By BOB SHRAUKA
WZBD.com
As the Decatur Chamber’s annual Summer Concert Series wound down its second month on Thursday, its diversity was once again in evidence.
After four weeks of rock and hard rock, the series shifted to a night of square dancing. Then, on Thursday, the focus shifted again, this time to country music and a bit of country rock.
The Silver Stallions paid tribute to the legendary Highwaymen: Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash.
The foursome says on its website that it presents an authentic tribute right down to the voices, mannerisms and clothing of the Highwaymen. That certainly was proven true on the Madison St. Plaza Thursday night.
Perhaps the biggest ovation of the night came after Larry Walsh as Willie Nelson sang “You Were Always on My Mind.” One could look away from the stage and think Willie Nelson himself was there.
That song, by the way, was recorded by Cash and Elvis, but it was the third rendition, Nelson’s, which went to the top of the charts in 1982.
Great Highwaymen’s songs to stir the crowd included ‘Silver Stallion’, ‘Live Forever’, and ‘The Highwayman’ Also heard were ‘On the Road Again’, ‘Folsom Prison Blues’, ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘Help me Make it Through the Night’.
There was even a little Janis Joplin, with “Me and Bobby McGee.”
Other members of the Stallions are Jeff Tankersley as Cash, Frank Perry as Jennings, and Alan Tedders as Kristofferson.
Bellmont’s Summer Show Choir Campers opened the evening’s entertainment. This year’s camp consisted of 60 youngsters in grades K-8th, assisted by 20 high school students.
