by Morinville News Staff
It’s been 66 years since the Louisiana Hayride musical variety show was performed at the Shreveport, Louisiana Municipal Auditorium and broadcast live over KWKH Radio. Best known for giving unknown artists like Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, Faron Young and Elvis Presley a showcase and a start, the program is long gone. But the sense and excitement of that Louisiana Hayride show comes back to life Nov. 7 when the Louisiana Hayride Tribute Show hits the stage at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.
Organizers are planning to take the audience back in time to experience what was one of the most influential shows in music history. The Louisiana Hayride cast will recreate the music, look and superstardom of Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Pattsy Cline, Roy Orbison and other past country greats as well as more contemporary performers, including Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell.
Woven throughout the tribute songs are tidbits of information, presented by Lori Risling, host and creator of the show. The cast of multi-talented musicians include William Brookfield on double keyboard, guitar, banjo and vocals. Brookfield recreates the songs of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Waylon Jennings. Mike Melnichuk adds stand-up bass, electric guitar and vocals to perform as Faron Young, Red Foley and Merle Haggard. Gil Risling adds electric and acoustic guitar, and vocals as Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison. Additionally, Andrea Anderson will perform as Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette.
“People love this type of music and they love the stories we tell,” said performer Gil Risling, adding the show has been growing in popularity since its inception almost five years ago “The word is out there. We have people booking their holidays so they can travel to see our show again. It’s incredible.”
Tickets for Louisiana Hayride are $35 perperson and available at The Morinville Community Cultural Centre box office (780-939-4361) or online at www.ticketseller.ca (Toll free 1-866-311-1011.)
