Country music fans in Inverness and Aberdeen are in for a real treat as American country music spectacular Nashville Live swings into town.
Coming direct from Music City (Nashville, Tennessee) it features a host of top acts performing under the guidance of musical director Luke Thomas, the British Country Music Association Musician of the Year (2017).
“The show is based around the Grand Ole Opry which is regarded as the home of country music,” said Luke. “Each show from there is broadcast live on the radio at the same time.
“This show will feel like that as we’re including some live radio commercials, many of which relate to period commercials such as Babo soap adverts from the 1950s which will give it an authentic feel.
“The first half of the show starts with bluegrass and music from the 1940s and 1950s with artists such as Hank Williams and Bill Munro. There’s also music from classic artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings.
“The second half is more modern with performers such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain.”
The evening aims to transport audiences right into the heart of downtown Nashville and take them on a journey through the country music history books and hear some of the stories behind hits such as Folsom Prison Blues, Crazy, Jolene, The Gambler and many more.
On hand to bring the world of country music to the north of Scotland is an excellent cast.
“We have a four-strong band on stage and four West End performers who sing, play instruments and perform as different musicians,” said Luke.
“We have Scottish-born Robbie Durham who starred as Johnny Cash in the recent UK tour of Million Dollar Quartet. He plays Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Kenny Rogers and is just awesome.
“Lisa Wright is an accredited artist in her own right and played the love interest in The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon. She is really great at playing Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette. Chris Grahamson, who appeared in Billy Elliot and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, plays our announcer and has a lovely voice ideal for the radio. He also stars as Willie Nelson and Garth Brooks.
“Helena Gullen starred in the musical Once and is an amazing fiddle player. She’ll play with the band for a few numbers, sing in the commercials and appear as Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn too.”
Country music is booming at the moment.
“About five or six years ago the Country to Country festival started in London and every year since then the festival has been held in Glasgow and Dublin as well and attracted thousands of fans. They bring over some big name artists and this really brought people out of the woodwork,” said Luke.
“There’s a lot more young people involved these days, thanks in part to the festival and the Nashville TV show, they realise there’s a lot to love about country music.”
Nashville Live is at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness tomorrow, Friday June 8 (01463 234234) and His Majesty’s, Aberdeen on Monday June 11 (01224 641122).