Lake Life

Families welcome at the Hayseed Opry
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
SEVEN POINTS–Does Cedar Creek Lake have talent? You can be the judge, or you can showcase your own musical talent in a new entertainment venue geared toward families.

Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
A round of “Cotton-Eyed Joe” by performers Angela Miller (left), Joann Miller, Larry Johnson and an audience member marks the intermission at the Hayseed Opry, housed at the Big Show Auction on State Highway 274 in Seven Points.
It’s called the Hayseed Opry, and it’s held every third Friday night at the Big Show auction building on State Highway 274 in Seven Points.
The smoke-free, alcohol-free facility offers a welcome alternative for those who enjoy singing Karaoke, an alternative where younger family members can watch or even participate.
Gun Barrel City resident Joann Miller shows she still has a voice in her golden years. She took the stage several times Friday singing “Your Cheatin Heart” as an old favorite. And then there’s 91-year-old Emma Kimmons crooning “City Lights” and “New Heartache.”
But it doesn’t just appeal to the senior citizen. Young talent with voices and passion to rival Kerry Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift filled the 250-seat theater with heart-pounding phrases like those from “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “You’ll Always Be My Baby.”
Terry Watson, who has presented the Saturday night auction for the past nine years in Seven Points, has teamed up with an area-resident couple to produce a country western opry.

Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
Imogene (aka Sam Cox) fields questions from the audience as part of costumed comedy act.

The three-hour monthly production starts at 7 p.m., but the doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner at the Big Show café.
Dinner specials, like chicken spaghetti, country-style meatloaf and macaroni and cheese, are just some of the featured offerings available on opry nights, as well as during the Saturday night auction.
“The homemade cakes and pies are to die for,” Watson said.
The Big Show auction relocated a little further down the road from its previous spot besides David’s Grocery 15 months ago.
“We have enough merchandise and customers to operate two auctions simultaneously,” Watson said proudly.
For the last eight months, Watson has tried different musical attractions in the new location, but the opry – going for four months now – has been the most successful, Watson said, attracting 50 to 100 people.
“We hope more people will find out about it and join the fun,” he said.
During the first two shows, the Log Cabin Swingers were one of the featured acts, he added.
Some of the credit has to go to Angela Miller and fiancé Rayburn Turner, who have been Kemp residents now for a year, having moved to the area from Seagoville.
Turner used to have his own band, worked as a backup singer for Ray Price and still has many friends in the music business. Angela’s been singing at venues like this for the past four years.
“We’d like to have more local people perform,” Angela said. “We started with the people we knew (like Angela’s aunt Joann). We’d love to get some more comedy acts, as well.”
Because the price of admission is $6, there isn’t an open mike. Performers must audition for a slot.
“Everyone can sing,” Turner said. “Just some sing better than others.”
If a would-be performer can carry a tune, but doesn’t have the pipes for the selection he/she has chosen, Turner is willing to work with them.
“I’ll help them find the song that’s right for their ability and singing style,” he said.
Auditions are held after each performance, but Turner said he’s willing to make other arrangements if necessary.
“If someone performs somewhere and wants us to hear them, we’ll go out of our way for them,” Turner added.
Performers that make the audition are afforded the opportunity to present four songs – two in each half of the show (an intermission divides the program).
The first half of the show is made up of country-western songs. Performers may accompany themselves on an acoustic instrument, or provide a CD with the instrumental.
Turner owns and operates the sound system for the show, and Angela assembles the lineup and serves as mistress of ceremonies.
“Angela’s good at encouraging a new singer with her words of introduction and praise afterwards,” Turner said.
Singers get more than applause and praise from Angela, though. If the audience really connects with the song or singer, someone will walk up to the stage during the song and deposit a tip into a bucket for the singer, which is collected following the performance.

Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
Shannon Guthrie, with a voice to rival Taylor Swift, sang four songs at the Hayseed Opry in Seven Points July 16.

Audience members are also welcome to dance to any of the tunes on a dance floor at the foot of the stage.
Angela also takes a turn with a Patsy Cline tune, “Faded Love.”
The first half concludes with a spotlight entertainer, such as Angela’s stepdaughter, Mindy Gautney, 26, from Mesquite. She’s been singing her whole life, but has been seeking a singing career for the past four years.
Gautney appears totally comfortable in the spotlight as she belts out “Leavin’ On Your Mind.” The house lights come up and performers and audience members are invited to participate in the “Cotton-eyed Joe.”
During intermission, a drawing is held for door prizes. Friday, This N That Treasures, a new business in Seven Points, donated the door prizes, including a hand-crafted framed mirror and gift basket.
In the second half of the show, country and western music gets things started back up again, a comedy act follows with a lot of give and take between the performer and the audience.
Imogene (aka Sam Cox), dressed in all her finery, fielded questions from the audience about where she buys her clothes (so we can all avoid going there) and how does she pick her hats?
Those who want to offer other song genres, like rock and roll and gospel, are also welcome in the second half.
Twice during the evening, the lights came up, and the audience urged to help one of their own celebrate a birthday with a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Young children were also seen bringing up tips to the stage and dancing to their favorite songs.
“There’s a lot of entertainment value folks are getting for their $6,” Turner said “I enjoy letting other people sing (on stage) and see them getting their five minutes of glory.”
The next opry is 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20. “Bring the whole family out for an affordable night out,” Watson said.