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They say people who laugh and smile regularly have a much longer life expectancy than those who don’t. While I love the great musical sound which emulates from the productions on the stage of the New Granbury Live, it only seems fitting to have a night where comedy takes the center stage. I have always loved comedy and have seen some of the great standups of my day; Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Robin Williams. I even made a point of seeing the great Red Fox out in Vegas many years ago and while very talented, his show certainly was not for everyone! Lol.

On March 31 the New Granbury Live will be hosting its first Comedy Night at 8 pm. The show will include Steph Clark who has been featured in the Huffington Post, Kipp Hart who has performed at the Comedy Store in Hollywood and will feature Tom Clark who has appeared on Conan, CBS’s Late, Late Show, and as a guest on the popular Bob and Tom radio. These talented pro’s have a lot of fun in store for you!

While this will not be a “raw” show discretion is advised.

How about a fun night with lots of laughs? Get your tickets  and be part of a brand-new tradition of comedy! We ARE where it is happening!

lionoftexas

Texas history is full of unique and memorable leaders. Lyndon Johnson, Ann Richards, Sam Rayburn, and Stephen F Austin were all unique and one of kind characters. For example, Stephen F. Austin never married, saying his bride was the land of Texas which had stolen his heart completely! Now that is commitment!

With all that being said, I am  sure there will never be a more iconic character than the first President of the Republic of Texas, the great Sam Houston. He was a statesman, a war hero, the member of an Indian tribe, a General, a soldier, a politician, and so much more.

Here at Granbury Live on Feb 16, March 11, April 20 and April 22 the theatrical performance “The Lion of Texas-An Evening with Sam Houston” will be presented. This one-man show has received rave reviews and acclaim from around the state and is performed in much the same style as the legendary Hal Halbrook in his immortal show “Mark Twain Tonight”.

Often humorous and chock full of anecdotes which will entertain and amuse, the dramatic story of the birth of Texas is sure to stir the blood of native Texans and invigorate all those who have immigrated. There is no better tale than the story of Texas and who better to tell it then Sam Houston?

Tickets are available now, so claim your seat to this wonderful show at the most intimate venue in Texas! . Come out and enjoy a theatrical performance which is sure to inspire, amuse and stir your heart with Texas pride!

Johnny Rodriguez

One of the cool things about being the General Manager of the New Granbury Live is the opportunity to select the acts which appear at the theater. I have always been a fan of Johnny Rodriquez. When you listen to “Pass Me By” “Riding My Thumb to Mexico” or “That’s the Way Love Goes” it is unavoidable to keep from singing along and tapping your toes! The sound is unique and authentic with a blend of Texas, Country, and Tejano all wrapped up in one sound. Reminds me of one of my Mom’s soups, it was always good but hard to discern exactly how it was put together! Lol

I had the pleasure of working with my dear friend Dave Alexander and bringing Johnny to the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso a couple of years ago and he was simply terrific. The sound, the lyrics and the experience were simply first rate.

Johnny Rodriquez has been nominated as CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, has had fifteen songs in the top ten and six which were certified as #1! It isn’t often a talent like this come to Granbury. Get your tickets today because they are selling quickly. You want to experience this legendary artist in the most intimate venue in Texas; the New Granbury Live! Hope to see you there!

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For an entertainer to be successful they must bring forth a level of originality in their performance. Audiences crave unique and memorable experiences as opposed to seeing and hearing the same old songs sung the same old way. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen young performers who want to sing and act just like Garth Brooks or Blake Shelton or Miranda Lambert. They don’t seem to understand there is ALREADY a Garth Brooks; we don’t need someone who sings and performs just like him!

When I think of original performers I think of people like George Jones, Tony Bennett, Elvis and the like. People who made their mark in the entertainment world because they were “different” than everyone else! We are very fortunate to have one of the most original entertainers in Texas regularly perform at Granbury Live; the one and only Michael Hix.

If you have seen Michael perform you know exactly what I mean, and if you haven’t I can only say he has more energy in his presentation than just about any other performer I have ever seen. This energy he brings to the stage, swoops up the audience as they sit memorized trying to guess what he may do next! He may sing, he may bring someone from the audience up on stage, or he might go out into the audience and sing from there! His silly humor and the great music make for a combo which is both original and full of the pizzazz which audiences adore.

