Old Tyme Country

Some music never loses its appeal, especially when it is played by talented, dedicated artists like Terry Huval, other members of the Jambalaya Cajun Band, and the outstanding guest musicians they manage to assemble each year for the Old Tyme Country Show at the Liberty Theater.

The fourth annual show on January 8, 2005, opened with a special treat: Terry Huval singing Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" accompanied on trumpet by his son, André Huval (shown at right in the photo in the adjacent column) and his friend, Pascal Lalonde. Huval also sang Bob Willis' "Faded Love," Pee Wee King's "Bonaparte's Retreat," Roy Acuff's "Wabash Cannon Ball," and, joined by Laura Berard, the Porter Wagoner-Dolly Parton number "If Teardrops Were Pennies."

Steel guitarist Don Helms, the only surviving original member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys and a regular for the annual Hank Williams tribute, also again took part in the country shown this year. In addition to playing steel guitar on almost all of the Hank Williams recordings, Helms was a studio musician who played on classic recordings by many other country artists, including a number of the songs performed in the 4th annual show.

The program featured three Ernest Tubb numbers: Hugh Harris doing "Born to Lose" and Vin Bruce with "Letters Have No Arms" and "Somebody Loves You." Harris also did "Cool Water" (a song especially popular in Texas during a 1950s drought), and teamed with Karleen Berard on the Ferlin Husky/Jean Shepard song "Dear John." Vin Bruce's other numbers were two Hank Williams songs, "Let's Turn Back the Years" and "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight."

Pope Huval with Karleen Berard and her daughters, Laura and Maegan, performed a song and dance version of Gene Autry's "Button and Bows" (see the third photo from the bottom of the page). Huval also sang Autrey's "The Last Letter" and joined Laura Berard for "Have You Ever Been Lonely?" (Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline) and Helen Boudreaux for "As Long as I Live" (Red Foley and Kitty Wells). Huval was the solo vocalist for Red Foley's "Sugarfoot Rag," Eddie Arnold's "Bouquet of Roses," and Jimmy Rodgers' "T for Texas."

Helen Boudreaux also performed Loretta Lynn's "Success" and Kitty Wells' "Making Believe." 

Maegan Berard's other numbers were Norma Jean's "Let's Go All the Way" and Connie Smith's "Once a Day."  Laura sang "I'll Fall to Pieces" (Patsy Cline), and Karleen performed Loretta Lynn's "Blue Kentucky Girl."

 D.L. Menard may be best know for his Cajun hits, but he has also composed excellent songs in English, including the two he performed at the show, "Cajun Saturday Night" and "The Little Girl."

Host Barry Ancelet joined Gina Forsyth for the Louvin' Brothers' "Running Wild" and also sang Randy Travis' "1982."

As has become traditional, accordionist Reggie Matte joined everyone on stage for the final number, the Carter Family's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Click here to go to the page on the first Country Music Show.

The second Country Music Show.

The third Country Music Show.

Click here to return to the page on the first Hank Williams Tribute.

Hugh Harris

Vin Bruce

Helen Boudreaux

Gina Forsyth and Terry Huval

Terry Huval

Pascal Lalonde and André Huval

Don Helms

Karleen Berard and Don Helms

D. L. Menard

Pope Huval

Laura and Maegan Berard

Barry Ancelet and Gina Forsyth

Laura Berard and Terry Huval

Shown from left during the performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" are, from left, Don Helms, Laura Berard, Maegan, Karleen Berard, Maegan Berard, Gina Forsyth, Hugh Harris, Pope Huval, Barry Ancelet, Helen Boudreaux, Ken David, Vin Bruce, and D.L. Menard. Stage musicians not visible are Ross Shellard on lead guitar, Randy Champagne on guitar, and Tony Huval on drums. In the photo below, Reggie Matte is on accordion.