As I sit down to write my final review of 2005, there’s a New Year’s
Eve party going on downstairs. The younger set (forty-something's)
are having fun and the music is loud. But I had to sneak upstairs
and write one more time about the only music that is in my heart –
the music of
Tony Roi.
December
17th was Tony’s final show before Christmas, so my sister and
I headed to Branson because it was her birthday and also because it
was our Christmas gift to ourselves!! It’s strange how the
excitement builds as we get close to Branson. Tony’s music is
on the stereo, then we see his gorgeous face on the billboards as we
enter TONY COUNTY, as we pass the exits for TONYROCK LAKE and LAKE
TONYCOMO!! As far as we’re concerned, this is TONY TERRITORY, and
they might as well rename the city and call it TONYTOWN!!
All kidding aside, the show that day was the best one yet. It never
ceases to amaze us that this man just gets better and better!! He
must have some secret vitamins because most ordinary human beings
would just collapse if they used up a fraction of the energy that
radiates from Tony!! This show lasted over 2 ½ hours and the fans
just wanted more. I’m sure that as long as Tony would keep singing,
the audience would keep sitting, mouths agape, hearts on fire, in
awe of THE MANY TALENTS OF TONY!
Tony has told us many times how much he loves what he does and how
he never tires of singing the same songs. This is so obvious in his
performances – he gives his all to please everyone who comes to see
him. After all, it is TONY’S HOUSE, and he wants every single person
to be happy that they chose to visit him there. It is also evident
how much he thrives on the love of his fans, because the more we
cheer and applaud and scream, the more he gives back to us. It
energizes him – and us - and you can feel a circle of electricity
surging through
Music City
Centre. They could probably shut off the power to the theatre
and things would just keep running on TONY ENERGY alone!!
“How Great Thou Art” was added to the show that day. Talk about a
powerful performance!! It would have inspired faith in even those
who have none. Tony’s voice is so beautiful it runs chills up
and down your spine and brings tears to your eyes, and you
know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is a God-given talent. It
makes you feel grateful to be able to hear it over and over again.
Tony is a man of deep faith, and he has often said that he knows he
is doing what God wants him to do. We have mentioned to him that he
really should record a gospel album – Elvis loved gospel music and
would be proud of the heart and soul and emotion that Tony would
bring to the songs that meant so much to him.
We were doubly blessed that day because Tony came out after that
wonderful show and signed autographs and spoke with his fans. He
hadn’t been doing that for awhile, for reasons we respect, and we
had missed him, so we were ecstatic to be able to give him a hug and
wish him and his beautiful family a Merry Christmas.
After the TONY SHOW, we took a short drive down to Harrison,
Arkansas, to watch the young Elvis – Cody Slaughter – who
appears in TONY’S HOUSE from time to time – perform at a benefit for
the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It was a worthy cause and we
thoroughly enjoyed the evening. That young man has a bright future
ahead of him – he is only 14 years old. If any of you get a chance
to see him, you will not be disappointed.
We were “Back On The Road Again” the next morning, with Tony singing
on the stereo and in our hearts. Most of you know that he has
FINALLY added some of his original music to his show. The words say
“Music’s in my blood – it won’t let me be. Feel it reaching out and
pulling me.” I don’t know if Tony wrote those words, but if he did,
you can feel how accurately they define him. The song goes on to say
“I was born to sing, gotta do my show.” How true that is. If ever a
man was BORN TO SING, that would be Tony. Hearing Tony sing
something other than Elvis music, which we all love, just
strengthens what we fans all know. WE LOVE TONY BECAUSE HE IS TONY.
Christmas was spent with our family. Knowing how “crazed” my sister
and I are over Tony, my daughter, Tara, secretly took some of the
pictures we had taken of Tony and had them put on coffee mugs, and
she also had a mouse pad made for me with one of my favorite Tony
pictures on it. So now as I sit here and write down my thoughts, I
can always see that beautiful face looking at me – giving
inspiration to this silly old 63 year old teenager!!
Tony did four shows between Christmas and New Year’s, while a lot of
the shows in Branson had already closed for the season. Sandi and I
so wanted to be there for all four, but alas, we could only go on
December 29th, so we didn’t get to see the last show of the year.
But at least we got one last “TONY FIX” for 2005!! And Tony didn’t
let us down – the show was as spectacular as ever, he again came out
after the show and let us all know how much he appreciates the
support his fans have given him. His first year at Music City Centre
has been a big success and, THANK GOD, he will be back next year. SO
EVERYONE MAKE PLANS TO GO TO BRANSON OFTEN, AND SUPPORT THIS
WONDERFUL PERFORMER!!
There was a little TRAIL OF TEARS as we drove out of TONY TERRITORY
for the last time in 2005. And now while I sit here at my computer
as 2005 disappears into history, I think what a great year it was!!
I’m much younger than I was last year, I have music in my heart and
Tony in my soul, and my sister and I are counting the days until OUR
NEW YEAR begins – March 2, 2006 – opening day at TONY’S HOUSE!! We
already have our front row tickets reserved for the first 3 days.
Many members of his new fan club – Tony’s Club – will be there, and
we’re relying on the rest of you fans to tell your friends and PACK
THE HOUSE!!
Happy New Year to Tony, his gracious wife Melanie and their
children, to his outstanding Powerhouse Band and his Angel Singers.
Also to everyone who is connected with this fantastic show – they
all work together to make it what it is. Thanks to Music City Centre
for giving us this kind of entertainment – the best that Branson has
to offer. And thanks to you,
Bransoncritics, for giving Tony’s fans a voice – it is such fun
writing these articles, whether silly or serious. The fact that
these reviews count as votes makes it even better. And lastly, thank
you Tony – we love you. You truly have been blessed by God with a
magnificent voice, a humble spirit, and you really were BORN TO
SING!!
Shirley Hendricks
Olathe, Kansas
