Ricky Nelson Remembered at The Spencer 11/20

Topping off his compelling rock n' roll music career, which included more than 30 top 40 hits between 1957 & 1962, the amazingly talented Ricky Nelson recorded GArden Party, a 1972 blockbuster he wrote following a concert at Madison Square Garden. The rakishly charming artist, who was the very first "teen idol" (a term coined on his behalf by a magazine reporter) would die in a plane crash a few years later in 1985, leaving a rock n' roll and country-rock legacy that is only matched by his friends and peers, Elvis Presley and Pat Boone.

Nelson was the first rock star to be a true child of radio and television. His parents, Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson and Harriet Hilliard were successful big band musicians in the 1930s and early 1940s, before moving to radio with the launch of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, one of the most successful TV sitcoms of all time. In the series, the family played itself amid real life situations; little Ricky, as well as his older brother David, was himself in the family drama, and because of his lure to rock music, eventually talked his father into letting him close shows performing rock n' roll. He chose Fat Dominoes I'm Walkin', as his first broadcast tune, and it was a definite triumph that helped to accelerate his career outside of the TV box. Both during and after "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" ended its successful run in 1966, Ricky's heart was focused on his music career, recording such mega-hits as A Teenagers Romance, Be-Bop Baby, Have I Told You That I Love You, Traveling Man, Hello Mary Lou, Teenage Idol, My Buckets Got A Hole In It, It's Late, Fools Rush In and GArden Party, among other hits.

He also performed to positive reviews in various movies and TV dramas like "Rio Bravo" and "The Streets of San Francisco," all the while performing with his Stone Canyon Band across the country.

Along the way, he married a beautiful childhood friend, named Kristen Harmon, and came to father four children. Two of his children, identical twin sons Gunnar and Matthew, became rock and roll stars in their own right, releasing several number one songs in the 1980s and early 90s like their hit tune Love and Affection. The duo has recorded six popular CDs including their 2006 tribute to their father entitled, "Like Father, Like Sons."

On Saturday, November 20 at 7 p.m. the brothers and their Stone Canyon Band come to the Spencer to perform "Ricky Nelson Remembered," a concert packed with Ricky's great tunes and the Nelson brothers sweetly harmonized vocals. The concert will be a multi-media affair featuring rare footage of Ricky with his young family, as well as home scenes with Ozzie an Harriet and clips from their popular TV show.

The Nelson extravaganza, which includes a pre-performance Angus burger buffet (with a choice of 21 toppings plus sweet potato fries and pumpkin cheese cake) in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m. Tickets are available for both the concert ($59 & $56) and buffet ($20). Call the Spencer Box Office at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets.

* Traveling fans interested in spending the night in Ruidoso are invited to take advantage of the special Shop & Rock Ricky Weekend Package offered by Hotel Ruidoso in downtown Rudoso. The package includes two nights at the midtown luxury hotel (in Ruidoiso's pedestrian shopping district) plus two performance tickets at an all inclusive rate. Call the hotel at 575.257.2007 or go to www.hotelruidoso.net for reservations!

Next up:

• LORRIE MORGAN ACOUSTIC Sat Nov 27 at 7 p.m. ($69 & $66). A four-time Female Vocalist of the Year, Morgan sings her country hits (Five Minutes, Something in Red, Watch Me and What Part of No) as well as works from her latest CD I Walk Alone. She'll be joined on stage by Mark Oliverius on keyboards, Todd Woosly on guitar and Marcia Ware with background vocals.

• Forever Plaid's Holiday Edition, PLAID TIDINGS Fri Dec 3 at 7 p.m. & Sat Dec 4 at 1 p.m. ($59 & $56) The best of the hit Broadway musical comedy Forever Plaid tied-up in a nifty Christmas package with loads of comedy and swinging holiday favorites.

• THE NUTCRACKER, starring Ruidoso Dance Ensemble Sat Dec 18 at 2 PM & 7PM ($28). Original adaption of beloved Christmas classic features gorgeous sets & costumes with 50+ outstanding student & professional dancers.

• FLYING J WRANGLERS CHRISTMAS Tues Dec 21 at 7 p.m. ($29 & $26). Western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in a program of traditional favorites and new and classic western/cowboy Christmas songs, instrumentals and homespun comedy.

• OKLAHOMA! Sun Jan 2 at 2 PM ($69 & $66). Rodgers & Hammerstein's Tony-winning musical set in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma; People Will Say We're In Love, Oh What A Beautiful Mornin', Surrey With A Fringe On Top.

• GUILD VALENTINE SOIREE Sun Feb 13 at 6:30PM ($50). Taking place on the elegantly decorated Spencer stage, the celebration includes a gourmet three-course dinner, two complimentary cocktails and dancing to the Michael Francis Trio.

• ALL SHOOK UP Mon Feb 14 at 7PM ($69 & $66). Features more than 24 Elvis hits, this feel-good, award-winning musical is about a stranger who kick-starts a chain reaction of romances and rebellion with his rockin' music in a small Midwestern town.

• THE TEN TENORS Sun Feb 20 at 7PM ($69 & $66). Australia's most debonair musical export features 10 stylin' lads, opera buffa, rock-tinged zaniness and Aussie folk tunes.

• LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL Tues Mar 15 at 7PM ($69 & $66). Lobby Buffet at 5PM ($20) A turbo-charged Broadway musical comedy about a darling sorority gal who goes for a law degree after getting dumped by her boyfriend. Stars 30 singers, dancers and orchestra musicians.

• JOHN CONLEE Sat Mar 26 at 7 PM ($59 & $56). Lobby Buffet at 5 PM ($20). Swinging from sad to soulful, humorous to uplifting in a heartbeat, this singer-songwriter has a lit of sparkling country hits: Rose Colored Glasses, Lady Lay Down, Backside of Thirty, I'm Only in it for the Love.

• THE 39 STEPS Thu Apr 14 at 7PM ($59 & $56). Where Hitchcock meets hilarious, this multi-award-winning comedy is a who-done-it that's part drama, part farce - and definitely an athletic event with over 150 character costume changes, loads of laughter, mystery & intrigue.

• NIKKI YANOFSKY Sat Apr 23 at 7 PM ($59 & $56). Having wowed crowds from Kennedy Center to Carnegie Hall, this 16-year-old recording artist has been called a "jazz kitten" for her pitch-perfect vocals, stunning nuance and emotional delivery of original tunes and favorites by Ella Fitgerald, Billie Holiday & Norah Jones.

• PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS Sat May 7 at 7 PM ($69 & $66) Lobby Buffet at 5PM ($20). Packed with personality, this legendary rock band has been called "the greatest show band on earth" for slapstick stage antics and gold & platinum hits: Indian Reservation, Louie Louie, Ups and Downs, Hungry, Kicks. Steppin' Out. Presented by Richard & Jocelyn Williams.

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