The Boomtown Opry will return to the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium on Feb. 9 with its gospel edition.
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 show, which starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 9, will feature The Talleys, Joel Woollen, Terry Lyne Moore, Cliff Preston, Southern Koast and Sister Lucille.
The Talleys began in 1984 and have enjoyed many years of success, including a Dove Award and numerous Singing News Fan Awards. Following a three-year hiatus, the Talleys began performing together in 1996 with the current lineup of Roger, wife Debra and daughter Lauren, and they remain a mainstay of Christian music. The Talleys have enjoyed 11 No. 1 songs and have received numerous Singing News Fan Awards and Dove Award nominations. They are frequently recognized for their appearances on the Gaither Homecoming video series and concert tour, as well as In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley and John Hagee Ministries. They have appeared on RFD-TV’s “The Music City Show,” and have toured overseas to Norway, Northern Ireland, Italy and South Africa.
Joel Woollen is an artist with deep roots in southern gospel music. His debut self-titled album was released in January 2004., with nine of the 10 songs penned by Woollen himself. From this project there have been two nationwide single releases which have received great response from southern gospel radio.
Singer/songwriter Cliff Preston has been traveling across the country for the last 13 years singing songs about a Savior that changed his life. He signed his first recording contract in 2007. After living in Nashville, Tennessee, Preston moved his base back home to Smackover. The Christian group “Newsong” used a song that Preston wrote on their album entitled, “Swallow the Ocean.” Preston also has a brand new single entitled “No Such Thing” that is on the soundtrack of the movie “Confessions of a Prodigal Son” starring Kevin Sorbo.
Terry Lyne Moore, formerly from Smackover, has opened for well-known artists such as BJ Thomas, Diamond Rio, Patty Loveless and Brooks and Dunn. She continues to sing on a regular basis at many of the country music Oprys and Hayrides around the central Texas area and south Arkansas.
Sister Lucille is a standup comedian known for her quick wit and awesomely funny clean comedy. She is a combination of the Rev. Ike and Don Rickles and has lovingly been dubbed “The Mississippi Delta’s First Lady of Comedy.”
Southern Koast, made up of Keith Owens and Susan Tolin, are regular performers and show producers of the Boomtown Opry and have just recently released their second gospel CD titled “Glory.”
Any aspiring singers may audition for future shows before rehearsals on show day around 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 at the door of the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. Tickets are also available on itickets.com and at Martha’s on the Square, 3in1 Designs Christian Bookstore in El Dorado, Blackmon’s Furniture in El Dorado and Camden, and Magnolia Blossom Florist and Warnock’s Furniture in Magnolia. 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.