Inside the Radio Hour
Augusta Free Press LLC was at the November installment of the Wayne Theatre Alliance’s River City Radio Hour at the Gateway Theatre in Downtown Waynesboro.
If you missed this month’s Radio Hour, you missed Richard Adams and The Boogie Kings, Hank Fitzgerald, comedian Irv Beadles and the River City Players finishing out another installment in the Night Hawk mystery series.
AFP gives you a taste of the Radio Hour.
Hank Fitzgerald, SunnySide featured at tonight’s Radio Hour
The November River City Radio Hour will complete the Night Hawk serial in style with performances by the Sunny Side Family Band and singer Hank Fitzgerald. The November Radio Hour is at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight at the Gateway in Downtown Waynesboro.
A native of Waynesboro, singer and actor Hank Fitzgerald has been performing in professional and regional theater for over 20 years. He attended Shenandoah University and performed five seasons in their professional company, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Hank went on to portray the role of Aladdin in the Disney Cruise Line show, Magic Journeys and appeared in numerous shows at the acclaimed Alhambra Dinner Theater in Jacksonville, Fla.
SunnySide began in September 2007, playing their first gig at Humpback Rocks Old Settlers Museum on the Blue Ridge Parkway. They spent the summer and fall of 2011 playing at Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland Resort. Their passions and dedication to the old-time mountain music is evident in the harmony of beautiful sound the trio produces. They do more than just play their acoustic instruments and sing words. They strum each note with the heart of the natives; they sing each story through the eyes of its past, and they live each moment through the spirit of the mountains. As their fans say, “SunnySide brings the mountain sound to your ears.”
Bob Crawford’s latest serial, Night Hawk and Murder down on the Farm, will finish its mayhem at the November Radio Hour. While Night Hawk (Bob Lunger), the self-anointed detective, investigated the murder of the farm worker, he found himself thrown in with a gigantic bull, driven into a pond full of snapping turtles, and menaced by the brawny brothers of his latest romance interest. In the surprising conclusion of the serial, Night Hawk discovers the real story of Murder down on the Farm.
The November Radio Hour also features the ever-popular Boogie Kings led by Richard Adams with William Hayes and J. T. Fauber. Back from the farm, the country count of comedy Irv Beadles will serve up a new set of jokes.
The merchant of the month is Jeff Grosfeld of Ann Arden and Under the Roof Furnishing.
Tickets for the Radio Hour are $10 and are available online at www.WaynesboroGateway.com or at the box office.
Emma Leigh to join lineup for River City Radio Hour
The anniversary performance of the Radio Hour will feature Emma Leigh and the River City Boys at the Friday, Oct. 21 performances at the Gateway. Joining them will be the Boogie Kings, Marsha Howard and Chapter Tree of Night Hawk and Murder Down on the Farm by Bob Crawford.
The River City Boys will have their premiere performance on the Radio Hour.
Emma Leigh (aka. Emily Henline) will return to the Radio Hour. She was previously billed as “the Little Girl with the Big Voice” and is now the young lady with the great voice. And one might add with a new professional name. At 14 years old, Emma has already built a career as a vocalist on WHSV-TV’s “Virginia Dreams CenterStage”, a regional TV show that promotes local talent in the Shenandoah Valley.
The ever-popular Boogie Kings under the direction of the multi-talented Richard Adams will once again perform as the studio band. William Hayes with his amazing keyboard skills and J. T. Fauber on percussion complete the trio.
Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard, has been collecting jokes from her fans. “Unfortunately,” she said, “I cannot tell them in public.” Hear what she can tell at the October performances.
Bob Lunger returns as the Night Hawk in the third chapter of Night Hawk and Murder Down on the Farm. In the last chapter, the Night Hawk was forced off the road and into the farm’s pond with no rescue in sight.
The guest of the month will be Janet Harvey, Executive Director of the Waynesboro Area Learning Tree.
Tickets for the Radio Hour are $10. Food and beverages will be available. Reservations are available online at
www.waynesborogateway.com. Patrons can also call toll free 877-840-0457.
Elvis has entered the building for Radio Hour
Elvis has been sighted and will becoming back to The River City Radio Hour for the Friday, Sept. 16 performances at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. Also featured will be the Boogie Kings, Marsha Howard, Llyn Walker, and Chapter Two of Night Hawk and Murder Down On the Farm by Bob Crawford.
