Back in 2007, Clair Myers had an idea. He talked about it with Richard Adams. Together they worked out a format for the first River City Radio Hour. It featured The Boogie Kings, Marsha Howard, Llyn Walker and Bob Lunger and his daughter Savannah as Elvis and Elvisette. The merchant of the month was Stacy Strawn of Blue Moon Galleries. Since that fateful performance, The River City Radio Hour and Third Fridays have become a tradition in Downtown Waynesboro.
It is now seven years later and The Radio Hour celebrates its long run with a special, outdoor performance on Friday, August 23 in Waynesboro’s Constitution Park at 7 pm. The celebration will feature the many of the original talent. The Boogie Kings will be represented by Richard Adams and J.T. Fauber. Jazz singer Llynn Combs-Walker and the first lady of comedy, Marsha Howard will also return.
Also in the special performance will be Liz Barnes, jazz pianist, who will join the Boogie Kings and become part of the studio band for the evening’s performance. Barnes is the other member of the Barnes-Martin jazz duo that performs widely in Central Virginia and will appear at WTA’s Gateway on September 7.
Backing Llyn Combs-Walker will be jazz bassist Sheldon Sprouse. Together they will give a couple of “cool” jazz renditions for the summer evening.
Marsha Howard appeared on the Radio Hour before it was the Radio Hour. Alternately known as the First Lady of Comedy and the Mistress of Mirth, her bag of jokes are legendary.
Also appearing is musician, songwriter, and author John Tracy (AKA John Tracy Wilson). He uses his songwriting to sharehis experiences with life, love and family transparently and honestly through his lyrics. A licensed minister and “musicianary” he takes his music to real people living real life, showing them they are not alone on their journey. John is also the author of Of Life, Love and Family.
The Radio Hour drama takes a different tact with Cut and Curl by Californian Shirley King. While the family is preparing for the wedding of the decade in Murdock USA, an incident at the ballpark puts all in jeopardy. Playing in the comedy are Bill Martin, Clair Myers, Madison Pringer, Dustin Roadcap, and Llyn Combs-Walker.
The outdoor performance will begin at 7 pm. Seats are provided but the audience is encouraged to bring their own chairs. Although the performance is free, donations are gratefully accepted.
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Chris Graham