Michael Hix will be at Granbury Live on March 3 at 3 and 7 pm presenting, “Let’s Go to Vegas” a variety show featuring the songs of some of the greatest Vegas artists including Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, Elvis and Celine Dion. With Michael’s mad cap comedy and whirlwind style, this is a show which will leave you thoroughly entertained and in the end, wondering how one person could pack that much energy in one single show!

Come and see one of the most original and energetic acts you will ever have the pleasure to see;
Michael Hix presents “Let’s Go to Vegas”!

Follies

On February 17 at 2 and 7 pm, the Granbury Live Follies will present “Classic Country”, an exciting show featuring some of the greatest songs in Country Music.
When Music Director Mark Gheen and I were creating this show, we knew that along with the outstanding group of vocalists and band members which regularly appear, this Follies show would have the privilege of having some very special guests. Holly Tucker who finished 6th on NBC-TV’s The VOICE and is also the Texas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year will be on our stage, along with Andrew Sevener, who is fresh off winning the Hank 92.1 FM Texas Spotlight! The show will also feature one of the top contestants from the Texas Spotlight, Wisper Cox.

When you have this kind of talent at your disposal, it is hard for me as the Producer not to try and fit in as many songs as I can into the allocated time, and match up songs with each individual vocalist in such a way, the music really brings out their best. This quest for the “right” music lead to an interesting discussion between Mark and myself; What makes a song a “Classic”?

We eventually agreed a classic must be something which makes your toes tap, or your eyes want to tear up, or you want to dance and sing along. I think it natural to assume these types of songs need to be from the distant past…30, or 40 or even 50 or more years old: but the truth is a song can be brand new on the charts and create these desired responses. Mark and I call them instant classics! We even threw one or two of them in this show!

If you get a chance buy some tickets and come on down to the beautiful square in Granbury and experience one of our favorite shows; The Granbury Lives Follies Present Classic Country! You’re going to hear Patsy, some Merle, some George Strait, Randy Travis and a whole lot more. I promise you this, you are going to hear some of the best music and vocals around, and do it in a location which is known as “the most intimate venue in Texas. It doesn’t get better than that!

Attend Granbury Live and have some fun and see if we sing your favorite classic country song!

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At Granbury Live we are so very fortunate to have an adjoining room like our Celebration Hall. For those of you who have never been here, Celebration Hall is a banquet room with terrific mood lighting, a view of the historic Court House and Square, and plenty of room for all sorts of events.

One of the events which I most love to host is our Murder Mystery Night. It all starts with a great meal catered by some of the best restaurants in Granbury. Our February 9th show will be catered by Joe’s Pasta who receives rave reviews each time they cater!

Then of course there is the play! The actors are professionals who have performed literally hundreds upon hundreds of Murder Mystery shows.

The show for Feb 9 is all new for Granbury and is called “Death So Delicious”. It would seem someone is cooking up trouble at the World’s Greatest Chef Competition. The $1,000,000 prize money has some of the chefs hitting below the belt, especially Oriental Cuisine Guru Benn MooShoo. He wants to win so badly he’ll stoop to blackmailing each of his competitors to win. But just as too many cooks can spoil the sauce, too many chefs being blackmailed can lead to murder-especially when cyanide winds up in Benny MooShoo’s rib sauce! Which chef would have the “bad taste” to bump Benny permanently from the competition?

Get your tickets to our February 9th show and see if you can decide WHODUNNIT! Good food and fun for everyone and the winning table will win some free tickets to some Granbury Live events!

Come on down and have a unique and memorable experience at the New Granbury Live. This is where it’s happening!

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As we get closer and closer to February a block of the calendar which I refer to as “Texas History Time” begins. For those of you who don’t remember, the Battle of the Alamo started in February, the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed March 2, and the Battle of San Jacinto who won our freedom from Mexico, was on April 21. During this brief period there are hundreds of great stories about the brave men and women who fought and struggled to create our Texas.

On February 17, March 11, April 20 and 22, at the Granbury Live Theater It will be my pleasure to present “The Lion of Texas-An Evening with Sam Houston”; the amazing story of the most iconic character in the history of Texas. This one-man play is full of humor, amazing tales, and sound and visual effects which will transform you to the living room of the great General Sam and make you feel like you are having a private conversation! Inspiring, patriotic, and enriching, this show has been performed throughout Texas to rave reviews! You will laugh, be amazed at the “living history” of General Sam’s life, and appreciate his thoughts and concerns about the Texas of today. No Texan can see the show and not be moved by the dramatic story of the Texas Revolution, the loss of the Alamo and Goliad and the exciting victory at San Jacinto.

