Pianist Ryan Stinson, of Ringgold, is practicing for his debut at the “Hee Haw” production at Alhambra Shrine in East Brainerd.More Info
The next Alhambra Shrine fundraiser is the Alhambra Shrine Circus being held Oct. 11-15 at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge. Proceeds benefit transporting area youth in need to burn units and to orthopedic units for treatment.
Throw on a pair of overalls and a straw hat and bring the family for a foot stomping good time at the Alhambra Shrine’s annual “Hee Haw” show. Laughs, country classics and old-time gospel will ensue as impersonators of Minnie Pearl, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and Kenny Rogers take the stage.
The show is Saturday, Sept. 24 starting at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The main musician, 26-year-old Ryan Stinson of Ringgold, is known as an expert pianist. Playing the piano since age 10, he often makes special guest appearances at the Country Tonite Theatre in the American Oldies Show in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and has released two CDs.
This will be his first performance as part of the local “Hee Haw” production.
“He does a variety of music,” said Charlotte Gooden, a member of the Alhambra Shrine Ladies Helping Hands which produces the event. “He can play from ‘Amazing Grace’ to Jerry Lee Lewis’ ‘Great Balls of Fire.’ He adapts himself to the need. In my opinion, talent is being able to adapt.”
Stinson will play songs featured on the original “Hee Haw” show, a popular country music and variety show that aired on television for more than 20 years. One of those songs, “Last Date” by Floyd Cramer, Stinson got the opportunity to play on the very piano that the late Cramer recorded the well-known song on in 1960, said Stinson’s grandfather and manager, Jimmy Terrell.
Stinson said Cramer had a unique style of piano playing that no other player has ever had and he hopes to introduce a new generation to that type of music.
This year’s fundraiser features another addition to such popular renditions by others – singer Mac Pendley, singer/Johnny Cash impersonator Will Sims, Billy Gaston portraying Marty Robbins, Janice Kelley as Minnie Pearl, new cast member guitarist/banjo player Ron Nichols and more.
Also new in the show is Sonya O’Neal paying tribute to LeAnn Rimes. O’Neal has performed onstage before and teaches drama to children and adults. She plays piano and organ.
The fundraiser will enable the Alhambra Shrine Ladies Helping Hands to continue presenting scholarships to Shriners Hospital patients.
Tickets cost $10 each. A dinner of beans and cornbread will be served at 6 p.m. for an additional $2.50 each.
The Alhambra Shrine Temple is located at 1000 Alhambra Drive. For more information, call 875-9736.
Email Katie Ward at kward@timesfreepress.com.