What place did you like most on your travels?–the most common question we hear referring to our motor home cross country treks. Answers are hard to come by. Picking one place is impossible but we now have one more to add to the list; The Liberty Opry in Liberty, Texas, a top notch country music house tucked into a corner of Texas. Visit www.libertyopry.com if you’d like to see pictures or the performance schedule. For you map lovers, Liberty is located north and slightly east of Houston and 45 minutes south of Livingston, (another corner of Texas where Paul and I frequently hang out in an Escapee membership campground.)
The ad for Liberty Opry appeared in the campground brochure. As great fans of country, western and folk music, we called. They generally perform every Saturday night at 7:00 but for New Year’s Eve (2010-1) they featured a Friday night 4 hour long show . We reserved two tickets (would you believe at only $11.00 per person) and drove the 45 minutes to Liberty. The theatre is located on the town square and was built in 1938 as a movie house. It was converted many years later into a performance hall with classic stage and theatre seating. Next to the theatre is a large hall serving as a cafe, sales counter for CD’s and such and collection center for local food banks. (I wish we had known to bring canned food to donate).
We had good seats, in row G and settled in to be entertained. Our row mate was a lovely woman, native to Liberty. She told us about the history of the Opry and we knew we were in for a real treat!!
The people of Liberty and in our experience, all of Texas are friendly and helpful to strangers. As we drove through Liberty, there seemed to be more retail shops , businesses and malls per 8500 residents than one would expect. They must love to shop and even have a Walmart. I believe that every one of those business advertises in the playbill and lends their support to the theatre.
THE SHOW features a “resident” country swing-style band of talented and professional musicians who love what they do and are glad to have a venue in which to perform. The bill featured 3 performers for the New Year’s Eve show+ plus the master of ceremony and his comedy side kick “Booger Lee,” The performers were Donna B, the Ebony Cowgirl and wonderful singer, Jabbo Cannon Liberty native and cousin of our row mate, raised in the Gospel tradition and Heath Spencer Philip, the “energizing bunny” Elvis/60’s style rocker and over-the-top performer. There were two intermissions where we could mingle with the performers, people watch and talk to other attendees.
The hardest part of listening to the show was staying in my seat. I habitually bounce and react to upbeat rhythm be it classical, rock and roll, country or folk; I can’t sit still. How many times I came close to grabbing Paul and dancing in the aisle. I could have–should have I am sure but, not knowing the “protocol” for this theatre, did not want to be first. (no one else did either). Shucks, I have regrets, I love to dance.
We heard the likes of Ring of Fire, One of These Days, All I Have to Do is Dream, 15 Tons, Nadine, Unchained Melody, Jailhouse Rock, Stagger Lee (you get the era) and finished at midnight with the audience standing to AULD LANG SYNE. The 4 hours melted away. The locals stayed for the after show buffet, racing into line even after they were asked to let the musicians eat first.
Paul and I chose to head on home, setting the GPS for the campground and singing and reliving the show. We were even greeted by a fireworks display on the way. Liberty Opry is another addition to that list of what constitutes “Americana”.
Ann Carol Goldberg