The Boomtown Opry will return to the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 13, bringing another round of entertainment to the local area.
Known as a Branson, Missouri-style variety show featuring live music, comedy, dancing and other family-friendly entertainment, the Boomtown Opry began presenting monthly shows in the area in May.
The Boomtown Opry features a house band led by BJ Kyle, who has toured professionally with Colt Ford, Craig Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Kellie Pickler and others. Local actor/ singer Steve Harrell is the emcee and local country duo Southern Koast (Keith Owens and Susan Tolin) provide background vocals.
The Oct. 13 show will feature Gene King and Heather Ponce, Gene Stewart, Anna Brinker, Annalee Purdie, Jade Kelly and the comedy of Mike Means and Charley Hankins.
King was the band leader for Grammy Award-winning artist Jody Miller for many years and holds a monthly show of his own in Winnsboro, Louisiana, called the Franklin Opry.
Stewart recorded several albums from the early ’70s and throughout the ’80s, and was the first country artist to record the popular song, “Rub It In.” Stewart’s recording of the song was a regional hit for two years before a recording by Billy “Crash” Craddock made it a national hit.
Brinker is a singer/songwriter from Stuttgart who has a new song called “The Possum” about the country legend George Jones.
Purdie is a classic country music singer with a touch of jazz and blues thrown in and Kelly is a singer/songwriter from the Longview, Texas, area with a new video called “Lovesick.”
Means and Hankins are members of the local improv comedy troupe Gimme A Second.
Any aspiring singers may audition for future shows before rehearsals on show day around 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 at the door of the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. The Boomtown Opry is a family-friendly event with no alcohol sold during the show.
The Boomtown Opry is partnering with the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club, with a portion of show proceeds benefiting the club. In return, the club provides volunteers to staff each show.
For more information on the Boomtown Opry, follow their Facebook page at facebook.com/BoomtownOpry.