Dr. Eric Littleton, Muse Watson, Phil Williams, And Jay Adams At The Princess Theatre

Out on Roane Street everything was ready for a Christmas celebration.  Music played from the street speakers, and even store windows were decorated (Adkission's Flowers and Gifts got my vote for the best), and Carol Farmer was at the ready in the Princess ticket booth.

Darkness comes early this time of year, and by 5PM the Princess lights beckoned folks to stop and come in awhile.  Inside, the multiple Christmas trees and other decorations put everyone in a festive mood.

The stage was decorated and setup for the performers, the sound was checked, and the lighting was tested.  The "Max Woody" rocker was in place and the lineup was taped to the floor!

Backstage the evening's artist nervously talked and prepared themselves to perform their best.

Chris Mason introduced local radio talk-show host Phil Williams, of 98.7 FM, who set the tone for the evening.  Jokes came quick from the hip and the familiar voice had them rolling in the aisles!

Dr. Eric Littleton came on stage to a great round of applause and began playing the Christmas favorites to his own arrangements.  These arrangements often blended two or more songs with similar melodies, or it might be "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!  A tune that Phil Williams confessed he hated to get requests for, but Dr. Littleton makes everything sound so much better...besides, there were no crazy lyrics!

We also learned that Phil Williams is not just another pretty faced DJ!  No sir!  The boy can pick a lick or two!  However, he first sat down and pretended to take Littleton's place at the piano.  After a few finger picking keys, he rose and left the stage, which brought the house down.

Back on stage, Williams took up his guitar and picked and grinned awhile, getting the audience to join in loudly, so as to make themselves heard out on Roane Street!  Everyone had a ball.

Phil then introduced actor Muse Watson, in his best "Mike Franks" voice and Muse and the children took the stage.  Muse read to the attentive children from "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.

Muse told the audience that "this", pointing to the children, is what the Princess dream was all about.  We have to get our children more involved here at the Princess!

 

Jay Adams, of 105.5 FM,  was also a surprise...he too can pick a tune or two, and usually one that he wrote!  Funny is also his game, mixing it up on the "Redneck/Redcoat" morning show!  

At the expense of Dr. Littleton, who grew up in Harriman and played football, Adams put on his sportscaster hat and earphones, and with the help of an old teammate of Littleton's, began to dig into the funny stories of old Harriman football games starring Littleton!  It was all in great fun and Dr. Littleton enjoyed it more than anyone.

Caleb Littleton joined his father on stage for "Little Drummer Boy".

Dr. Eric took the fun a little further by returning to the stage after intermission wearing his old Harriman High letterman jacket!  Old number 81 was back before the home crowd and everyone loved it!  He played the next set wearing the jacket, which he couldn't button by the way, proudly!

While up in the balcony, I noticed that several supporters have begun buying a seat, complete with name tag, like the one above.  You could have one too, just fill out this form and turn it in at the Princess!

Some left immediately after the show, but most stayed for autographs and CDs.  Caleb handed out his dad's CDs, and Muse signed photos and shook lots of hands.

I left about then, took a parting photo of my Princess, and walked down the street to enjoy the window displays.  

This is something I hadn't seen a lot of in Harriman since I was a boy.  Adkisson seems to be bringing back the tradition, and I'm so glad.  Take your kids downtown and start building a tradition for them!

Oh yes, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

THE BABAHATCHIE COMMUNITY BAND PLAYS THE PRINCESS

Outside it was cold, the Christmas Parade had just pasted, and many came in to join those fans that came only to see Babahatchie Community Band play its annual Christmas Concert at the Princess!

My excuse for not going was my old legs and back, and the fact I was on them all day!  Not much of an excuse when you consider there were many there older than me, but it is what it is.

Mayor Chris Mason sent me some iPhone shots, and I thought this one was the most worthy!
 

The band is always great, there is no question, so I'll be there when I can.

Harriman Christmas Parade And Babahatchie Band Concert At The Princess

The Harriman Christmas Parade starts at 7pm, Monday, December 16th, and directly following is a free Babahatchie Band concert in the Princess at 8pm.  The parking lot behind Adkissons will be reserved for band members and those attending the concert.  There will be a golf cart shuttling people from that lot to the theatre.

