Darrell McCall to perform at the Llano Country Opry
Darrell McCall and his wife, Mona, will perform at the Llano Country Opry at the Lantex Theater on Aug. 9. Courtesy photo
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LLANO — Heart of Texas country artist Darrell McCall will take the Llano Country Opry stage Aug. 9 at the Lantex Theater.
McCall, who has performed with Ray Price, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., will be joined by his wife, Mona, for the 7:30 p.m. show.
The theater is located at 113 Main St. in downtown Llano. Tickets may be purchased at the Llano Chamber of Commerce, 100 Train Station Drive; Llano National Bank, 1001 Ford St.; Lively Computers, 2112 RR 1431 in Kingsland; or by calling (325) 247-5354.
The Ohio native got his start in the music business at the age of 15 as a DJ on WSRW radio in Hillsboro, Ohio, according to an Opry news release. He then began playing dances as a musician before joining the U.S. Army Reserves after high school.
In 1958, he and future country legend Johnny Paycheck moved to Nashville, Tenn., and formed the Young Brothers, according to the release. While in Music City, McCall found work as a harmony singer with artists such as George Jones, Faron Young, Carl Smith, Freddie Hart and Ray Price. He became a member of Price’s Cherokee Cowboys band and later performed on stage with Young and Hank Williams Jr.
McCall got his first hit with the song “A Stranger Was Here” and followed it with appearances in the movies “Nashville Rebel,” “Road To Nashville” and “What Am I Bid?” in 1965 and 1966. In 1968, McCall signed with Wayside Records and recorded his debut album, “Meet Darrell McCall.”
In 1972, he penned the No. 1 hit “Eleven Roses” for Williams. The 1970s also brought several top hits for McCall including “There’s Still A Lot of Love In San Antone,” “Pins and Needles (In My Heart),” “Down the Road to Daddy’s Dreams,” “Dreams of a Dreamer” and “It’s the Water.”
In 1976, McCall and Nelson recorded the Top 40 single “Lily Dale.”
McCall still performs across the country with his wife and makes frequent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The couple live in Fredonia, Texas.
His latest work includes the 2004 Heart of Texas release, “Old Memories and Wine,” which was produced by Justin Trevino; “The Essential Darrell McCall” (2007); “Lily Dale” (2008); and his newest studio album, “Country From the Heart,” which was released in October 2013.
Other entertainers at the Aug. 9 show will be Janice Maynard, Randy Reinhard, McKenzie Jones, Trevino, Bode Barker, Charlie Walton, Shane Lively and Bucille Snotgrass. Tracy Pitcox will serve as master of ceremonies.
On Sept. 13, Larry Gatlin will be the featured entertainer at the Llano Country Opry. Tickets are also available for that show.