Between 1948 and 1960, Louisiana Hayride was a radio (and later, a television) show that featured the best of country music.
The show launched the careers of some of the greatest names in country music including the rockabilly stylings of Elvis Presley.
Now the Louisiana Hayride is coming to Sidney as Gil and Lori Risling bring their version of the show to the Mary Winspear Centre.
“We have tributes to some of the greatest entertainers that ever stepped on a stage,” said Gil Risling, the creator of the popular tribute show that has played in a multitude of venues right across Western Canada for the past nine years.
“You’ll see, not only Elvis, but Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Roger Miller, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Buck Owens and more. You really can’t get much better than that.”
Risling explained that show is a return to the traditional musical basics.
“It used to be that [the artist’s] voice was the main thing you came to hear. Then there was the instrumental accompaniment, and it was all presented at a volume that engaged the audience without blowing them away with blasted sound,” he said.
“That’s how we’ve patterned our show.”
Lori Risling narrates the show, giving the audience a bit of trivia about their favourite artists.
“It’s long been an audience favourite. They love hearing the history. A lot of it is quite surprising to them,” she explained.
The cast of multi-talented musicians includes Gil Risling on electric and acoustic guitar. He also provides amazing vocals when in character as Roy Orbison.
Andrea Anderson portrays Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle, and her newest character, Shania Twain provides a fascinating bridge between the music of the past and more contemporary country music.
William Brookfield plays the double keyboard, guitar and provides vocals, and thrills audiences with stellar recreation of songs by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Derek Pulliam adds stand-up bass, guitar and authentic vocals when he treats the audience to songs by classic country legends such as Lefty Frizzell and Bobby Bare.
Elvis tribute artist Vic De Sousa adds another dimension to the Louisiana Hayride Show and does a rendition of “That’s Alright Mama” that never fails to bring audiences to their feet.
“Once people have seen our show they keep on coming back,” laughed Gil. “We’ve played Salmon Arm 15 times over the years and some of the folks there have been to every show.”
For the Rislings, the Louisiana Hayride is a labour of love.
“We’re dedicated to bringing authentic music to you. The songs you hear will be true to the originals and I promise that you’ll be transported back to a time when music was meaningful, words were understood and the sound was pleasant.”
The Louisiana Hayride comes to the Mary Winspear Centre on Sept. 14 and tickets are available at the Mary Winspear Centre Box Office (250-656-0275) or on-line at marywinspear.ca.
