Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Famer Tony Douglas and his award winning band, The Shrimpers will headline a special edition of the Llano Country Opry on Saturday, May 10. The show will be held at the Lantex Theater in Llano.
The two and a half hour show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $12 per person. Tickets are now on sale at the Llano Chamber of Commerce, Llano National Bank, Kinglsand Chamber of Commerce or by calling (325) 247-5354.
Douglas was born near Athens, and began performing as a weekly guest on Forth Worth’s Cowtown Hoedown in 1956. He made his first record “Ole Blue Monday” that same year. While performing on the show, Johnny Horton’s manager Tillman Franks asked Douglas to be a guest on the popular Louisianna Hayride in Shreveport.
Douglas then signed a three-year contract to become a Hayride regular. In 1958, the manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville caught Douglas performing and offered him a contract. Douglas was ready to sign when he realized that signing with the Opry meant an automatic move from Texas to Tennessee.
He gave up the invitation to join the prestigious show and remain in Texas. In 1961, Douglas struck gold with the song “Shrimpin,” and developed a name for his band. The hits would continue to follow including “My Last Day,” “Layin In The Sunshine,” “Don’t Piddle Around A Puddle” and “Worst of Luck.”
In 1962, Douglas’ guitar player Chuck Jennings penned “His and Hers” for his bossman. That song became an immediate hit and landed personal appearances all over the country for Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers. Douglas most recently recorded the song as a duet with Brownwood native Kelly Spinks along with “Mention My Name.”
Another standout arrived in 1972, when Douglas recorded “Thank You For Touching My Life.”
“Thank You For Touching My Life” has truly been a God send for my career,” Douglas said from his Athens home. “It did so much for me and when Dot picked up the album and promoted it all over the country, we couldn’t keep them in the stores.”
Sims Records recently released a brand new box set containing thirty of Douglas’s recordings from the 1960s. This collection will be available along with his just re-released “Tony Douglas Live” album that was recorded in Meridian, Mississippi at the Jimmie Rodgers Festival.
“I am looking forward to being in Llano,” Douglas said. “It has been a long time since the Shrimpers and I played in Llano. I hope that some of our friends and fans will come to the concert.”
Corey Elrod will be presented as part of the show. Elrod is a champion fiddler and is coming down from Alabama to entertain. He has his first album currently available with the single “Last Kiss” getting rave reviews all over the cournty.
“We are excited to present “Mr. Nice Guy” Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers at the Llano Country Opry,” Opry MC Tracy Pitcox said. “Tony played many dates in Llano including at the Lantex Theater in the early 1950s and then several dances at the old Ramblin Rose club. He always pleases his fans.”
Llano Country Opry favorite Kimberley Murray will be enjoying an album release party during the opry show. Murray’s debut album “Once Upon A Time In A Honky Tonk” will be available during the performance. The project was produced by Justin Trevino and features both Trevino and Jake Hooker.
Other entertainers on the show will include Jimmy Depoy. Gayle Holley, Laurie Lee, Dottie Jack, Jim Loessberg, Ben Watson, Lonnie Atkinson, Bucille Snotgrass, Shane Lively, Don Ricketson and Tony Pickens. Tracy Pitcox will MC the show.
For a complete look at upcoming Llano and Mason Country Opry shows, log on to www.heartoftexascountry.com.