If you happen to know a boy named Sue, there’s an outlaw country show you should invite him to.
Featuring hits by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, The Highwaymen Live Forever concert is coming to the Sault Community Theatre Centre on Sept. 20 and 21.
Put on by Jeffrey Wright Music, the show features numerous local musicians coming together to bring the outlaw country hits of yesteryear back to life.
“People do love the music, but the generations that are coming up, they're rediscovering it, and to keep it alive is a huge interest of mine,” Wright told SooToday. “I do genuinely love it. I love being able to bring some of this to other people.”
With a mix of traditional concerts and a dash of theatre, Jeffrey Wright Music is a newer business in Sault Ste. Marie, though Wright himself has been performing for over 20 years.
Four different musicians will be taking on the roles of Cash, Nelson, Jennings, and Kristofferson for the show, with many others participating, as Wright brings his passion for outlaw country to the stage.
He said he first fell in love with the music when he heard Johnny Cash’s cover of ‘Hurt’ as a kid, which has grown over time into an appreciation for the entire genre.
“It was one of the greatest songs I've ever heard, just the style, everything,” he said. “I was like, ‘Who is this guy? He's got the coolest voice.’ So I dove deep, and it's kind of blossomed over the years.”
As Wright and the group prepare for September’s shows, they’re also bringing their music into local retirement homes – like Pathways Retirement Residence – to help share music with a broader audience.
“People who won't typically be able to leave their residence to go and see these things, they'll have an opportunity to be able to see some of the music and get to share in that experience and listen to songs that they grew up with,” he said.
More can be found about Wright and the Highwaymen Live Forever concert on the Jeffrey Wright Music website.