Classic Nashville Roadshow set at Rylander

AMERICUS — Reminiscent of the time that June Carter fell for Johnny Cash or when Loretta Lynn was just a coal miner’s daughter, the Classic Nashville Roadshow takes audiences on a journey down memory lane through some of the greatest classic country hits of all time, while paying homage to the most beloved country greats who sang them.

The roadshow will make its way into south Georgia music fans’ hearts at the Rylander Theatre in downtown Americus, May 18.

Featuring off-Broadway award winner Jason Petty and Georgia native Katie Deal backed by a live Nashville band, this Opry-style concert will be the final performance in the Friends of the Rylander Theatre 2017-2018 Presenter Series.

“We always ask our audiences what they want to see next at the Rylander, and the feedback we received was ‘country music, classic country, Patsy Cline’ and suggestions of that nature,” Rylander Managing Director Heather Stanley said. “So when I found Classic Nashville Roadshow, I thought this would be a crowd pleaser. And how wonderful to have a homegrown Georgia artist on our stage as well.”

Stanley pointed out that the last two shows in the Presenter Series sold out by the date of the performance, so buying tickets in advance is encouraged.

Petty, who hails from Manchester, Tenn., began his journey at the Ryman Auditorium in 1996. From there, it was on to New York City, where he received an Obie Award for his off-Broadway portrayal of Hank Williams Sr. in “Hank Williams’ Lost Highway.” Petty has since continued to thrill audiences across the United States, Canada and Europe with his portrayal of the country music legend.

He has appeared in national tours of “Lost Highway,” as well as his own shows, “Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Country Royalty” and “Jason Petty’s The Swingin’ Cowboys,” and can be seen at various venues across the nation entertaining audiences with his storytelling, classic country twang and down-home charm.

Deal is best known for two sell-out national tours of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.” Daughter of Georgia Governor and First Lady Nathan Deal, the singer has made a successful performance career honoring the women of country music.

First finding her voice as a country singer while working with a theater company in Memphis, Tenn., in 2002, Deal has since joined the ranks of some of entertainment’s best and has traveled the nation wowing audiences with her authentic portrayal of the late country great, Patsy Cline.

With two sell-out national tours of “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline” and numerous productions under her belt, Deal has found success with her hit one-woman show, “Katie Deal in Today, Tomorrow & Forever: A Tribute To Patsy Cline.” Deal’s honeyed Southern lilt can regularly be heard swinging with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, crooning to the blues or belting it out in theaters across the country.

Tickets for the Classic Nashville Roadshow are reserved seating, $25 adults, $15 students (K-12) and can be purchased online at rylander.org or through the Rylander box office, Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call (229) 931-0001.

Billie Wheeler