Elvis has been absent from the Radio Hour since August 2010. Audiences have been clamoring for his return. Fortunately, the Radio Hour caught sight of the absent singer and asked him to do a guest appearance at the September Radio Hour. Since Elvis is a fan of the Night Hawk series, he agreed to give his talent to the performances
Also on the bill are the Boogie Kings under the direction of the multi-talented Richard Adams. William Hayes with his amazing keyboard skills and J. T. Fauber on percussion complete the trio.
Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard, said “I watched the last Gateway Comedy Night and think I might just go on the road too.” Catch her before she decides to take on her own national tour.
Completing the evening will be jazz vocalist, Llyn Walker. Llyn gives Richard Adams a run for his money in the multi-talented arena. She will also join the River City Players for the second chapter of Night Hawk and Murder Down on the Farm. In the last chapter, the Night Hawk was trapped in the bull ring with a charging beast. No help was in sight.
The guest of the month will be Carmel Clavin of the Fall Foliage Art Show.
Tickets for the Radio Hour are $10. Food and beverages will be available. Reservations are available online at
www.waynesborogateway.com. Patrons can also call toll free 877-840-0457.
Radio Hour returns for fifth season
The River City Radio Hour returns to WTA’s Gateway for its first production of the fifth Season on August 19. The 6:30 and 8:00 pm performances will the Boogie Kings, Marsha Howard, Fritz Horst, and Chapter One of the new Night Hawk serial: Night Hawk and Murder Down On the Farm by Bob Crawford.
The River City Radio Hour began as a project of the Waynesboro Cultural Commission and the Wayne Theatre Alliance in early 2007. Clair Myers, Executive Director of the Wayne Theatre Alliance, talked local musician/composer Richard Adams into exploring old time radio. Together they created the River City Radio Hour with its trademark combination of music, comedy, and drama. On the third Friday of October 2007, the River City Radio Hour began its successful run.
Returning are the long standing favorites of the Radio Hour audience, the Boogie Kings under the direction of the multi-talented Richard Adams. William Hayes with his amazing keyboard skills and Sam Brown on percussion complete the trio.
Also returning to the Radio Hour will be Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard. “Just when I think I’ve exhausted my supply of “funnies,” said Marsha, “I hear a new batch and can’t wait to share them at RCRH. ” She added, “I think Radio Hour and the WTA’s Gateway has just begun to tap into the treasure-trove of talent in this area.”
Fritz and Peggy Horisk will bring their “Vintage Acoustic Pop” to the August Radio Hour. With Peggy’s distinctive voice and Fritz’s prowess on acoustic guitar, the duo brings a stage presence that will have impressed the Radio Hour audience. Their wide musical repertoire ranges from the 1920’s to the present.
The guest of the month will be Terry Short of the WDDI’s Chili Blues Festival.
Tickets for the Radio Hour are $8. Food and beverages will be available. Reservations are available on line at www.waynesborogateway.com. Patrons can also call toll free 877-840-0457.
Radio Hour ends season on a high note
The Friday, June 17 Radio Hour will present a trio of singers for its 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows at 329 W. Main St. in Downtown Waynesboro. Duffy, Llyn Walker, and Gwynne Wood will join with the Boogie Kings to provide a musical finale to the Radio Hour’s fourth season.
Gwynne Wood is a young talent who is blessed with a pure vocal tone and a grasp of musical styles well beyond her years. Her last local appearance was in the Waynesboro Players’ production of A Little Night Music.
Llyn Walker, a favorite Radio Hour performer, can effortlessly slip from jazz to pop to blues.. Llyn is also an actor in many of the Radio Hour serials. Completing the trio is folksinger and songwriter, Duffy. A frequent performer on the Radio Hour, Duffy’s unique perspective on the world gives his songs a special insight.
Richard Adams and The Boogie King complete the musical segments of the Radio Hour with William Hayes on keyboard and Sam Brown on percussion.
Marsha Howard, Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, will celebrate the finale with a set of new jokes promised to bring laughter to the end of the season..
