News at the Ritz
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The Ritz Civic Center (Theater), 306 W. Main
Street, Blytheville, home of The Arts Council of Mississippi County, is proud to
announce the addition of a historically appropriate marquee which will be
lighted for the first time on Saturday, January 24 at 6:00pm, followed by a
reception in the lobby and then "The Johnny Tolley Ole' Time Variety Show". Both
events are free and open to the public.
At
the lighting, those contributing to this project will be recognized. In
addition to The Arts Council of Mississippi County, they include the efforts of
Main Street Blytheville, Main Street Arkansas, Temps Plus Staffing (Peggy Lemons), The Blytheville/Gosnell
Area Chamber of Commerce, Hinson Display Signs and
The city of Blytheville
Hometown boy Johnny
Tolley will be on hand to host a fund raising event on behalf of The Arts
Council of Mississippi County. The program is called “The Johnny Tolley ‘Ole
Time Variety Show” and will include several family-friendly acts including song,
dance and comedy. There is no set admission cost, but donations for The Arts
Council are encouraged.
Johnny began
his singing career with a high school band in Blytheville, and was singing
professionally at the age of sixteen. After college he performed several years
on the Holiday Inn circuit, playing in states such as Arkansas, Texas and
Tennessee as well as doing opening concerts for George Strait, Hank Williams, Jr., Marty Robbins, Jerry Reed and Jerry Clower.
Clower’s request for Johnny to be his opening act was a turning point in his career. He began
working as comedian Jerry Clower's opening act & this led to television
appearances on The Porter Wagoner Show, The Wilburn Brothers Show,
Country Place & others.
He soon
recorded his first single & album, titled, "If This Is Our Last Time" which
received good radio play in markets throughout the country. His video for the
song was featured on CMT, GAC, & COUNTRYCLIPS in Nashville. His latest album,
"You'd Think I'd Get This Bridge To Burn" is currently in stores & radio
markets. He appears weekly at The Loveless Cafe in Nashville & works consistently
performing show dates on the road.
Joining Johnny
for the Saturday show will be the variety of talents of The ACT 2! Improv Comedy
Group (Ken Jackson, Sarah Jackson, Carol Walls, Tim Stone, and Aaron FitzPatrick), Charles Moody,
Lisa Askew and Rosaline Bailey, Kennedy Woodall, David Lyttle, Chuck Wilder, BJ Wilkerson, Donna
Duncan and Lavella McWilliams. Also appearing are
Daley Johnson
(Lights of the Delta Outstanding Teen)
Shaylee Lawhon
(Northeast Arkansas Outstanding Teen)
and Mackenzie Hull
(Miss Lights of the Delta) For
information, The Arts Council of Mississippi County at The Ritz can be reached
by calling (870)762-1744, by sending an e-mail to artsmissco@yahoo.com or visit their new website at
http://www.artsmissco.com.jpg)
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