‘Country Roads USA’ Revives CabaRay Showroom

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Photo: Deklin Emmons

CabaRay has a new lease on life with the residence of the theatrical presentation “Country Roads USA,” which debuted there over the weekend.

Opened by Ray Stevens in 2018, the state-of-the-art showroom houses the new production on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The dinner theater is one of Nashville’s finest venues and was the location of the PBS TV series Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville. But its future became uncertain following the star’s heart procedure late last year.

“Country Roads USA” is a fast-paced revue tracing the history of country music. The 11-member cast performs 43 song excerpts to tracks recorded by top Music Row session musicians. Fleet costume changes, shifting video projections, rotating stage props and energetic choreography create a flashy environment during the 75-minute show.

The show’s writer/director is Dean Sams of the hit country band Lonestar. He described “Country Music USA” as “the most authentic show you can see in Nashville when it comes to country music.”

During a press preview last week, Sams praised costume designer Renee Layher, choreographer Laurin Floyd Turner and producers Jeanna Kenney and Brian Schafer for bringing the show to life. The projected celebrity photos are drawn from the archive of the late Slick Lawson.

“This is a chronological tale of country music, with some of the biggest names this genre has ever known coming to life before your very eyes and ears,” says Sams. “It’s a high-energy musical and visual experience that takes the audience back in time. There is nothing about this show that my hands, ears, eyes, and heart haven’t been a part of.”

The 11 cast members portray three-dozen iconic country stars, ranging from The Carter Family to the Dixie Chicks. Most songs are delivered in a lickety-split, verse-chorus fashion, but the revue pauses the pace with a tribute to Minnie Pearl’s vintage jokes, a clog-dancing segment and an all-cast gospel medley of “I’ll Fly Away,” “Farther Along,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “Just a Little Talk With Jesus.”

Photo: Deklin Emmons

The hit songs’ arrangements are performed as close to the original records as possible. Among the most effective are Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man,” Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn,” Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira,” George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Brooks & Dunn’s “My Maria” and Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” Offstage narration introduces each number and provides continuity.

Most of the cast members have extensive Nashville stage experience. Millie Martin, Krista Dudley and Zachariah Malachi are veterans of Lower Broadway’s nightclubs. Dancer Nikki Mele has entertained on the General Jackson showboat. Terin Christopher has been in Nashville for six years and has backed more than a dozen country stars as a dancer. Merissa Milile has been a choreographer/cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans. Belmont University alumnus Sam Mulligan is an indie recording artist, as are Malachi and singer-songwriter Sara Kelly.

The three relative newcomers include Kyle Henry, who plunged into the audience and sang among the dinner tables during his portrayal of Garth Brooks. His entertainment background includes theme parks, cruise ships, and regional theater. George Arbuckle was quite effective as Alan Jackson and in other roles. The Nashville newcomer’s bass-to-tenor vocal range also impressed. In Nashville since 2021, Tom Baker displayed ease with the honky-tonk material of George Strait and other stars.

During Kenny Chesney’s “How Forever Feels,” beach balls were tossed into the crowd. Dancers wheeled desks around the stage during Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” All the cast members assembled on risers for the show finale, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” Songs also included Ray Stevens’ “Everything Is Beautiful” and Lonestar’s “Amazed.”

The “Country Roads USA” production recalls the country show at Opryland during the theme park’s 1972-1997 heyday. It also echoes the long-running “Country Tonite” tourist show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It serves as a fast-paced, entertaining introduction to country music for the uninitiated or a nostalgic, sing-along overview for established fans.

“Country Roads USA” will be staged at CabaRay every weekend. As before, the venue’s sound, lights and sight lines are first rate. CabaRay’s walls are decorated in vintage photos honoring the architects of the Nashville Sound. Six display areas salute producers Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley, Shelby Singleton, Fred Foster, Jerry Kennedy and Billy Sherrill.

The lobby opens at 5:00 p.m. on show nights. Dinner seating on the main floor begins at 5:30 p.m. Show-only seating in the balcony begins at 6:30 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Robert K Oermann
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