Kenny Burford
From:
Independence, Missouri USA
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Posted 3 Mar 2006 8:12 am |
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I would like to put in a plug for the theatrical show “Lonesome Highway,” which I had the privilege of seeing yesterday evening with my good friend and steel guitarist Brandon Charles. The show is currently being performed at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre on the campus of University Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) with a cast of ten members all of which are outstanding talents, but there is one member which I am particular proud to mention, steel guitarist and cast member Mr. Russ Weaver who plays the role of “Shag,” on stage and who is a resident of Independence, Missouri. I have the highest regard for Mr. Don Helms and the other original Drifting Cowboys and I am confident that the quality of Russ Weaver’s steel guitar performance would make Mr. Helms beam with pride. Playing on a non-pedal Gibson steel guitar, Weaver produced a quality of sound that was as good or better than I have ever heard in a live performance. From my limited conversation with Mr. Weaver it is my understanding that the current production is going discontinue touring this May, so I would like to urge any of you who want to see a musical program that is truly entertaining make plans to see current production of Lonesome Highway. Just for record the other cast members are as follows and a brief comment on their performance:
Hank Williams – Van Zeiller – he does an excellent job of building the tempo of his performance throughout the show.
Tee-Tot – Mississippi Charles Bevel – one of the most amazing vocalist I have ever had the privilege of hearing.
The Waitress – Patricia Dalen – a beautiful woman and probably the cast member with the least amount of lines, but her performance in the scene with Williams during the final months of his life brought complete understanding to the level of despair William’s life had reached by late 1952.
Mama Lilly – Margaret Bowman – the first half of the show almost gets stolen by her outstanding performance.
Hoss – Stephan G. Anthony – outstanding bassist, vocalist & comes across as being a friend and band mate of Williams
Jimmy (Burrhead) – Myk Watford – I find it hard to believe that Watford is not the lead character of a production. He is amazingly talented plus humorous and probably gives the best rendition of what a Vaudeville performance must have been like during its hayday.
Leon (Loudmouth) – H. Drew Perkins – outstanding musician on multiple instruments, but a master of the violin.
Fred “Pap” Rose – Mike Regan – an experienced actor with tremendous stage presences. His performance of Fred Rose portrayed the heart felt appreciation Rose had for the raw gut emotion William’s music had.
Audrey Williams – Regan Southard – beauty and talent, with a good dose of humor added to put on a good performance.
Shag – Russ Weaver – superb steel guitarist.
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