From my 1981 Park album, the FM&MG Cast: marla Sanders, Teresa Lee, Dave Nadell, Joe Puzzo, Jeff Eckerle, Michael Mercer, Amy Felices, Marguerite Tew, Joe Camper, Pam Souders, Teresa Mullinax, Vicki Ross, Kim Kennedy, Nancy Crocker, Reed Jones, Jim Rixie, Richie Abanes, and Dennis Scortino.
Why Gaylord decided to destroy Opryland and put in a stupid mall (that's not even going to be reopened, I bet!) is beyond me. Cheers to Opryland's "For Me and My Gal"--one of my favorite shows there.
I was tech this year. Punched buttons and set props. Anyone remember the disaster when somehow the ribbon drop started lowering white the park sets were still on stage. Sparks flew! Then red, white and blue "turds" began raining from the sky. I recall Joe Camper kicking the blobs off stage while singing Silvery Moon.
Hi, William Collins here. I was the women's dresser for this production in '81 and '82. If anyone has a copy of the complete show, please post it. I would love to see it. Such great memories--I still sing all these songs.
Thank you so much for this video. I was very close to Jim Rixie and I had given up on finding footage of him. I had a good cry over this, I miss him so much, but wow, this is so great to have available.
Cast Members-Greetings and well wishes. I did sound for Gal in 1979. Had no idea any video still existed of the show. I spoke with Dan Keen this evening. For any of you who might still live in Nashville, Dan is in the hospital.
The 1979 cast of Gal had some interesting cast members, there was this girl playing Mama Cohan, Mary something? Mastrantonio, I think? Who would have thunk it? From Me and My Gal to The Color of Money.
This is the first time I have seen this online! It almost made me cry! I did get the chance to see the full show on tape at the home of Joe Camper about 5 years ago. It just seems like yesterday, and yes, I can still tap and sing "Some of These Days" in my show on the ship I work on! Would love to hear from any of you that were in this very talented cast! Does anyone remember Vicki Ross's married name? I know it starts with an M. We have lost touch and I would like to re connect. Cheers, Marla
What a hoot! What are the odds that one of the few Opryland shows on youtube is from the year I was in the show? Granted, I only got to "tap" in the purple cast(who can forget the singers in the back who got rhythmically covered up by the streamers at the end in "You're a Grand Ole' Flag"? Ha.)but I wouldn't take back the time I spent in the park for anything. Reed named some of us in the cast but I'd like to draw attention to Joe Camper (Pop Cohan) who is no longer with us. Be happy and well!
Wow, What a great show this was! I was in the purple cast in fall '78. Jonathan Yeaworth and I sang the solo that came right after the tape cuts off here "If You Were the Only Girl in the World". He was great to work with. Hey Jon! Saw you just a year or two ago in Nashville at the Mercedes dealership. Jan here!
What great times. (Except for rehearsing on the concrete floors in the rehearsal hall. Still have shin splints from that, and a bad knee!)
Hey, Ned Hannah here. I worked at Opryland the summer this was taped. I performed in Country Music USA in the Acuff Theatre, but FMAMG was the show I really wanted to be in. I think I saw at least one performance of this show every day that summer! Thanks to Chris Kraft for posting this.
What great memories - I want to see more! I was in this cast - I was the tall dancer among the short.
This was the purple(fall)cast as our original Mama Cohan, Pam Souder, had left by then.
Others in the cast: Joe Camper (Papa Cohan), Theresa Mullinax (Josie), Marla Sanders (Hannah in the purple cast), Vicki Ross (Female dancer), Michael Mercer, and me, Reed Jones. That's all I can remember!
REED!!!! It's me, messy Richie, who never did the dishes!! ROFL. Good to hear, so to speak, from you. I hope all is well. I saw you on TV with Disney. Grats! Sounds like you have your hands full.
This is Richie Abanes here (George M.)-- uhm, who are you????
The flood of memories is almost too intense to contain. Whoever you are, TY for posting this. It really made me think about so many experiences, places, and people.
(Goodness, I did have a squeeky little voice back then, didn't I? LOL).
This is really something else to see again after so long. What wonderful days those were - even as young, naive, and innocent about life as we all were.