The River City Players will present The Adventures of Flushing Potter. The new comedy will introduce a new set of characters to the Radio Hour’s line up of local eccentrics. Potter will join the Hens of Renown and Olivia Raw Frock in the Radio Hour’s Pantheon.
Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540-943-9999 to make a reservation.
The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Marvelous Murphy Sisters, Shenandoah Moon highlight Radio Hour
The Marvelous Murphy Sisters will return to The River City Radio Hour for tonight’s performances.
The Radio Hour audiences were delighted with the Sisters’ first appearance at the November Radio Hour and asked that they do a reprise as soon as possible. Sally and Molly Murphy are members of the popular Judy Chops, known for the band’s innovative style combining folk, country, rock, and bluegrass. In November, the sisters took a turn to the “Swing” side with backup from the Boogie Kings. The February performances may reveal another side of the very talented duo.
Also on the program is a selection of songs composed by Richard Adams for the musical Shenandoah Moon, written by Barbara Lawson, Beth Massie and Duane Hahn, who died recently.The musical, commissioned by the Alliance, was premiered by the Waynesboro Players. Shenandoah Moon celebrates the creation of Shenandoah National Park and the building of the Skyline Drive. A novelized version of the story was published by Hahn.
February’s Radio Hour will begin the new three-part serial by Elizabeth Massie: Run, Ruby, Run! Those who attended The Radio Hour Christmas Special 2010 learned that Ruby of the Hens of Renown Trio was overcome by her life as a celebrity. An intervention by George Shifflet and the other hens drove her to rehab at the Fowls Gone A-Foul Institute. Now the intrigue and fun begin.
Completing the February Radio Hour are The Boogie Kings led by Richard Adams with William Hayes on the keyboard, and J. T Fauber on percussion and Marsha Howard, Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter.
The merchant of the month will be Jennifer Ledford of Initial Inspiration, Main Street’s newest business.
The February performances will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 West Main at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.
The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Radio Hour Playwriting Contest
The River City Radio Hour is looking for five-minute radio plays or two-part plays lasting no more than 12 minutes. The scripts will be performed as part of the May or June Radio Hour.
Plays may be comedy, mystery or drama, but should appeal to a general audience. Two-part scripts should have a compelling cliffhanger at the end of part one.
Casts must be limited to no more than five actors, but they may play more than one character. The use of live and recorded sound effects is encouraged.
Winners will receive $50 prize for five-minute play and $75 for two-part play.
Send hard copies of scripts to
Radio Hour Play Contest
P.O. Box 1821
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if script is to be returned.
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Radio Hour returns with Wood, Chisnell
The first River City Radio Hour of 2011 will feature two audience favorites. Gwynne Wood and Kevin Chisnell, both of whom performed at WTA’s annual outdoors concert in August, will bring their unique talents to the January performances.
Gwynne Wood performs in the local music scene with her father and uncle as, “Gwynne Wood & The Civilians.” A freshman at Waynesboro High School, she is known for her pure vocal tones and a style well beyond her years. Kevin Chisnell is a virtuoso blues harmonic player and singer. His technique as a soloist or as supporting musician is sought after around the region.
The Boogie Kings led by Richard Adams with William Hayes on the keyboard, J.T. Fauber on percussion will accompany both Wood and Chisnell as well as performing their own set of songs during the hour-long performances.
Also returning to the Radio Hour will be Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard. She is armed with a new set of jokes for 2011.
The January Radio Hour will provide the conclusion to Kathy Johnson’s The Retired Detectives Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger. In November an explosion racked the back alley to the General Wayne Hotel. Was anyone hurt? Will the Dagger be found? The final chapter of the serial will answer those questions. The serial also features the handiwork of the Radio Hour Sound Effect Duo, Julie Scott and J. D. Robb.
The merchant of the month will be Kathy Johnson of Murder is a Game. Her latest murder mystery will be at the Barren Ridge Winery on Jan. 22 when the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Wayne Theatre Alliance present their third annual Murder at the Vineyard.
The January performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 W. Main St. at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.
The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Radio Hour Christmas Special
The Wayne Theatre Alliance will produce its first Christmas dinner theatre Dec. 9-12 at the historic Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro.
Dressed in Christmas finery, the dining room at Fairfax Hall will prove an ideal setting for The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas. Holiday guests will enjoy a special buffet before the production while being serenaded by the Dreamland Barbershop Quartet. Santa Claus has promised a visit as well.
