Roxy holds annual W.C. Handy’s Evening at the Roxy Great Pretenders Show
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 By  María Camp Published 
4:12 pm Thursday, July 18, 2024

Roxy holds annual W.C. Handy’s Evening at the Roxy Great Pretenders Show

Downtown Russellville’s Historic Roxy Theatre held its annual Great Pretenders show July 1. Chase Sparks gave the welcome, introduced the emcee and was the stage manager, Katernia Cole Coffey.

Performers

  • Gunner Lane sang “The Goodness of God” by Cece Winans.
  • Keylee Mayfield sang “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong.
  • Dana Hill sang “Girls Night Out” by The Judds.
  • Buford Parker sang “I Can See You With My Eyes Closed” by Ray Price.
  • Ariel Cothrum sang “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from “Smash.”
  • Angela Townsel sang “Landslide” by Stevie Nix.
  • Caroline Sparks sang “Something’s Got a Hold On Me” by Etta James.
  • Sydney Medley sang “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.
  • Bruce Hamilton sang “And I am Telling You That I Am Not Going” from “Dream Girl.”
  • Lily Cate Pace sang “At Last” by Etta James.

About the Performers

Gunner Lane is pursuing his dream in the radio business. He has a business called “Main Street Media”. He graduated from Tharptown High School and attended Northwest Shoals Community College. He works at Axis Sound & Lighting Equipment. He has been in several productions at the Roxy.

Keylee Mayfield is 11 years old and an upcoming sixth grader at Russellville Middle School. She enjoys singing, softball, volleyball, going to church and partaking in the Roxy shows, including the Christmas Spectacular and Salute to Broadway. She takes voice lessons at Love to Sing Studio with Tara Greenhill and baton twirling at Studio X-treme with Heather Davis.

Dana Hill  grew up in Belgreen. She has always enjoyed singing as a hobby. She has performed at local festivals and events, talent shows and in several contest, winning at the North Alabama State Fair twice. She entertained American troops and families in Europe as part of a DOD/USO Entertainment group in 1998.

She teaches second grade at Belgreen and still enjoys singing at local events and in her church choir.

Buford Parker is known in the community and the surrounding area for his Ray Price performances. He has participated in many shows at the Roxy. He is the publisher and editor of The Source Historical Magazine.

Ariel Cothrum is 10 years old and the daughter of Erica and Brandon Cothrum. She loves to sing and enjoys performing in musicals at the Roxy. When not on the stage, she can be found at home watching “Stranger Things.”

Angela Townsel has performed at the Roxy a number of times. She also sings at her church regularly. Her full-time job is at the Franklin County Courthouse in the Probate Office.

Caroline Sparks is the daughter of Philip and Andrea Sparks. She is pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Northwest Shoals Community College and will graduate in December. She has been singing for as long as she can remember and loves playing any instrument she can, as well as writing her own songs.

Sydney Medley attends the University of North Alabama where she is majoring in Elementary Education. She works as a kindergarten aide at Russellville West Elementary and for the RES Afterschool Program. She owns an online menswear store called Kyle and Company Menswear. She is a graduate of Russellville High School where she was active in a number of organizations and was crowned Miss RHS 2020. She was third runner-up to Miss UNA, a preliminary for the Miss Alabama Pageant. She has performed at the Roxy and other community events.

Bruce Hamilton is a graduate of Russellville High School. He resides in Russellville and is a freelance interior decorator and landscaper.

Lily Cate Pace will begin her sophomore year at Russellville High School this year. She is a cheerleader and a member of the RHS Varsity tennis team, as well as a member of the Christian Students United, the Student Praise Band at Tharptown Baptist Church and is a Peer Helper. Her parents are Brian and Jennifer Pace and Jenny and Jeremy Reed.

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