This video is great! I was lead dancer in For Me and My Gal in the summer of 1978. I also did the Opryland commercials that year. My name is Nancy Lihan and I now own a dance studio in Phillipsburg, NJ. I wonder what has happened to the other cast members!
Hi Nancy! I was in the cast that fall. You were still there as I recall. I remember you doing the commercials. I also remember Gordon McCrae being bought in as a guest to film spots with our cast. What a lush! He was a little scary.
This is Jan Renshaw. I was the soprano who sang some duets with Jon Yeaworth. I had come from the Opry house show, "Broadway!" that only ran for the summer. I really enjoyed doing FAMAMG, but those cold fall mornings when you couldn't feel your toes for the first couple of shows were killers!
I worked in Nashville for years after O-land in a band and with an agency that booked conventions. Stopped to have a family, moved away, but stay busy working in the arts in a supportive role.
Jan, since you were in Broadway '78, you would remember Susan "burt" Bablove; although she wasn't Bablove yet at that time. Just a few years ago, she was working at Disneyland, in California. She may still be there. Also, Daryl Hazel was in Orlando, Florida last I heard.
Wow, yes, of course I remember Burt and Daryl! I was pretty close to Daryl. How do you know where they are? And in what capacity are they working? Were you in the shows, ritaandal?
George M is Richie Abanes. He's now a minister and has quite a web presence. The lead dancer (who speaks the opening dialog for "Silverly Moon") is a dear friend, Jim Rixie, who has, unfortunately, left us.
I loved these live shows in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of the best theme park shows around at the time. Many of the performers were from NYC and very talented. If anyone knows the name of any of the performers in this clip please list their names.
From my 1981 Park album, the FM&MG Cast: marla Sanders, Teresa Lee, Dave Nadell, Joe Puzzo, Jeff Eckerle, Michael Mercer, Amy Felices, Marguerite Tew, Joe Camper, Pam Souders, Teresa Mullinax, Vicki Ross, Kim Kennedy, Nancy Crocker, Reed Jones, Jim Rixie, Richie Abanes, and Dennis Scortino.
nashvilleTNredhead 7 months ago
Why Gaylord decided to destroy Opryland and put in a stupid mall (that's not even going to be reopened, I bet!) is beyond me. Cheers to Opryland's "For Me and My Gal"--one of my favorite shows there.
victoriaphibes 10 months ago
I was tech this year. Punched buttons and set props. Anyone remember the disaster when somehow the ribbon drop started lowering white the park sets were still on stage. Sparks flew! Then red, white and blue "turds" began raining from the sky. I recall Joe Camper kicking the blobs off stage while singing Silvery Moon.
Dr4maD1va 2 years ago
Comment removed
Dr4maD1va 2 years ago
Hi, William Collins here. I was the women's dresser for this production in '81 and '82. If anyone has a copy of the complete show, please post it. I would love to see it. Such great memories--I still sing all these songs.
entelechizer 2 years ago
Thank you so much for this video. I was very close to Jim Rixie and I had given up on finding footage of him. I had a good cry over this, I miss him so much, but wow, this is so great to have available.
IcingFirst 2 years ago
Cast Members-Greetings and well wishes. I did sound for Gal in 1979. Had no idea any video still existed of the show. I spoke with Dan Keen this evening. For any of you who might still live in Nashville, Dan is in the hospital.
The 1979 cast of Gal had some interesting cast members, there was this girl playing Mama Cohan, Mary something? Mastrantonio, I think? Who would have thunk it? From Me and My Gal to The Color of Money.
Be well, Dean D.
DragonettiDean 2 years ago
This is the first time I have seen this online! It almost made me cry! I did get the chance to see the full show on tape at the home of Joe Camper about 5 years ago. It just seems like yesterday, and yes, I can still tap and sing "Some of These Days" in my show on the ship I work on! Would love to hear from any of you that were in this very talented cast! Does anyone remember Vicki Ross's married name? I know it starts with an M. We have lost touch and I would like to re connect. Cheers, Marla
Marlabenet61 2 years ago
Comment removed
0eleuthereus0 2 years ago
What a hoot! What are the odds that one of the few Opryland shows on youtube is from the year I was in the show? Granted, I only got to "tap" in the purple cast(who can forget the singers in the back who got rhythmically covered up by the streamers at the end in "You're a Grand Ole' Flag"? Ha.)but I wouldn't take back the time I spent in the park for anything. Reed named some of us in the cast but I'd like to draw attention to Joe Camper (Pop Cohan) who is no longer with us. Be happy and well!
