Flying J Wranglers of Alto Come to the Spencer Theater, 12/13

Bringing the beautiful message of Christmas to the Spencer stage - cowboy style- are the world famous Flying J Wranglers of Alto. These longtime Lincoln County entertainers celebrate the heritage of the west and the spiritual wealth of the holiday season with rich melodious western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in soaring renditions of spirituals like "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Beautiful City," and old time cowboy Christmas tunes like "Corn, Water and Wood," "Christmas For Cowboys" and "Yuletide Yodel." The exceptional beauty of songs like "Virgén María" and "Mary Did You Know?" resonates with power, as do new works like an a-cappella version of the traditional religious carol "The First Noel." (The latter is included in the Flying J Wrangler's most recent western flavored Christmas CD). Rounding off the night's repertoire are Flying J originals like James' "Riding to Ruidoso" and "White Mountain Christmas"; sizzling hot western instrumentals and ballads, and lots of down-home Flying J Wrangler humor for which the Flying J Wranglers have long won acclaim.

The outstanding performance group appear in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 13. Excellent seats are available for $30 at the Spencer Theater Box Office. Call 336-4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for ticket information.

Who's Who

The Flying J Wranglers are master musicians and entertainers who've showcased original western harmonies, instrumentals and comedy to over 44,000 summertime visitors at their Flying J Ranch (chuck wagon & stage show) for 30 years. Their Christmas show, first staged in 2001 and refreshed with new songs & comedy each holiday season, is now toured to a dozen-plus western towns and cities including gigs in Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, New Braunfels, and El Paso, Texas; Alamogordo and Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Adored by many for their authenticity and commitment to western heritage and humor, the Flying J Wranglers were established in 1982 by rhythm guitarist James Hobbs, whose grandfather founded the N.M. city of Hobbs. James is an accomplished singer and songwriter whose works glow with lovely sentiments and gentle lyricism. His ballad, Song of New Mexico, listed by the Academy of Western Artists as one of the top 10 Western Songs in the 1990's, has twice been nominated by state legislators to be the official state song.
James' wife Cindy, the Wrangler's main vocalist, is distinguished by her powerful and beautiful three-octave voice. A Tennessee native, she is a Western Style Female National Yodeling champion and has been nominated twice as Best Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists. She
is also a brilliant jester, channeling up mock regional characters whose good-natured absurdities have become as famous as the group's harmonies.
Multi-instrumentalist RAndy Jones is considered one of most skilled and versatile musicians in the entire region, an absolute virtuoso on guitar, mandolin, banjo and dobro. Randy is also a strong vocal performer who many in the Ruidoso area remember from his 15-year career with the "Moon Pie Dance Band" of El Paso, Texas, a regional favorite.
California native Corinna Ripple first joined the Wranglers in the summer of 2007. She is a talented vocalist, harmony singer, and outstanding fiddle player all wrapped up in a 5' 1'' package with an infectious laugh and a great big smile! Corinna, who graduated in 2009 with a degree in commercial music from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, was honored as the school's Female Instrumentalist of the Year in Bluegrass Music and Bluegrass Vocalist, and as Female Instrumentalist of the Year in Country and Western Swing.
Colton Boyles, the group's acoustic bass guitarist, is the newest member of the Wrangler's, having joined the band this past summer season. Hailing from Lubbock, Texas, he started playing right handed guitars backwards as soon as he was old enough to hold them, but moved on to a left handed guitar at age 13. Following high school, Colton performed with college buddies in the bands Garagemajal (drums) and with Spirits of Music, playing bass guitar and singing lead vocals. His mastery of music includes sound technology, and when not singing with the Wranglers, he works freelance as a sound technician and is an independent commercial and residential insurance claims adjuster. Colton enjoys studying conspiracy theories, economic history and nutrition. He is also the son-in-law of James & Cindy.
Baritone singer Greg Meeks is a former member of the Western music group, Sagebrush Sounds, out of the Panhandle of Texas. He is a life-long friend of James, and grew up in a farming and ranching family which helped feed his love for Western and Gospel Music. Whether he is singing the high tenor, the lead harmony, the classic Western baritone, or chipping in a bass part on a gospel song, you never know where Greg will turn up in the show. The retired school teacher (a 33 year career!) started working at the Wranglers' ranch primarily in PR and parking lot administration about six years back, but became a full-time singer with the group three years ago.

