Boomtown Opry rock ‘n’ roll show on tap for Aug. 8
Waldo native Joe Beasley in lineup
The August 8 Rock ‘N’ Roll edition of the Boomtown Opry will be held at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium at 100 W. 8th St. in El Dorado at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for only $15 general admission while children 12 and under are admitted for $5 each. Children five and under get in for free. Advance tickets are available for $10 each through itickets.com.
The Boomtown Opry is a family friendly event with no alcohol sold during the show. The show is on the second Saturday of each month.
The Boomtown Opry features a house band called The Roughnecks led by BJ Kyle, who has toured professionally with Colt Ford, Craig Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Kellie Pickler, Carrie Underwood, and others. Local country duo Southern Koast, made up of Keith Owens and Susan Tolin will provide background vocals with Tammy Fogle. Owens is also the emcee of the show.
Featured performers for the August show are Joe Beasley, who will perform as Ray Charles; April Sanders; Eric Shipp; and Kristina Kyle. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Show is held each August and features the music of the fifties and sixties.
Joe Beasley was born and raised in Waldo. Born into a musical family of many generations, he started playing piano at age eight. He became the full-time church pianist at thirteen. He was a member of the Magnolia High School band and choral program.
Beasley has performed
for numerous well-known church conferences. He had the honor and privilege to open for Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, Le’Andria Johnson. He has also performed for many festivals in the south Arkansas region. He performs at popular venues in Magnolia, such as Mule Kick at Southern Arkansas University and Central Hub on the Magnolia square. He also participates in many fundraisers with his band, The X Band.
Not only is he a great artist in his own right, but he also strives to keep iconic music alive by paying tribute to legendary artists such as Ray Charles. He is currently the full-time pianist at The Word Family Church in Camden.
April Sanders, from Burleson, Texas, has been performing for over 25 years. She is a regular performer on the Ark-La-Tex Opry circuit. She also enjoys performing in musical theatre productions.
Eric Shipp has been performing country and gospel music for 25 years all over the southern region. He has won contests all over, but the most rewarding part of his musical career has been serving as a music minister.
“Using what God gave me for HIS glory and HIS purpose is the most powerful opportunity God has ever given me,” Shipp said.
Kristina Kyle is an award-winning instrumentalist and vocalist from Stamps. She is a sophomore at Southern Arkansas University on scholarship, double majoring in Vocal and Instrumental education.
She has appeared on the Columbia County Hayride and at the Boomtown Opry. She has performed for many festivals and featured on KTBS Channel 3 Shreveport with Rick Rowe. She is also a member of the Southern Arkansas University Chamber Singers, Concert Band, and Marching band.
Aspiring singers may audition for future shows before rehearsals on show day around 2 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds from each Boomtown Opry show go to benefit the Union County Animal Protection Society. In return, UCAPS provides volunteers to staff each show.
To stay up-to-date with the latest Boomtown Opry news, visit facebook.com/boomtownopry.
Due to the cancellation of four shows this year, season pass holders will be granted access to all extra shows produced by the Boomtown Opry this year. So far, one extra show is on the calendar: The Blackwood Quartet on October 24.