The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas matinee performances will be on Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 12. Evening performances will be Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11. The dinner theatre begins with the Christmas buffet and a 90-minute performance of The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas. The production is followed by dessert and coffee with the cast.
Tickets are $40 per person, which includes the buffet, performance and dessert and coffee. Special rates for parties of ten or more are available. Seating is limited. Early reservations are suggested.
Call the Wayne Theatre Alliance office to make your reservation: 540.943.9999.
For more information visit: www.RiverCityRadioHour.com.
Happy Birthday! Radio Hour turns 3
On Oct. 15, 2007, the Waynesboro Cultural Commission’s monthly concerts made the transition to the newly coined River City Radio Hour. Featured on the first Radio Hour was the newly minted studio band The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard AdamsThey were joined by jazz singer Llyn Walker, Elvis impersonator Bob Lunger and comedienne Marsha Howard. That first show had an audience of a little over 100.
Over the following three years, The Radio Hour has become the responsibility of the Wayne Theatre Alliance. Its audience tops 200 with reserved seats a “must.” The old time radio talent show format has been honed with a mixture of musical talent, comedy, mystery serials, and musical commercials for local businesses and organizations.
The anniversary performances of The River City Radio Hour, set for Friday, Oct. 15, feature the mixture of talent that has made the show popular with area audiences. The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard Adams will headline the show with J. T. Fauber on percussion and William Hayes on piano and accordion. Sharing the evening is the popular a’cappella group. Sound Direction’s close harmonies have delighted audiences across the region. Irv Beedles will bring his homespun humor and a new set of jokes.
Toping the evening will be the second chapter of The Retired Detectives’ Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger by Kathy Johnson, In the first chapter, the detectives discover the body of the courier in a warehouse in Basic City. Before they alert the police, the building erupts in fire. The lone exit is locked!
The guest for the October Radio Hour will be John Tindall representing The Waynesboro Community Concerts series. In keeping with tradition, the Community Concerts will provide the door prizes. The drawing for the prizes is available to anyone who attends the performances.
The October performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 West Main at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.
The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
The Radio Hour goes classical
In honor of its September guest, Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, The Radio Hour will take a classical turn. The Symphony will be represented at the two performances by Charles Salembier, president of the Symphony’s Board of Directors. He will present the door prizes for the Friday, Sept. 17 performances: tickets to the Symphony’s Rhapsoday for America concert on Friday, Oct. 29 at the Paramount Theatre in Charlottesville.
In keeping with the classical flavor of the September Radio Hour, Sonjay Dillard, violinist, and Chris Bono, pianist, will share the stage with the Radio Hour’s studio band, The Boogie Kings. Sonja Dillard is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester. She holds a bachelor and master’s degree in music. She is currently a teacher of stringed instruments at Staunton Music and plays professionally throughout Virginia. Chris Bono is a keyboard artist and organ builder. He is a graduate of Bridgewater College. Together they will bring a new dimension to The Radio Hour.
Also on the program is the classic folksinger, Duffy. A frequent performer on the Radio Hour, Duffy writes and plays in the classical folk style. His unique perspective on the world gives his songs a special insight.
The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard Adams will lend their own classics to the September musical offerings. With William Hayes on keyboard and J. T. Fauber on percussion, the Boogie Kings will open the way to an evening of music and comedy.
Gracing the Radio Hour will be The Queen of Comedy, Marsha Howard. This will be Howard’s last performance before she takes a hiatus from her comedy performances. She will return in December as part of the holiday special, The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas, Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Fairfax Hall.
September will premiere the new serial The Retired Detectives’ Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger by Kathy Johnson. She is the creator of Murder Is a Game. Since 1988, she has been writing, producing and performing original mystery scripts throughout Michigan, the Midwest and Virginia. Known by many as the “murder lady,” Johnson produces custom mysteries for businesses, individuals, organizations and Chambers of Commerce. This is her first excursion into the classic format of the radio serial.
In chapter one of The Case of King Solomon’s Dagger, a small gathering of almost famous detectives has convened its monthly meeting at the General Wayne Hotel. A visitor arrives with a plea for help. The intrigue and danger begins.
The September performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 W. Main St. at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50.
Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
