By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — An Oakridge singer-songwriter and an old-time radio program will be the star attractions Sunday evening, June 13, in the third production of the community’s “Spotlight Project Presents” variety show.
The musician, known as Broken Horn, performs a variety of country, rhythm and blues, rock and original tunes, accompanying himself on guitar.
“I don’t call it ‘rock,’ though,” said Broken Horn. “I’m 72 years old, so I was there at its birth, and I call it rock ‘n’ roll.”
Broken Horn, who prefers his Native American name, grew up as David Rangel in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. He has lived in Oakridge about two years and performs regularly at Lion Mountain Bakery. His remarkable personal story will be featured soon in The Herald.
Also on stage for the 7 p.m. show Sunday will be actors with the Zero Clearance Theater Company, performing a vintage Fibber McGee and Molly radio play called “The Closet.”
“The Zero Clearance Theater Company has a long history of not only doing plays, but also doing an annual old-time radio show,” said Loren Christopher Michaels, the play’s director and the producer of “Spotlight Project Presents.” “It’s a tradition that was interrupted (like everything else) with the pandemic. That is why I wanted to feature them on this next show.”
The cast includes Demitrius Arnold (Fibber), Jessica Howett (Molly), Holly Olson (Neighbor Girl) and Ross Spencer (Announcer/Gildersleeve).
“We will be working with The Zero Clearance Theater Company in the future and feature serialized plays and more radio show performances,” Michaels said.
Joining the performers on the Willamette Activity Center stage Sunday evening will be host Becky Chamberlain and interviewer Catrina Davis. Chamberlain will be doing a segment with special guest Doug Bates, editor of The Herald and author of this story, and Davis will offer another “Community Corner” interview.
Michaels said a new segment called “Mountain Kids Minute” will make its debut Sunday. It is hosted by Averi Rhule and her mother Chelsi Rhule, highlighting talented children in the community.
Despite the recent relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, “Spotlight Project Presents” is still not ready to open up the WAC auditorium to live audiences. Like the first two shows, this one will be live-streamed on Facebook. Anyone can view the program at no charge online by going to https://www.facebook.com/Spotlightingtalent and clicking on The Spotlight Project Presents.
The production represents many months of volunteer effort by Michaels, Rachel Nehmer and a cast of many others who completely refurbished the WAC stage and production facilities.
The format of “The Spotlight Project Presents” is part talk show and part variety show with guest interviews and live stage performances. Plans call for a different broadcast every other Sunday at 7 p.m.
Herald Editor Doug Bates is a retired newspaper journalist who lives in Oakridge.
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