Imagine it if you can: Rider's Radio Theater tapings even more special than usual. Boggles the mind, doesn't it? The crowd at the Emery on February 17 and 18 included fans from all over the state, country, even all over the continent, including folks from Nashville, Columbus, Alvaton, and even as far away as California and Canada. Of course, we witnessed the "usual" madness and mayhem (a flying doofus, an alligator named Alice, underwater yodeling, tidal waves, a close encounter between a sheriff and the Grim Reaper, a case of mercury poisoning, pirates, 9-foot-high grand pianos floating on barges in the middle of the Everglades, Sachmo, and Choen the Barbarian), and a while lot more (like the incredible theater organ concert on the mighty Wurlitzer before and after the show by Jim Barton, organist deluxe; everyone should get to the Emery at least once to hear Jim play. You haven't lived until you've heard the Riders' Radio Theater Theme played on the Wurlitzer. Jim's usually there on Tuesday night.
Once again, polkaholics were in heaven as they heard some outstanding instrumentals from the CowPolka King. Tuesday night he hit the heights singing the "Barroom Polka," then he showed us how low he could go on "Cool Water"the delivery is everything. Long live the King!
Monday night's special guest was Charlie McCoy. In addition to hit records of his own, Charlie is a well-known, highly respected, extraordinarily talented session musician. Check the credits on your albums and CDs; chances are you'll find his name there. He plays more different instruments than I can count. On Monday night, he chose to play the harmonica, and he gave me new respect for that seemingly simple little instrument. I've heard many people play the "Orange Blossom Special" on the harmonica, but I've never heard it played like Charlie McCoy played it. He had a little competition, though; Sidemeat challenged him to a harmonica duel. Who won? Well, I'll just say that Sidemeat's repertoire is somewhat more limited than Charlie's and leave it at that.
On Tuesday evening, we not only got the warm-up, half-time, and theater organ concert, we also watched Lonesome Larry Ashcraft put the Riders on the spot, not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times (fource?). That's the number of unrehearsed (well, actually, unwritten) promo spots for the upcoming WVXU fund-raising battle with Columbus' public radio station he asked them to tape. There's always a special little something at the Emery!
Speaking of something extra special, Tuesday night's special guest is truly a legend. As an admirer of his since, well, I won't admit that I was around and listening to records that long agoI still can't believe I was in the same theater with Floyd Cramer. The 9-foot grand looked a tad out of place among the cowboys, cacti, buffaloes, and dead equine humorists, but nobody noticed the surroundings as he played. Without a doubt, the highlight for me was the medley of Hank Williams' tunes he played (I've been listening to Hank even longer than I've been listening to Floyd). And the crowd was with him every step of the way. If it wouldn't have interfered with the taping of the show, I'm certain he would have had a standing ovation. As it is, he had several curtain calls. We'll remember that night for a long time!
Until next time, so long saddlepals! It's been so good to see ya...
donna j
Every day...the Cowboy Way!
All material ©1991-2013 by donna j.
