A live musical show will be transporting audience members back in time on Dec. 12 at the Bert Church Live Theatre.
“The Louisiana Hayride Show” will feature tribute artists, and a live band that will perform songs that will “bring you back in time to when songs were meaningful, the words were understood, and the sound was pleasant.”
Since its first production in 2010, the Saskatchewan based live musical performance show has toured across western Canada, bringing the music of legends like Elivis Presely, Buddy Holly, and Shania Twain to eager audiences.
“Anyone of any age who enjoys Christmas music will love this show,” said Lori Risling, who created and hosts the show. “There are a total of 32 songs in the show and 22 of them are Christmas songs.”
Andrea Anderson, Vic de Sousa, William Brookfield, Gil Risling, John Cunningham, and Marcus Braun perform in the show as music legends Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Crystal Gayle, and Shania Twain.
The show takes its inspiration from the live radio show that broadcasted from the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana from 1948 to 1960. The original Louisiana Hayride featured up and coming musical acts and established artists, and was often called the “cradle of the stars,” and the “Grand Ole Opry farm club,”according to explorelouisiana.com.
Aside from being broadcasted on the radio, the original Louisiana Hayride also drew a 3,000 audience on a regular basis, and is often credited with establishing the careers of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Indeed, it was at the conclusion of Presley’s last Hayride performance that the studio’s emcee said the now famous phrase, “Elvis has left the building.”
Risling said this show is heavily influenced by its historical predecessor.
“Our Louisiana Hayride Show pays tribute to this iconic institution and the artists and music of that era, along with a few modern artists influenced by the Hayride legends.”
For one night only, the Hayride will be held at the Bert Church Live Theatre in Airdrie before moving on with their tour, which will then stop in Red Deer on Dec. 14.
For ticket and performance information visit www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=5
