Country & Western Singer, Doug Stone,
Delivers Quality Show in Civic Center,
Friday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Nashville crooner, Doug Stone, was joined on the stage of the Hopkins County Civic Center,
Friday night, by Ore City native, CheyAne Smith, in concert.

 

Country and Western music fans flocked to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Auditorium, on Friday night, to hear the smooth and mellow ballads of singer Doug Stone, as he delivered a quality performance before the crowd. Songs like "I'd Be Better Off In A Pine Box," "More Love," and "Why Didn't I Think Of That," that Stone had earlier made hits on the Country and Western Top 40 Billboard, were joined by some newer songs that he has just released.

Stone was joined on stage by up and coming C&W star, CheyAne Smith, who is a native of Ore City, Texas, and provided the opening act for the concert. Smith sang "Broken Wings" and "My Old Pick-up Truck" from her CD, that had concert goers identifying with the lyrics and asking for more of her songs.

 

 

Stone opened his performance with "In A Different Light" and  ended the string of 20 songs with "I'd Be Better Off In A Pine Box." In between were a string of former hits and new releases on his 2007 "My Turn" Album and 2008 "American Legend" Album, including one of my favorites, "Don't Tell Mama," that chronicles a young man dying in an automobile accident, with whiskey on his breath......"the last thing on his mind ....Don't tell Mama I was drinking, Lord knows her sorrow would never end....I can't leave this world with Mama thinkin' I met the Lord with whiskey on my breath!"

 

 

 

Earlier releases of "I Thought It Was You" ......."I heard there is just one special love in this life, Girl, I thought it was you...." and "I Was Too Busy Bein' In Love" were mixed with a newer, "We're All About That," that had  an up-beat tempo, and "I Was Born in the Dark, But It Wasn't Last Night." Stone's easy listening melodies and lonesome ballads had local fans singing along with their favorites, like "They Ought To Put Warning Labels On Sad Country Songs" and "I Never Knew Love."

"I can sit all night and listen to Doug Stone," proclaimed one local fan. "His easy listening sound and the lyrics of all of his songs have a meaning, a meaning that grabs your heart and tugs at the strings!"

 

 

During the show, Stone asked the audience how many of them had bought his last CD. With a show of only a few hands he quipped, "that's the reason my kids are going naked!" "They're constantly sayin', "My daddy's Doug Stone, that's the reason we go naked!"

 

 

Smith's list of songs included: "Hello God," "Rise Up," "I'd Be There For You," and "Hold On Tight." The young rising star has been booked all across Northeast Texas and will have upcoming performances in several nearby venues.

 

 

 

"It was a quality show and one that was a wonderful way to spend a springtime Friday night," expressed one of the local patrons, as they left the Civic Center at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Both Stone and Smith stayed and signed autographs, meeting the fans that purchased their CD's, and having a number of photographs made.

 

 

 

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