Johnny Rogers' Buddy & Beyond at Spencer Theatre

From Branson to Las Vegas, showman Johnny Rogers is in the business of bringing yesteryear's music and history of rock 'n' roll to life with his outstanding music tribute to the great Buddy Holly and legends beyond.

From "That'll Be The Day," "Maybe Baby" and "Oh Boy," Buddy Holly influenced the cutting edge styles and sounds of such standouts as Elvis, the Beatles, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, and no-one captures the essence of this true music icon like Roger's.

Together with his rollicking band, Johnny gives us an uncanny portrayal of Buddy, a tribute style that has gained endorsement from both members of Buddy's immediate family and band. Additional honors include playing before four U.S. Presidents; induction into the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame this past September, and selection as Best of Show two years in a row in Branson. The man gives his all in concert, and folks who have attended his shows return time and time again to capture his infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds

Of course, Johnny isn't the only performer in the show, and Buddy isn't the only legend recognized.

In Johnny Rogers Buddy & Beyond, patrons get to travel along a veritable timeline of music and experience the progression of rock in tunes by artists directly inspired by Holly. Whether shaking your hips to the sounds of The King, reminiscing over the heartbreak crooning of Roy Orbison, catching the guitar style of Johnny Cash or delighting in Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire," each tribute throughout Buddy & Beyond is sure to strike a chord.

Rogers and his band appear at the Spencer Theater on Friday, November 18 cat 7 p.m. in a concert is presented in-part by Dan & Joy Stoddard. Excellent seats starting at just $39 are available at the Spencer Box Office. Go to www.spencertheater.com or call 575.336.4800 for tickets. A pre-show smoked beef brisket buffet ($20) is also available in the lobby at 5 p.m.

Next up:

• DAILEY & VINCENT - Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. ($39-$69). This bluegrass music super group is one of the top string bands in the country. Muti-award winners across the board, this eight man band leads with mesmerizing vocal harmonies, fast-fingered picking, a cappella gospel, old time country and crispy clear bluegrass melodies. Sponsored in-part by Fusion Medical Spa. Pre-show baked ranch chicken lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• THE NUTCRACKER featuring Ruidoso's Dalí Ballet Company - Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 18 at 2 p.m. ($30).

This original adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic is true eye-candy with outstanding dancers, lavish sets, special effects and gorgeous costumes. Performance proceeds benefit the nonprofit Dalí Ballet.

• ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL'S "MERRY TEXAS CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!" Thursday, December 22 at 7 p.m. ($39-$79). With Texas twin fiddles and boogie piano, great vocals and sizzling guitars, this 8 member band gives us popular western swing and distinctive Wheel favorites like "Christmas in Jail," "Swingin' Drummer Man" and "Merry Texas Christmas Y'all." Pre-show bourbon glazed ham lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• PAVLO, Mediterranean guitar sensation - Sunday, January 29 at 2 p.m. ($39-$59). Fusing music flamenco, Greek, Latin, Balkan and classical into an utterly mesmerizing sound, Pavlo's "Mediterranean" guitar and his band on bouzouki, bass & percussion makes for an intoxicating night of original music. Pre-show Mediterranean pizza & salad lobby buffet ($20) at 12 p.m. (noon).

• THE CARPENTERS TRIBUTE featuring Michelle Whited

- Saturday, February 11 at 7 p.m. ($39-$79). This singer's spot-on phrasing of Karen Carpenter's sound and soothing, sultry voice is remarkable! She shares this beauty with her five-piece backing band for a night of easy-listening and soulful intensity:" We've Only Just Begun," "Top of the World, "Close To You" and more. Pre-show baked tilapia filet lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• THE FIVE IRISH TENORS "Voices of Ireland" - Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. ($39-$89). Singing in combinations of tenor solos, duets, trios, quartets and quintets these lads fuse Irish wit and boisterous charm with lyricism and operatic style: "Toora-Loora-Loora," "Danny Boy," My Wild Rose," and folk rock favorites like "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." Pre-show grilled thin-cut pork chops lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• IN THE MOOD, A 1940'S MUSICAL REVUE - Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ($39-$79). A jazzy, sentimental, rhythmic, and deeply nostalgic musical revue with lush arrangements, era-perfect costumes, a 13-piece orchestra and the fabulous In The Mood singers and dancers. Sponsored in-part by Ronald & Sandra Carroll. Pre-show fried chicken lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• ALTAN - Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. ($39-$79).

No traditional Irish band has had a larger impact on the world that Altan! These Irish virtuosos weave harmony and counterpoint into their hard-hitting reels and jigs on guitar, fiddles, accordion, tin whistles and even bouzouki with a genuine love audiences adore. Pre-show slow roast pot roast lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• GENTRI, The Gentlemen Trio - Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. $39-$79). These debonair vocalists and Broadway leads (Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast) blend their superb tenor vocals into a Signature Sound called "Cinematic Pop" - clasical/pop crossover. Their immediate success as a trio and original song "Dare" has placed them on the Top 10 Billboard charts. Dynamic three-part harmony with epic arrangements! Pre-show Angus beef meatloaf lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• GREATER TUNA - Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. (($39-$79). This multi-act spoof on small town Texas life features 2 actors, 20 characters and 20 million laughs! Timeless skits with unforgettable characters. Directed at the Spencer by Tuna original Jaston Williams, the comedy's co-creator and award-winning co-star.
Pre-show deep fried catfish filet lobby buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• DREW THOMAS MAGIC - Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. ($39-$89). This architect of grand illusions and electrifying entertainment uses ordinary objects like power tools and spray paint in fresh, electrifying magic. A finalist on "America's Got Talent," Drew and his crew of angels have entertained more than 100 million+ worldwide, always delivering the impossible and making believers out of skeptics. Pre-show pan roasted airline chicken buffet ($20) at 5 p.m.

• THE NEW MEXICHORDS with special guests Blue Steele - Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. ($25-$39). More than 30 men compose this award-winning barbershop chorus and chapter quartets that sing four-part, close-cropped, a capella harmonies including "76 Trombones" and "Love Me, and the World is Mine." These boys are New Mexico true! Pre-show green chile shrimp or chicken pasta ($20) lobby buffet at 12 p.m. (noon).
Sponsored in-part by New Mexico Arts.

The Spencer Theater is at 108 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. Visit www.spencertheater.com.

Fall-Winter-Spring Season 2016 is sponsored in part by The Hugh Bancroft Jr. Foundation, Eleganté Lodge & Suites, KOBR Channel 8, MTD Media, Walton Stations of New Mexico with additional season support from, Inn of the Mountain Gods, Ruidoso Ford-Lincoln, R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, Su Casa Magazine, Rainmakers Golf & Lifestyle Community, Comcast Spotlight, KEDU 102.3 FM Big Oldies, Burt Broadcasting, Carlsbad Radio, Majestic Communications, Ruidoso.net, and First National Bank of Ruidoso.

Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located in the Sacramento Mountain settlement of Alto, about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating, and excellent artistry are the Spencer's celebrated features. The elegant, award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the 4,770 square-foot stage. The Spencer also has a 964 square-foot outdoor stage that can seat 1,500. From its Spanish mica-flecked limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Free public tours are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. Donations are accepted!

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