I have a little confession to make to you all: As General Manager of the New Granbury Live, one of my many duties is to book acts for the theater. From the outside that may appear to be an easy job. During the course of a week I have occasions for people to approach me and suggest an artist to bring to Granbury Live: “Get Vince Gill” (tickets would have to be $300 for us to break even!), “George Strait” (I’m in if George is!) or someone they saw In a bar where they did not pay admission (why are people going to pay Granbury Live to see someone who regularly performs for free?) I must find talent which has a reasonable cost, people must want to come and see the entertainer, and the entertainer must perform at a high level. Even with doing my homework, on rare occasions an artist does not deliver. This past year we had an occasion where a very well-known performer appeared and to say his presentation was poor would be a great understatement. I disliked the show, so did the public, and they won’t be back! Most of the time I get it right and we have good shows. Occasionally, I even surprise myself with how good the results are!
This past Friday night I hit a home run…no wait: I think I hit a grand slam! Wade Hayes was in the house and did a magnificent job! His voice, his songs, his attitude and emotion, were as crisp and pure as his outstanding guitar playing. Wade made a wonderful career for himself before stage 4 cancer struck him and nearly took his life. Well, I am proud to say he has beaten the cancer, and he is back writing great songs like “Who Saved Who”; a story about a rescue dog Wade took in who helped him in life as much as Wade rescued the dog! The crowd loved the story, Wade’s emotional explanation of the song, and the sound! Make no mistake about it, this is a tremendously talented man, and he deserves your attention for his musical talent and for his humanity.
I have already reached out to Wade and his agent. I want them back and maybe this next time with a full band. I promise, when he comes back to the New Granbury Live, get a ticket because it will be an experience you will not soon forget. In my mind, he is clearly one of the top 5 shows we have EVER HAD! Pull up some of Wade’s new songs from your favorite music provider and listen. This is not a guy who wants to live in the past, singing only the songs which brought him his initial fame, but is seeking to add to his legacy with a whole new set of wonderful tunes.
If you weren’t in Granbury Live on Friday night you really did miss something special. The good news is when he comes back, you will have a second chance; just like Wade has gotten.
God Bless you all and God Bless my new friend Wade Hayes and his terrific music!
