Granbury Live

This past Saturday, the incomparable Michael Hix was at Granbury Live performing a show called “Lets Go to Vegas”. Sadly, I was out of town on other business for Michael’s performance, but when I got back in town and went to breakfast Monday morning at my favorite diner (#Pam’s), before I could even sit down two of my breakfast crew regulars told me they had been to Michael’s show and had the time of their lives!

They kept saying repeatedly, “Where does he get that much energy…I was exhausted just watching him!” They also commented on his originality as demonstrated in the comedy skit where he plays the “dummy” to his drummer, Josh Rogers, who plays a ventriloquist. Well I am here to tell you Michael is not dummy, in fact, he is a comedy and musical genius, but he and Josh brought the house to their knees in laughter.

I am told the most poignant moment in the show was when Michael brought a young girl up on the stage and asked her to sing with him, and when he asked for her favorite song, she said “Jesus Loves Me”. Well Michael never missed a beat and he and the young lady were soon joined by the crowd in for a very special Granbury Live moment.

When I got to my office there was an email from Michael, telling me he was sorry we didn’t get to see each other at his show, telling me how great the audience was and how terrific my staff had treated him. You see my friend Michael is just as nice a guy as he is a talented guy. He and his wife Ginny make a great team and I am pleased they are my friend, and part of the mix here at the New Granbury Live.

Michael will be back May 5 th for two shows: one at 2 and one at 7pm. If you missed his performance this past weekend, get tickets for his new show, “Motown Madness” and have one of the best times you can have anywhere, at any price. The best part will be your opportunity to watch a one of the really “good guys” is show business!

When a show comes together, there is an electricity in the room and an excitement which is almost palpable! Such was the case this past Saturday night as Holly Tucker joined the Granbury Live Follies to present “Classic Country”. The Texas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year did not disappoint, as she sang songs across the country music landscape, and ended with a crowd-pleasing rendition of “How Great Thou Art”.

Joining Holly and the rest of the amazing Granbury Live Follies crew was Andrew Sevener and Wisper Cox; Andrew being the Champion of our recently concluded Texas Spotlight competition and Wisper being a finalist. Both young talents knocked it out of the park and there were a great many people in attendance who commented they anticipated seeing those young performers on the national music scene someday!

Have you ever been to one of our Follies show? If you haven’t you missed a great one this past Saturday. Our next Follies show is March 24th and is called “The Times They Are A Changing” and will feature some of the best songs from Rock and Roll from 1964 to 1974. So if you like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Motown, the California sound, and all the other music which may this time of change so memorable, you won’t want to miss it!

It has been many years ago, but I had the privilege of seeing Hal Halbrook perform his award-winning play, “Mark Twain Tonight!”. Mr.  Halbrook has performed the show for over fifty years and still manages to “pack em in” the theater! This was also the first one-man plays which I had ever witnessed. “Truly remarkable” were the only words I could muster, as Mark Twain literally came alive before my eyes. I could feel his wit, sense his eye for observation, and could touch the sting of his barbed tongue as he humorously made comment after comment on life, love, politics and the world. Having been named after the iconic Texas figure, my next thought was: “Sam Houston’s story is a whole lot more interesting and exciting than anything Mark Twain could say!”, and so I pledged to one day write a one man show about General Sam and perform it before the great citizens of Texas.

On Feb 16, March 11, April 20 and April 22 I will be performing “The Lion of Texas-An Evening with Sam Houston” at Granbury Live. I believe our theater is the perfect venue for this show. I have performed the show at many places; Stage West in Ft Worth, MCL Grand in Lewisville, the Municipal Auditorium in Greenville, in Plano, Paris, Sherman and many other towns throughout Texas, but I am not sure I have been in a theater which is better suited for the production than Granbury Live. This intimate setting will truly allow me to bring the personality and character of General Sam to life before the audience. The production is humorous, insightful, and with sound and visual effects, it becomes very powerful and dramatic.

This show has been very well received by the critics and by the audiences. They leave feeling inspired about who they are and where they came from as a people. With so many people moving into our state every month, I have found new Texans are particularly found of the show and are often shocked by the true story of General Sam and the birth of Texas. I have frequently heard from audiences, “Now I know why these Texans are so proud!”

Take a look at the schedule and get a ticket for one of these performances. I do not think you will be disappointed. There is no greater story than the story of Texas and of Sam Houston. I also think there isn’t a better venue to tell the story than Granbury Live! If you are a Texan you will love it, and if you are not, we will all feel sorry for you! You wont be disappointed!

When I was a young man in college, I went to the oilfields of Oklahoma during the summer for work. Having been raised in the city I was not much of a Country music fan, but each day as we rode in a pickup from one worksite to the next, Country music was on the radio. One sound which really captured my attention was a young guy named Johnny Rodriquez. Who would have thought forty years later Johnny and I would both be at Granbury Live and I would have the pleasure of introducing him to an overflow, sold out crowd!

He gave a masterful performance and the audience loved it. As I spoke with people after the show, it was so interesting how for many of them the Johnny Rodriquez concert had been their first visit to Granbury Live. They were blown away by the sound, the intimacy and the entire aura of the theater! I got repeated comments about our wonderful hospitality and how folks had never been to a venue which seemed more intimate or got you closer to the performer! They loved the sound and the feel of the theater and said they couldn’t wait to see some of the upcoming acts like Doug Stone, Gene Watson, the Bellamy Brothers, and Moe Bandy!

If you get the chance, come to the New Granbury Live and experience the “most intimate venue in Texas”! It is an experience unlike any other

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!

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!