A brand new Civic Center has opened in Thomasville. We are so proud of it. It happened almost overnight after 20 years of working on it. We always dreamed of the day when we would be cultured and we are almost there. Within a week’s time, we had two different kinds of live performances.
One was the local school systems’ production of “Annie”, the Broadway musical. It was wonderful. We had some talented directors who really knew how to get the most out of the students. They were of all ages from elementary to high school. Children who had never shown any inclination to sing and dance were warbling and cavorting all over the stage. There was one young student in particular who had some juvenile delinquent tendencies in the past who gave a stellar performance. It just proved to me that sometimes children act out who have not found their niche. When they feel like they are making a valuable contribution that is recognized, they find their place in society. Things like that warm everybody’s heart particularly when there is an underdog they can cheer for. Living in a small town is like that. We know more about everybody’s business than we know the person. However, we all do root for one another and want all our young people to succeed. They all did in this production. There were a number of children I knew well in the program, but there were some I had never had the pleasure of meeting. However, a small town in rural Southwest Alabama being what it is, I did place most of them when somebody told me who their mama or their grandmamma was. Some of them got their talent from their relatives and some in spite of it.
The other production was a concert by a geriatric rock and roller by the name of Billy Joe Royal. He was what was called in my youth a “One Hit Wonder”. The only song anybody ever heard of that he sang was “Down in the Boondocks”. He was sponsored by a local sports booster club as a fundraiser. I don’t know if he was all they could get or whether their target audience was over 50, but he was the one who came for the first concert in the Civic Center. When he came out on stage, the woman next to me remarked that he looked like the Richard Nixon Halloween mask. He did. There was a quality about him that looked like his face had melted. The real fright was his hair, however. It was dyed some shade of brown that never quite looks real. He wore it in an elaborate do that when women wore it in the 70s, was called a gypsy hairdo. Either he had taken a brief nap before the performance, just had some bald spots in the back, because there were two holes in the back of his do.
Royal was a bit overweight and corseted which may or may not have been the cause of his arthritic dancing style. Several of us went out together after the performance and were discussing this. One man said every time Royal would get close to the edge of the stage, he’s think “For God’s sake man, get back! If you fell, you’d break a hip!” The irony of it was that Royal referred to his 12 year old daughter while on stage. One wag said it must be sad to have to pay child support out of social security. All kidding aside, though, the old man could sing! His voice still had its full register of tones. He was a tenor and could still hit the high notes without wavering. His voice reminded me of the voice of one of my favorite singers, Freddy Fender. I told that to a friend I was sitting with. He said “Well, you better enjoy Billy Joe Royal. Freddy Fender is not coming”. Fender is now performing on the Big Concert Stage in the Sky. Billy Joe Royal is still here and touring. We all enjoyed his performance. He sang well. His band and backup singers were every good musicians.
It was a little bit like watching the 50s and 60s specials Public Television has as fundraisers, only right in front of us. The worst part of both is reminding the audience how we are aging when we see the performers of our youth get on stage and say as Frankie Valli did on a PBS special “ I just thank God I made it through my open heart and cataract surgeries”.
I am just thankful I lived to see the Civic Center built. I plan to support as many performances as possible just because its here- juvenile or geriatric performers all, we’re glad we have a place to see live theater and concerts.
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7 comments:
I was really amazed at your atricle on the new Thomasville Civic Center. It left me a bit confused as to your job. Are you attempting to promote Thomasville and the Civic Center? Or, were you against the Civic Center and are attempting to discourage people from attending productions held there? If you are making an attempt to promote this new addition to the city, you might consider with-holding your individual opinion and stick to the facts. A good rule of thumb to remember is "If you can't say something good, don't say anything at all". If your position is one of opposition to the center, I strongly suggest that you 'build a bridge and get over it', because the center is built and needs to be a positive influence on bringing tourism to Thomasville. Your negative remarks can do nothing but prevent people from outside areas to avoid traveling to a city where the residents express such a negative opinion.