Actual comments from people who have seen “The Lion of Texas -An Evening with Sam Houston”:

“I did not grow up in Texas and only vaguely knew the story of Sam Houston and the Texas revolution. No wonder all these Texans are so proud! What an epic story and presented so well!

“It made my chest swell with pride…wonderfully written and beautifully performed. Something every Texan should see”

“My emotions swung in every direction. I found myself laughing, crying, swelling with pride, and looking on in amazement. The kind of show everyone should see and will be glad they did”

Importantly, the March 11 show is a fund raiser for the Comanche Peak Detachment of the Marine Corp League (The people who make Toy’s for Tots happen at Christmas and lots of other great things for Marine Corp Veterans).

Get your tickets to this exciting and entertaining show. If you are from Texas, you will love it! If you are new to Texas, you will appreciate it! If you aren’t from Texas we will all feel sorry for you!

Love Letters proof

Maybe I am just getting older, but time seems to move a lot faster than it once did! Just a few weeks ago it was Christmas, then New Year’s, and before we know it February 14th will be upon us and it will be time to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Now fellas, you know you have got to do something for your sweetheart on this special day and the more original and unique it is, the more she will like it! This year Valentine’s day falls in the middle of the week, so it may be impractical to travel to a distant destination, and on Valentine’s Day restaurants are always so crowded and expensive! Why not take your sweetheart someplace close to home which will be romantic, entertaining and delicious?

The New Granbury Live is the answer.

It all begins with dinner catered by Farina’s of Granbury. This Italian meal will include salad and dessert and will be served in the romantic atmosphere of Celebration Hall. Beer and wine will be available and there will be live piano music for those who might wish to dance “cheek to cheek” between courses! Immediately following the meal, attendees will be escorted to Granbury Live Theater where they will see a production of the Pulitzer Prize nominated play, “Love Letters”. This light-hearted romantic comedy is the perfect theatrical production for Valentine’s; it most certainly will be romantic, funny and create quite an emotional ride!

Performed by Don Shook and Laurie Granlund, both well known names in theatrical circles in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex the nights entertainment should create a unique and memorable experience and still get you home before 10 pm without breaking the bank!

Tickets are $50 and includes, dinner, music, dessert, and a wonderful theatrical performance all at one low price. Ticket sales have been brisk and will sell out so get your tickets today before they are all gone!

Spotlight Finale

Saturday was the culmination of the Texas Spotlight Show competition at Granbury Live.

It has been a unique journey over the past six months and I thought it appropriate to express a few thoughts.

First, I must thank the Ownership of Granbury Live, The Thomas Group, for having the courage and insight to start a new series like the Texas Spotlight. We certainly experienced some growing pains but the Finals were something to behold and truly a unique and memorable experience.

Hank Radio 92.1 has been a wonderful partner and I cannot say enough good things about their efforts and support for Granbury Live and the Texas Spotlight series. Courtney, Billy, Aaron, Norma and the Crowman were all great to work with and were first class all the way. Thanks!

To Dave Alexander and the terrific Texas Spotlight Band, including Dale Morris Jr., Roger Ramsey, Andrew Popham, the “King of the Ivory Keyboards”  Mark Gheen, as well as late addition Monty Gaylord; thanks for being so talented and expending your time and energy to make the competitors have such a wonderful experience and helping them produce the best music for which they were capable.

To the one and only Zac Wilson, who was an outstanding Master of Ceremonies! He handled a tough job and made the shows flow effortlessly and smoothly.

To our Finals Judges, thank you for your time and expressing your opinion so professionally and eloquently. Holly Tucker, Penny Gilley Stanglin

To the great staff of Granbury Live for handling the seating, ticketing, concessions and making everything go so smoothly.

Most importantly, to the wonderful contestants who make the show such a success. I cannot express how proud I am of each and every one of you! To see you grow in your performances has been a real treat, I hope you had as much fun as I did watching your performances! It was truly something which I will always remember.

Lastly, to the folks who bought the tickets and attended the shows, thank you for supporting these talented performers in their quest for greatness. I am prayerful the production exceeded your expectations and you will all be fans of the New Granbury Live for many years to come. It is our goal to bring you the best of live entertainment, and I think we rang the bell with this Finals Show in the Texas Spotlight!

It has been fun and a joyful experience and surely, “one heck of a party”.

Thanks for reading and get ready for more special events to come at the New Granbury Live…it is where it is happening!


Be sure to check out the photo gallery, courtesy of Shad Ramsey