Cape May Opry Presents NASHVILLE COMES TO CAPE MAY, 8/12

Tap your toe and clap your hands on Sunday, August 12 when Barry Tischler, with East Lynne Theater Company, presents "Cape May Opry: Nashville Comes to Cape May." Cape May is home to many fine musicians, and Barry has gathered a few of them for this one-night only special event at 8:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street in Cape May, where ELTC is in residence. "City of New Orleans," "Train to Birmingham," and "Help Me Make It Through the Night" are just a few of the hits planned for the evening. Along with the music, Susan Tischler will be supplying the laughs with her own version of Minnie Pearl.
Musicians include Barry Tischler, Ed Dobbs, Debra Donahue, J. M. Kearns, Rose Kelly, Syd Kelly, Bernadette Matthews, Glenn McBrearty, MQ Murphy, John Nesbitt, Jimm Ross, Andy Vernon, and Gordon Vincent.

Organizing "Cape May Opry" is Barry Tischler who's been singing country songs since he was 19, playing honky-tonks from Pittsburgh, PA to Wheeling, WV with his bands "Evergreen" and "The Country Wheels." In Cape May he plays regularly at the Pilot House and the Mad Batter Restaurant, and co-hosts Open Mic Night at the Pilot House.

Like Barry, Roy Baker has been singing and playing guitar since he was a teenager, joining in in acoustic jams in the '60's and '70's in Cape May. He's been away from the Cape May music scene for awhile, but now he's back, with his blend of music and humor.

The husband and wife team of Debra Donahue and J.M. Kearns are well-known to Cape May musicians and patrons. Debra started her singing career with choral work, but is now best known for her solo singing and for being a virtuoso nose flautist. J.M. Kearns developed his singer-songwriter skills in Nashville where he played legendary venues such as the Bluebird and Douglas Corner. Several of his songs have been recorded by other artists.

Rose Kelly has been playing professionally in the area with some of the finest musicians Cape May has to offer for over 25 years. She is also a case manager for South Jersey Home Care and sometimes shows up at area nursing homes to belt out a tune.

Syd Kelly, a performer and songwriter, has played in Cape May County for 30 years. Her original band played at The Old Shire Tavern in Cape May and currently she performs at The Inn of Cape May on Fridays from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on the "Rockin' Porch," and at the Pilot House.

Although newer to the Cape May music scene, Glenn McBrearty has been "hootin'" with fellow musicians for years in living rooms, porches and basements.

Bernadette Matthews began singing as a soloist in her church's Children's Choir. Because her singing talent was sought for a variety of events, she was once dubbed the "wedding and funeral singer." Bernadette was lead singer for "Fixed Head Architecture Band," performing at IBM recognition events and other venues. She is the Executive Director of the not-for-profit Center for Community Arts and a regular performer at Open Mic Night at the Pilot House.

MQ. Murphy bought his first guitar in 1964, and only puts it down to ply his other trade as a carpenter. He knows that a notebook and a guitar are a lot easier to transport than a truckload of tools, and that choruses and verses don't weigh as much as bundles of roofing shingles.

Gordon Vincent was a finalist in "Billboard Magazine's" "Independent World Series" and an "emerging artist" at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Gordon has been called a "master musician who works his audience as well as anyone" and "a true poet." He just released his fifth studio CD, "Firefly," featuring Grammy-nominee, the late George Mesterhazy.
Back-up musicians include Ed Dobbs and Andy Vernon who have played with many groups in South Jersey.

Susan Tischler, a.k.a. "Minnie Pearl," does not sing country although, as a coal miner's daughter, she grew up listening to nothing but Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. She loves comedy, and Minnie Pearl is right up her alley. In 2008, East Lynne Theater Company's artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth commissioned her to adapt "Putnam's Household Handbook" for the stage. Directed by Karen Case Cook, this comedy, "Helpful Hints," has been performed in several Cape May venues, and is one of ELTC's popular touring shows. She was also in ELTC's "Cape May v. Johan Van Buren" and is one of the actors hired to do cold readings for ELTC's Playwriting Workshop in March.

The First Presbyterian Church is joining in the fun by offering a three course pre-show pulled-pork dinner. Tickets for "Cape May Opry" are $20, and $30 if having dinner and seeing the show. For reservations and information call ELTC at 884-5898 or go online to: www.eastlynnetheater.org.

 

 

 

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