wI

Will Rogers Theatre photo by Frank Hedge

By Patrick B. McGuigan

Newspaper Manager MidCity Advocate

Great toe-tappin music filled the air along Western Ave. in the MidCity over the July 4 cycle. An eclectic evening of classic all-American music at the Will

Rogers Theatre Featured the songs of rockabilly great Johnny Horton, world-class bluegrass sounds of the Davis Brothers, and the glorious voice of “Ruthi and her banjo”. Accompanied by HottRodd.

Those in the mood for classic honky tonk found plenty to cheer in July 3 show at Will Rogers. Robert Medley and the Honky Tonk Men headlined The Johnny Horton Tribute. The four-man band (acoustic guitar, lead electric, bass fiddle and drum) set solid pace with Horton’s grand pop hits, as well as his early rock-and-roll fusion with classic country, rockabilly.

Medley’s gang provided great covers to Horton’s monster hits like North to Alaska. When it’s Springtime in Alaska(It’s 40 below), Sink the bismarck and the Battle of New Orleans. For the latter, Medley donned a classic coonskin hat to good effect, while Ruthi came on stage to provide backing lyrics for the tragic “springtime” song.

For all the tribute to Horton, the rock tunes were the grandest tip of the hat to a great performer who died much too soon.