Next up:

• The Nutcracker Ruidoso Dance Ensemble Friday & Saturday, December 21-22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 23 at 2 p.m. ($28). An original adaptation featuring outstanding student and guest dancers is virtual eye-candy with dancing nutcrackers, soldiers, sugar plum fairies, mice and little girls and boys!

• Nunset Boulevard starring Cindy Williams Tuesday, January 29 a 7 p.m. ($69 &
$66). Following the zany "Nunsense" adventures, this newest musical comedy is gleeful, boisterous and sinfully funny! The tale takes the sisters to Tinsel town where they get booked to perform at the Hollywood Bowl-A-Rama, which, following heavenly prayers lands them with movie auditions. A laugh a minute. Cindy Williams, former "Laverne & Shirley" star is a charm!
A pre-show chicken fried steak buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

• STOMP The International Percussion Sensation Saturday, February 2 at 7 p.m. ($79 & $76). STOMP is an explosive, sophisticated and sexy production for all ages that has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews from Broadway and beyond. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – poles, brooms, garbage cans, lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. See what all the noise is about.
A pre-show baked chicken buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

• Valentine Dinner & Dance Soiree Thursday, February 14 at 6 p.m. ($55). Taking place on the theater stage, this celebration includes a gourmet three-course dinner, a complimentary cocktail and dancing to the Michael Francis Trio. Hosted by the Guild of the Spencer.

• Monty Python's Spamalot Monday, February 25 at 7 p.m. ($79 & $76) A loving rip-off the classic film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" which loosely tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Features a bevy of beautiful showgirls, cows, killer rabbits and French people. Starring 30 singers, dancers and orchestra musicians.
A pre-show pot roast buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

• Rhythm of the Dance Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. ($69 & $66) A traditional Irish Celtic dance and music extravaganza starring the National Dance Company of Ireland; 22 step-dancers, three tenors and live band.
A corned beef & cabbage buffet is available at 1 p.m. ($20).

• Fiddler on the Roof Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m. ($79 & $76). The universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion as a poor milkman's love of family helps him face the dangerous forces bearing down on the village of Anatevka. Featuring a cast of 30 singers, dancers and orchestra musicians: Tradition, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, If I were A Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset.
A grilled chicken & pasta bar buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20)

• The Fab Four Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. ($69 & $66) Elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute, this uncanny, note-for-note live rendition of Beatles' songs has amazed audiences around the world. Featuring a cast of stellar singers and costume changes reflecting each era of the band's changing career. Can't Buy Me Love, Yesterday, A Day In The Life, Twist and Shout, Here Comes The Sun, Hey Jude.
A fish & chips buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

• The Texas Tenors Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m. ($79 & $76). Three ruggedly handsome Texans with gorgeous tenor voices sing gospel, country, classical and Broadway; The Impossible Dream, O Sole Mio, Nessun Dorma, My Way, Deep In The Heart of Texas. Sponsored by Cindy & Don Wolfel.
A pre-show roast turkey buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

• ELVIS LIVES The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. ($56 & $53) and 7 p.m. ($59 & $56). The only Elvis Tribute to be endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, this sterling tribute features the four finalists from the worldwide Elvis contest and showcases the performers singing Elvis' roaster of timeless hits with a live band, back-up singers and dancers, plus Graceland archives.
An all-shook-up southern fried chicken buffet is available at 5 p.m. ($20).

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY TICKETS

GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872.

ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com. The site offers secure ticket ordering.

BY FAX: series and single tickets can be ordered by fax at (575) 336-0055.

BY E-MAIL: single tickets may be ordered at boxoffice@spencertheater.com.

BY MAIL: Donna Clarke, Box Office Manager, Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, NM 88312

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