The Friends of the Drayton Festival Theatre will present a theatrical tribute to Hank Williams, the King of Country Music.
Hank Williams Live – 1952 stars Joe Matheson, whom critics have praised as “the quintessential voice of Hank Williams.”
There will be two performances at the Drayton Festival Theatre on Nov. 20 at 2 and 8pm.
“The music of Hank Williams is timeless,” said event organizer Ron Ellis. “You just have to look at the phenomenal success of Drayton Entertainment’s Country Legends show to understand the eternal appeal of country music pioneers like Hank Williams.”
Music lovers of all stripes will want to experience the theatrical presentation that features many of Williams’ greatest hits including, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hey Good Lookin’, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry and many more, performed by Matheson as Hank Williams, with a top-notch live band.
“Matheson has incredible stage presence,” said Ellis. “He delivers Williams’ best known songs with passion and outstanding musical skill – Joe’s emotion is palpable.”
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Matheson boasts an impressive career in entertainment.
He has toured Europe, performing in such productions as Rocky Horror and Hair, and has appeared off-Broadway as well as in regional theatres in New York and Vermont. Matheson has performed with theatre companies across Ontario including The Shaw Festival, Stratford’s Shakespearian Festival and Mirvish Productions.
Drayton Entertainment patrons may recognize him as Cameron, in the 2006 production of The Foursome. Most recently, he appeared as Billy Dixon in Toronto’s smash-hit, Jersey Boys.
In addition to starring in the production, Matheson also wrote Hank Williams Live – 1952 while he headlined the grandstand show at the Calgary Stampede, playing to crowds of up to 20,000 people. Since that time, Matheson’s tribute show has entertained sold-out audiences across Canada.
Hank Williams achieved 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953.
His songs have been recorded by hundreds of other notable artists including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, Patsy Cline, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong and B.J. Thomas. Williams’ career was tragically cut short when he died at 29.
On April 12, the Pulitzer Prize board awarded Williams a posthumous special citation that paid tribute to his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.
Tickets for Hank Williams Live – 1952 are $20 for youth 18 and under and $30 for adults. All proceeds from the concerts go directly to aid with beautification projects at the Drayton Festival Theatre. Order by calling the Drayton Festival Theatre Box Office at (519) 638-5555.