I was a member of the audience that had the privilege of hearing the outstanding concert presented by the amazing Billy Joe Royal. I was proud to be a part of history in the making at the new beautiful Thomasville Civic Center. Upon reading your review I wonder if we attended the same concert. I certainly hope that Mr. Royal never reads the article because he thought so much our town,our people, and especially the facility where the performance was held. It is my humble opinion that your negative remarks cause more harm than good for the city of Thomasville.
It is a shame that you had so many negative comments about Billy Joe Royal's appearance at the state of the art Thomasville Civic Center.
Mr. Royal came at the request of the city and the Diamond Club to preform at a discount price to help raise money. You showed your ignorance and uncaring attitude by
describing the preformer as a "one hit wonder" who was so over the hill that you were afraid he would fall off the stage. I hope you do not review all artists with such negativiy. Mr Royal has had numbrous songs in the Top 10 on Billbord,he has played Las Vegas,
The Grand Old Opry, and many other venues. He is not supporting his 12year old daughter with social security checks as he tours on a regular basis and is in demand.
I am very disappointed in your negative and disrespectful comments to a guest we had in Thomasville. I hope this disrespect will not be conceived that all us from Thomasville have this negative attitude. Remember you represent Thomasville and You (WE) can not change 1st impressions. NO KIDDING ASIDE!
Marlo Y. Anderson
Executive Director
Southwest Alabama Chamber of Commerce
My two cents..........I read your comments about Billy Joe Royal several times and see them as more of a lame attempt to be funny and/or a self appointed critic of entertainment at the new civic center. What exactly is your job title as Tourism Director for a 10 county area? As someone who is supposed to support ALL tourist type events regardless of their personal attraction to you; why dont you do your job by promoting rather than degrading the event. I would imagine that well over 50% of the attendees of the concert were from outside of Thomasville and some even stayed overnight. They brought commerce to Thomasville and willfully paid a good price for tickets to see a perfomer they knew. It is my understanding that nearly 300 tickets were sold and the Diamond Club made money off the event. Why not encourage them to do another show; I dont think you even have a clue how hurtful and damaging your comments have been. You owe the diamond club an apology as well as all who have read your column. Thomasville is a special place and it would be even more special if you found a way in your heart to realize that what you said has (intentionally or not)hurt many people; so be a big girl; APOLOGIZE!!!!!!(in your next column)
I am quite disappointed in your comments. I played baseball for Thomasville for 3 years and still have many friends who work with the diamond club. I believe your hypocritic comments were uncalled for. I believe the Diamond Club and one particular gentleman, whom I have not only had the pleasure to work with but also know personally from assisting me in my persuits into the military, worked very hard on the production. I agree that you should consider an appology to the Diamond Club. Also about your "joke" about Mr. Royal looking overweight, with all do respect madam you should really consider looking in the mirror before you begin pointing out others flaws. And honestly mam you should really get down to doing your job of "PROMOTING" tourism in southern Alabama rather than discouraging it with your critisism. Also as a resident of Thomasville i do find your comments discouraging and disrespectful and your should seriously consider changing your attitude and move away from trying to be a critic where as i do not see you fit to be one. And I would change the "Philosopher" title as seeing as how you are neither a greek nor a philosopher, i see little use in calling yourself such when you exhibit little wisdom. My thoughts, thank you for allowing me to express my oppinion as i respect yours but strongly disagree with it.
I saw nothing wrong with Ms. Vice's promotion and comments of Thomasville or the Civic Center. I'm thrilled with the new addition and know it will add many good times at rewarding events to Tomasville and it's surrounding areas.
Her description of Mr. Billy Joe Royal, who can still sing all of the high and low notes well, is just like all of us aging teenagers. We all have thinning, greying hair that may be dyed...a thicker waist, diminishing sight and maybe arthritic joints that don't move as well as we'd want...even when WE try to dance! P'cake
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