THURSDAY NIGHT REHEARSAL CREATES A STORM

The cast and crew again hit the stage at Roane State again Thursday evening to rehearse.

Outside the rain pattered and the thunder boomed, but inside it was “hit your mark”, “step into the microphone”, “pull the center riser”, and “lights”! Michael Golebiewski directs the “Appalachian Dreams” rehearsal with heavy attention to detail. Tonight he got a unique perspective on the job Bill Landry has on stage. Bill was out for the evening and Michael filled that gap too!

New to the rehearsal stage were the “Lantana Drifters”. You’ve read about them here before, but this was the first time we got to meet and watch the full band. Yes, they are a “pick’n grin” band too, but with more of a mountain flavor and “buck dancing” to boot! What a show it will be Saturday evening!

Elizabeth Rose was back Thursday too, but this time with a more tailored story for us. It is wonderful how quickly she can grab your imagination and hold it until the punch line! I can’t wait for you to hear her!

There is only one more rehearsal night and then it’s “Break a leg, and on with the show!” This means you only have one more day to find a ticket!

On the way back through town, I noticed that someone left the lights on the marquee of the Princess. So, I just had to take advantage of the wet street to get a night shot! Thanks…whoever.  You can buy this photo HERE!

Be sure to click on the photos to enlarge them!

See you there!

EDD AND AUDINE WEBB - BRINGING THE "LANTANA DRIFTERS" TO THE MAY 16TH SHOW

I spent Tuesday with Bill Landry, his Roane State Media Production class, Michael Golebiewski, and Brooks Benjamin down Lantana Road out of Crossville, Tennessee. To tell the truth, I haven’t spent a more pleasant day in some time. We all were in the company of “old-time string band” legends Audine and Ed Webb, who are the heart of one of the most dynamic and most requested bands in the central South, the “Lantana Drifters”!

Remember how folks used to make you feel at home and made you feel like they were actually glad you had come? That’s exactly how we all felt the entire afternoon Tuesday. We strolled the yard with either Edd (as Audine spells it), as he proudly showed off his 100 acre farm, or with Audine, as she pointed out years of hard work in building her rock and flower collections. They are “salt of the earth” people who would give you the shirts off their backs. They greeted us with cookies, crackers, chips, and cold bottles of water and insisted we take some for the road as we left.

Edd and Audine will be joined by the complete band at the May 16^th “Appalachian Dreams” show. The talent will include master fiddler Charlie Acuff, cousin to Roy, live on stage! Charlie has been with the “Drifters” for around 15 years. Their “string band”, an ensemble of musicians playing mostly stringed instruments, will be accompanied by Audine on her washboard, and Ed will most certainly show off his spoon playing and his “flat shoe” dancing. Even at 85, Ed can still out dance younger enthusiasts, and is a “flat shoe dancing idol” to others.

Audine and Ed are examples of what America used to be…self-sustaining and hard working people. “If it’s daylight, we’ll be outside doing something,” Ed said, proudly pointing out the load of hardwood he and Audine had cut and split the day before down in the woods. “We built all these buildings…that barn over 40 year ago! When it gets too dark to work, we come in and play music!”

I listened amazed as Bill Landry interviewed the two “young” folks, listening to their experiences, the people they had met, and places they had been. I was also deeply touched by how they still enjoyed each other’s company and how they enjoyed playing and dancing for the video camera. I can hardly wait for you to see this video and see how much life, fun, and love is still in this couple. They’ve been married for nearly 63 years, and still held hands Tuesday as they out walked us up across their field to the top of a hill overlooking their beautiful lake.

Please come join us on May 16^th, 2PM and 7PM, at the Roane State Theater. I guarantee you’ll go away with a deep sense of pride in our area’s history, patriotism, and diverse talent. All proceeds go to the restoration of the Princess Theater.

For more photos CLICK HERE.