Slap’n Leather Sounds at Country Roundup

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mesquite Community Theater hosted the sounds of Slap’N Leather on Thursday evening, April 20 at a Country Roundup.

Playing to an almost full house were Country Bill Clark – that shy guy from Kentucky; Norman Ray; and our not so shy, local guy Joe Sherman, from Beaver Dam, Arizona.

Country Bill Clark, is a nationally-known singer that has won many awards. He travels the country performing. Clark led off with a Patriotic song that moved the audience.

Joe Sherman livens up any stage with his energy and passionate singing. Everyone loved his rendition of “Hats.”

What comes to mind when I think or hear that shy guy Norman Ray is “Soul Medication.” His mellow voice, no matter what song he is singing just relaxes any tensions you may have.

Included in the roundup was cowboy poet Russ Westwood, who gave great renderings of cowboy humor. The audience loved it.

No matter how fine the singing voices or the poetry was, the undisputable hit of the night were the Mesquite Recreation Center Lifelong Cloggers. The energy, the smiles and the clogging sounds brought the audience enthusiasm to loud cheers and whistles.

Cindy Pixley and Dennis Glynn, snowbirds from Boise said, “We try to get to all the shows at the theater and support them. We are very impressed with what Mesquite has to offier, especially the Theater and the Recreation Center.”

The show itself was pleasing to the audience and after intermission they created a campfire roundup on the stage with all the country performers.

However, at that point the singers plugged in their guitars. All the beautiful songs sung by Norman Ray and Bill Clark, could not be heard over the guitars. Sherman’s songs could be heard, either his sound level was not turned as high or his voice deep enough to overcome. Sound in the second half was the only flaw in the show. All in all, it was a great Slap’N Leather night.

Country Bill Clark was heading for Colorado after the performance. But he said, “This turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be. The attendance was good and the audience was great.”

Norman Ray plays at the Cinnamon Café on Friday nights and Peggy Sue’s on Tuesdays. Joe Sherman will be appearing May 6-7 at Beaver Dam Bar. Cowboy Poet Russ Westwood will be appearing in the Old Relief Society building in Washington City Utah, on April 29.