mmarlowem 3 years ago
Wow, What a great show this was! I was in the purple cast in fall '78. Jonathan Yeaworth and I sang the solo that came right after the tape cuts off here "If You Were the Only Girl in the World". He was great to work with. Hey Jon! Saw you just a year or two ago in Nashville at the Mercedes dealership. Jan here!
What great times. (Except for rehearsing on the concrete floors in the rehearsal hall. Still have shin splints from that, and a bad knee!)
chickchanteuse 3 years ago
Hey, Ned Hannah here. I worked at Opryland the summer this was taped. I performed in Country Music USA in the Acuff Theatre, but FMAMG was the show I really wanted to be in. I think I saw at least one performance of this show every day that summer! Thanks to Chris Kraft for posting this.
NedHannah 3 years ago
What great memories - I want to see more! I was in this cast - I was the tall dancer among the short.
This was the purple(fall)cast as our original Mama Cohan, Pam Souder, had left by then.
Others in the cast: Joe Camper (Papa Cohan), Theresa Mullinax (Josie), Marla Sanders (Hannah in the purple cast), Vicki Ross (Female dancer), Michael Mercer, and me, Reed Jones. That's all I can remember!
Thanks for posting!
Rmj333 3 years ago
REED!!!! It's me, messy Richie, who never did the dishes!! ROFL. Good to hear, so to speak, from you. I hope all is well. I saw you on TV with Disney. Grats! Sounds like you have your hands full.
peace-out,
RA - aka George M.
BTW, was that Kim Kennedy as Mama Cohen w/ you.
jarkin4 3 years ago
This is Richie Abanes here (George M.)-- uhm, who are you????
The flood of memories is almost too intense to contain. Whoever you are, TY for posting this. It really made me think about so many experiences, places, and people.
(Goodness, I did have a squeeky little voice back then, didn't I? LOL).
This is really something else to see again after so long. What wonderful days those were - even as young, naive, and innocent about life as we all were.
blessings,
RA
jarkin4 3 years ago
This video is great! I was lead dancer in For Me and My Gal in the summer of 1978. I also did the Opryland commercials that year. My name is Nancy Lihan and I now own a dance studio in Phillipsburg, NJ. I wonder what has happened to the other cast members!
2880479 3 years ago
Hi Nancy! I was in the cast that fall. You were still there as I recall. I remember you doing the commercials. I also remember Gordon McCrae being bought in as a guest to film spots with our cast. What a lush! He was a little scary.
chickchanteuse 3 years ago
This is Jan Renshaw. I was the soprano who sang some duets with Jon Yeaworth. I had come from the Opry house show, "Broadway!" that only ran for the summer. I really enjoyed doing FAMAMG, but those cold fall mornings when you couldn't feel your toes for the first couple of shows were killers!
I worked in Nashville for years after O-land in a band and with an agency that booked conventions. Stopped to have a family, moved away, but stay busy working in the arts in a supportive role.
chickchanteuse 3 years ago
Jan, since you were in Broadway '78, you would remember Susan "burt" Bablove; although she wasn't Bablove yet at that time. Just a few years ago, she was working at Disneyland, in California. She may still be there. Also, Daryl Hazel was in Orlando, Florida last I heard.
ritaandal 3 years ago
Wow, yes, of course I remember Burt and Daryl! I was pretty close to Daryl. How do you know where they are? And in what capacity are they working? Were you in the shows, ritaandal?
chickchanteuse 3 years ago
George M is Richie Abanes. He's now a minister and has quite a web presence. The lead dancer (who speaks the opening dialog for "Silverly Moon") is a dear friend, Jim Rixie, who has, unfortunately, left us.
Weehillock 3 years ago
I loved these live shows in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of the best theme park shows around at the time. Many of the performers were from NYC and very talented. If anyone knows the name of any of the performers in this clip please list their names.
KraftChris 3 years ago