Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Country's Family Reunion - ON SALE NOW!


The University of Illinois Springfield – Sangamon Auditorium will be the setting for a live theatre presentation on September 17 utilizing the format of the highly-rated RFD-TV program known as “Country’s Family Reunion.” Show host Bill Anderson will be joined by Grand Ole Opry stars Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius and Mary Lou Turner.

The stage set for this show appears to be someone’s living room, with all the artists sharing personal stories and singing their hits, backed by Bill Anderson’s PO Folks Band. All the artists stay on stage together in this informal setting throughout the show, often joining in on each other’s songs. Some of the audience members will get an opportunity to participate with questions for the stars to answer. This two-hour presentation is designed as a live show and will not be taped for television.

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson serves as host of the show, just as he does on the TV program. “My job is to ask the right questions and get the best stories from my friends on stage,” said Anderson. “And, of course, we always enjoy singing our hits.”

“We have had numerous requests from fans to bring this show out on the road,” said Larry Black, creator and producer of Country’s Family Reunion, “We are happy that we have such an ideal venue in Springfield at Sangamon Auditorium. It is such an intimate setting with seating so close to the stage. The audience will feel very much a part of the reunion with these wonderful artists.”

“The final decision to tour a live show version of CFR in venues throughout the country was reached this past November,” states veteran promoter Joe Sullivan, “after a test run in Branson proved to be hugely successful at RFD-TV the Theatre. We had two sold-out shows with 4,000 fans coming from as far away as Oregon, Vermont, Florida, California and numerous places in between.”

The Country’s Family Reunion television program can be seen on RFD-TV at 7:00 p.m. Central Time every Friday evening. RFD-TV is a national tour sponsor for Country’s Family Reunion Road Show.

Country’s Family Reunion Road Show is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2010, one show only at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Prices range from $32.00 to $47.00 and are available at www.SangamonAuditorium.org or call the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office at 217-206-6160 or 800-207-6960.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Former ‘Idol’ Hicks just happy to be a working musician


Remember Taylor Hicks, the season-five winner of “American Idol”? You know, the one with the gray hair?

Right, that guy. Because he never achieved the mega-stardom some of his fellow former "Idols" have, you might be tempted to lump him in with the Where Are They Now set, but that would be unfair and — more importantly — just plain wrong.

. . .

Article by Brian Mackey
The State Journal-Register

Click here to read the full article



Get your tickets for Taylor Hicks' performance at Sangamon Auditorium on Tuesday, August 10. Call 217.206.6160 or visit www.sangamonauditorium.org.