Country Music Tribute Show this weekend at WiLLow LeaVes of Hope

This weekend the stage at WILLow LeaVes of Hope will be jammin’ with a little country and a little rock-n-roll.

Area residents are invited to the debut of the “Country Music Tribute Show” presented by the Actors’ Studio of Hope at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The two-hour long show will feature tribute performances by Lisa Barrett, who is reprising her role as Patsy Cline, Tim McNamee as Johnny Cash and George Jones, and Travis Albertson as Elvis Presley.

Producer Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle hopes the show not only sparks nostalgic feelings among audience members, but that the audience is transported to another time.

“We are going to have a great show,” Pyle says. “We are going to party down.”

To meet audience demand, an encore performance of the show, which was originally billed as a one-night engagement, will be offered Sunday afternoon.

Seymour resident Lisa Barrett says her portrayal of Patsy Cline is a performance that always brings the crowds back for more.

“Honestly, what I think is that she is just so timeless,” Barrett says. “Her music has withstood the test of time and it has a classic sound. And the tragedy around her death has made her even more well-loved.”

When she was told about the show and asked to perform, Barrett says she thought it was a great opportunity to present a range of good classic rock and country.

“There will be something for everyone,” Barrett says. “When the audience walks in they are going to feel like they’ve been transported back in time and it is going to take them out of the moment while they’re there.”

For Tim McNamee, this show is the first of its kind for him.

As a nearly life-long performer, McNamee says he chose to perform songs by Johnny Cash and George Jones because the country legends were such great influences on him as a child.

“I am coming back to my roots,” he says. “I’ve always loved country music and I was a country kid listening to nothing but country music.”

McNamee says nerves are not an issue, as he has performed numerous times both solo and with the Hauser Boys.

However, this show will offer an opportunity for McNamee to not only perform classic favorites, but also introduce the audience to some of his original Christian songs.

“We mix our music in with Christian music because that is the message we want to send,” McNamee says. “I will be doing four or five original songs. I am always about getting out the message of hope.”

With one show already sold out, Pyle is hopeful that the tribute show paves the way for similar shows down the road.

“I want to look at the audience and see them singing along,” Pyle says. “I want to see smiles on their faces. There will be songs that are legendary and everyone recognizes.”