Special to rrspin.com by Rhonda Mayer

The idea of a summer series of concerts at the Royal Palace Theatre featuring local talent and affordable prices is an experiment of sorts.

The Royal Palace Theater joined forces with a Hobgood based production company – DPR Productions – to create something extraordinary.

The goal was to offer Nashville quality entertainment that was within the budget of Halifax County citizens and see if it would sell. Two very different styles of shows were developed.

(For more information on Friday’s show visit this link. More information on the August show may be found at this link. Additional information may be found on the concert series Facebook page)

First, a hybrid band, Conoho Creek was organized just for this series.

The band centers on Hall of Fame guitarist Ronnie Waters of Tarboro.

Waters traveled the country in years past playing with the likes of the Louvin Brothers, the Tams, Maurice and the Zodiacs, and George Strait.

He does studio work for innumerable artists and currently plays with Nantucket. Add drummer Curtis “Crash” Bearden, who played with the rock band Mariah during the ‘80s, and you have the core of the band.

Bass guitar player and vocalist Robbie Hendricks from Diggerfoot and Tommy Hayes of KB and the Shifters round out this group.

Eyes of Emiline

Then, hot new singing sensation, the Eyes of Emiline, joined the mix. The result is amazing. It really has to be seen to be believed.

They have done one concert already and another is planned Friday and then in August.

The Hobgood Players are the centerpiece of a Branson style show. The Hobgood Players – Charles Cross, Sharon Hackney, Ricky Hale, and Jo Ann Josey – are a group of singers from Hobgood at the southern tip of Halifax County.

They have been performing for years independently, but began working together about six years ago to help raise money to revitalize the Town Of Hobgood.

They play to sold out crowds at the Hobgood Depot with shows such as “A Hobgood Hee-Haw,” “The Fabulous Forties – A USO Show,” and “Golden Oldies of the ‘50s.” With DPR Productions, they developed “A Salute to the Country Legends” for the Royal Palace, adding Luke Whitehead as an emcee and comedian, Progressions Dance Center, and Top Hat Ballroom dancers, Carl and Joy Williams and Norman and Ella Mae Hooker of Goldsboro.

The Hobgood Players.

This was a big hit with the Royal Palace audience. This show played in June, but the cast will also present “Hats Off to the USO” on July 26 and August 9.

The audience steps back in time to participate in a USO show in the South Pacific during World War II.

The Players will reprise the music, dance, and jokes of the era including the likes of Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope.

These delightful shows are sponsored in part by Halifax County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Royal Palace Theatre, and DPR Productions.