Johnny Cash's The Tennessee 3 Returns to Spencer, 7/23

A live performance by Johnny Cash's Legendary Tennessee Three is unlike any other in the history of music. They are not a tribute band, but rather a group lead by the original guitarist who powered nearly every Johnny Cash stage show and recording for 35 years.

Bob Wootton, who has the same deep vocals of Cash, instituted the unique "boom-chicka-boom" guitar that classifies most of Cash's songs and was nominated, together with retired band drummer W.S. Holland, for six Grammy Awards nominations for their 2007 Johnny Cash tribute album "We Still Miss Someone."

While the band (which includes five accompanying vocalists and musicians) sings and plays Cash's greatest hits (i.e. Folsom Prison Blues, I Still Miss Someone, Ring of Fire, I Walk The Line, I've Got Stripes), folks will be amazed by the sound and spirit of Cash emanating from lead singer Wootton. His identical deep vocals and muted guitar sound are virtually identical to the man-in-black's, and his banter with the audience is rich and insightful.

It was in 1968, just a couple of years after Cash hit the airwaves, that Wootton earned his chance to play with Johnny. The legendary artist's first guitarist, Luther Perkins, had died tragically in a house fire, leaving Johnny with only his drummer W.S. Holland to share the spotlights. Shortly thereafter, at a concert in Arkansas, Wootton was asked by June Carter to join Cash on stage. His style proved perfect. The partnering became a 35-year relationship during which time Wootton actually developed that great freight train sound that became signatory to Cash's music.

The Tennessee Three has cut two CDs and to tour in concert throughout Europe and the U.S. Check out their historic sound in Cash's hit songs in this encore performance - live inside the acoustically supreme Spencer at 8 p.m. Friday, July 23! Excellent seats are available for $59 & $56. Call the Box Office at 575.336.4800 for tickets.

Next up:

• Chamber Music Festival in Ruidoso, Jul 30 & Jul 31

2010 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Fri Jul 30:at 6 p.m. Fabulous Festival Fling, a gala fundraising party, $30 •

Concert: Jasper String Quartet at 8 p.m., $49 adults; $25 ages 18 and under.

Sat, Jul 31:10 a.m. Jasper String Quartet at 10; FREE for children. Tickets required. • Pre-Concert Talk, Mezzanine at 1 p.m.;

2 p.m. Concert: Ray Chen, Violinist, $49 adults; $25 ages 18 and under

8 p.m. Concert: Mariangela Vacatello, Pianist, $49 adults; $25 ages 18 & under

• THE TURTLES starring FLO & EDDIE Sat Aug 7 at 8 p.m. ($79 & $76) Comical singing duo Flo & Eddie of the hit ‘60's folk rock pop group, The Turtles, perform their hits Happy Together, Elenor, It Ain't Me Babe, Grim Reaper of Love in the Sky

• ROY CLARK Sat Aug at 2 p.m. ($59 & $56)& 8 ($69 & $66) Walton Stations of New Mexico presents this multi-award winning banjo & guitar artist, country singer, "Hee-Ha" and Grand Ole Opry entertainer. When I Was Young, , Take Me as I Am (Or Let Me Go), Rose Colored Glasses, Alabama Jubilee, Malaguena.

• SPENCER LOBSTERFEST FUND RAISER Sat Aug 21 at 6 p.m. ($100) All-you-can eat whole lobster or tails (your choice) and fixings! Cash bars. Snazzy jazz, light rock, blues and soul music at this scrumptious affair!

• NEARLY NEIL AND THE SOLITARY BAND Sat, Aug 28 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66). Singing the sequin-adorned star's mega-hits like Sweet Caroline, Holly Holly, Red, Red Wine, Kentucky Woman, I Got The Feelin' (Oh No No), September Morn, Cherry Cherry.

• RAY PRICE Tues, Aug 31 at 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. ($ 69 & $66). Legendary western crooner with the 4/4 beat has award-winning hit recordings that go back decades: Your Cheatin' Heart to Stardust, Danny Boy and Good Times to How Great Thou Art, Crazy Arms, Release Me, You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, City Lights and San Antonio Rose. Sponsored by the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation.

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Summer Season 2010 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

Summer Season 2010 is sponsored in part by The Hugh Bancroft Jr. Foundation, The Lodge at Sierra Blanca, the Inn of the Mountain Gods, Sierra Blanca Motors, Ruidoso Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, Ventanas, The Enjoyment of Fine Southwestern Living, Rainmakers, New Mexico Magazine, Ruidoso.net, area radio stations KRUI-1490 AM NEWS TALK TOURISM & KIDX 101.5 FM, KNMB-96.7 FM, KTUM 107.1 FM, KBIM-94.9 FM, 910 AM Roswell, KWES 93.5 FM, KBUY 1360 AM and KWES 1450 AM Fox Sports; KEDU 102.3 FM, and the publicity support of Ruidoso News and Ruidoso Free Press.

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.

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