Lots going on, so get out there and celebrate the holiday season!

COME TO SATURDAY'S "HISTORIC HARRIMAN CHRISTMAS TOUR"!

The Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization holds its 23rd annual "Historic Harriman Christmas Tour" this coming Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 14-15).

For the 16th consecutive year, the group will make available a commemorative Christmas ornament, and this year the ornament features the vintage Kiwanis Welcome Pillars!

Last year's ornament, featuring the "old Emory River Bridge" is also available.  Ornaments available at the Red Door Antiquities shop on Roane Street, Harriman, TN.

The "Christmas Tour" begins this coming Saturday:

Saturday, December 14, 12 - 6 pm

Sunday, December 15, 1 - 6 pm

Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 children under 12

Sponsored by the Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization

Tour decorated Victorian homes & historical buildings (see old photos from a past tour HERE).  Visit the 100-year old Carnegie Library. For more information visit their website or the Roane County Visitor's Bureau at 376-4201.

The Arts Council of Roane County is doing a show in the Annex Bldg. on Sat and Sunday.

Tickets are available for purchase now at the following Harriman locations: 

Rocky Top General Store, 316 Ruritan Rd 

Red Door Antiquities, 505 N. Roane St

Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour at the following location: 

Harriman's Carnegie Library, 601 Walden St.

For more information about tickets or the tour visit www.cornstalkheights.com or call Diana Knobloch at 882-1472 or Nancy Jacoby at 230-7769

Dr. Eric Littleton Again Brings Christmas To The Princess

Dr. Eric Littleton returns to the Princess again this Christmas Season, to put us in the Holiday spirit!  And, actor Muse Watson will again join him on stage!

The emcees for the Princess Theatre Foundation event are Phil Williams of WOKI (98.7) and Jay Adams of WSEV (105.5).

The doors open at 7PM, Friday, December 20th.

Tickets are available at Rocky Top General Store, the Harriman Jewelry Exchange, or online at www.ERICLITTLETON.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.com. OR, you can buy them at the ticket booth just prior to the show.

If you weren't there last year, or have forgotten the great evening of Christmas Classics, click HERE to see the Princess blog post!

Clogging At The Princess This Saturday!

Erica Lane Preforms To An Intimate Crowd

Outside, the Princess cast a welcoming white light across Roane Street, and to attract more attention, she lit up her tall face in shades of red, purple, blue, and white, but inside it was evident that most passersby simply continued on their way!  Have we forgotten how much we wanted her, how hard we worked for her?

We have to do better than this folks!  The fight for the dream continues everyday.  If we fail to support even the seemingly smallest of events, we will lose her again.  

Please, PLEASE, bookmark this website, the RSCC website, and the various Princess, Harriman, and Roane County Facebook pages for upcoming attractions.

The most expensive show yet were the $30 premium tickets for Marshall Tucker.  Most tickets are from $5 to $15, with some shows sponsored by RSCC absolutely FREE!

So, I'll quit preaching and get back to what happened inside the Princess Saturday evening, and it was good!

Erica Lane (Saylors) again brought her Christmas musical concert to Harriman and graced the Princess stage.  Even though there were barely over 200 people present, she performed as if it was to a live national audience.  I was personally embarrassed at the turnout!  Was that the best we can do? (TO SEE LAST YEAR'S REVIEW CLICK HERE!)

Anyway, her voice, backed by Rachel Mann and American Idol finalist, Johnny Keyser gave the great Princess acoustics a work out!  She sang all of the Christmas favorites, plus a few of her own songs.  

She made all the old favorites new and exciting with her stunning and silky vocals.  Erica is a prolific songwriter, and has toured internationally, starred in a reality TV series “Inspired Ambition,” and is featured on nearly a dozen film soundtracks.  Her album “A Merry Little Christmas” received glowing reviews and was selected as the Classic Christmas Standout by OnCourse Magazine.

Here are a few more photos from last evening's show.  Note, the fog machine was on high, so the photos suffered accordingly.

 

I apologize for the chastising, but you know I care about the Princess, and Harriman.  If it never meets the expectation of "the dream", then we can only blame ourselves for none support.  And, please pass on news about upcoming events.  If you can't make it, maybe your neighbor can.  Thanks!