to life before an appreciative crowd at the Stettler Performing Arts Centre last week.
Classic tunes by performers like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell were performed by the group during its concert on Friday, Nov. 14, which attracted upwards of 200 guests.
The touring show takes its name from the classic radio show that aired live from the Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, La., on KWKH from 1948 to 1960.
The Louisiana Hayride featured both established stars and up-and-coming performers, and helped to launch the careers of musicians like Hank Williams, Sr., Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
Host Lori Risling explained that the goal of the show is to keep the music of the past alive through the band’s performances, which mimic the show in structure and style. All of the performers whose music is featured must have some connection to the show, however tenuous it may be.
In between songs, she shared trivia and stories, telling how, for instance, the Hayride hired back Hank Williams after he was fired by the Grand Ole Opry program in 1952, due to his struggles with painkillers and alcohol.
She also told the audience how record producer Sam Philips to speed up his new song, “I Walk The Line,” turning it from a ballad into an up-tempo number.
The song became a No. 1 hit upon its release in 1956.
Friday’s show, lasting more than two hours, began with a performance of Hank Snow’s “Movin’ On.” Gil Risling performed in character as Hank Williams, who was seen clutching a flask before taking the stage, and as Willie Nelson, who would begin singing a song he wrote, only to be interrupted by another singer who had made it famous.
In the second act, he returned as Roy Orbison, donning a thick wig and dark glasses, and impressing the audience with his falsetto on songs like “Only the Lonely” and “Crying.”
Lorraine Hartsook performed as both Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline, while pianist and guitarist William Brookfield imitated the styles of Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Mike Melnichuk, who alternated between guitar and stand-up bass, also sang lead on several songs, like Dick Thomas’ “Sioux City Sue” and Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings.”
Pictures and records from original Louisiana Hayride artists were on display during the intermission.
The band has been active for almost five years and will continue touring with a Christmas-themed show in December. For more info, look up the Louisiana Hayride Show on Facebook.