SHINDIG SHOW

By
Minda Painter

The Saturday night show on July 19 at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas was an entertainment extravaganza in its purest sense. The audience got their fill of traditional country music. There was also a mix of rock n’roll and blue grass. Interestingly, during the second half of the show, the selected songs gravitated to a more gospel flavor.

Guest performer, Devon Walden, (L) is a young and talented lad from Celeste who played his guitar and banjo during his performance. With his youthful charm, warm smile and a wonderful singing style, he captivated the audience as he made his presentation. His selection of songs started out with a rock tune, “That’s All Right Mama”, then gravitated to an old country “Crying My Heart Over You” by Ricky Skaggs, to a bluegrass song, “This Weary Heart”, and finally, to a gospel tune “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, which he performed in a bluegrass style. With such a performance, he earned the thunderous applause from the audience.

Bill Templeman, (below-R) from Terrell, made an impressive delivery of songs popularized by Randy Travis and Merle Haggard. He ended his act with an old southern gospel tune, “Life’s Railway to Heaven”.

Danny Calk was also inspired to perform a song he wrote, a wonderful song, “Behind Closed Doors”. Singing the song “Who’s Gonna Play This Ole Piano” by Jerry Lee Lewis is a profound thought for Calk but he will definitely keep playing.

First time to get on the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre stage is a local business woman who got started with songwriting in recent years. Sue Carmichael, (below L) owner/operator of Sue’s Beauty Shop in Point, has written several gospel songs. Gospel singer Steve Couch, from Emory, won the “Male Vocalist” Award for Carmichael ’s original song, “Wait For Me” in 2002 at the Brotherly Love Texas Gospel Show. From her performance of her two originals songs, “I Was Too Busy” and “I Don’t Want To Be Left Alone”, it showed that the songs were vivid reflection of her heart.

The “Rockin’ and a Rollin” was kicked off by Geary Cason. However, when he performed his signature song, “The Lighthouse”, the rousing approval from the audience came, not only with a roaring applause, but also a tip-hat bursting at the seams.

For country music singing, Norman Cason is the man to deliver it the country way. One of the songs he performed was a Hank Williams III selection, “Lonesome For You”. For his superb performance, one of his avid fans, Joy Wilson of Terrell, placed a can of “Fix-A-Flat” in the tip hat. Apparently, while driving to the Wilson’s annual 4th of July celebration this year, two of Norman’s car tires went flat, and he appreciated the unusual item left in the tip hat.

With such a variety of music presented, the entertainment provided by the Shindig Show delightfully satisfied the crowd, most especially several newcomers to the theater who were regulars at the other oprys.