As the date nears for his 27th concert in Russellville, country legend Ronnie McDowell reflected last Friday on the relationship he’s built with the community.
“In 1990 when Unchained Melody came out, Wanda [Myrick] brought me down to Russellville,” McDowell said. “I came to do one show, and now here we are 29 years later.”
Through the last three decades, McDowell has developed friendships with so many folks in Russellville, he calls it his ‘adopted hometown.’ McDowell has received a key to the city and has a street in Russellville named after him.
He will make his 27th appearance in Russellville on Saturday, March 16 at the historic Roxy Theater. Local artists Jacob Green and Joseph Baldwin will open the show at 7 p.m., followed by the headliner McDowell.
After serving nearly 30 years as the president of the McDowell’s fan club, Myrick no longer has that responsibility, but she and the Portland, TN native remain good friends.
“He’s a good family friend, and he counts Russellville as his second hometown,” Myrick said. “And he has a wonderful relationship with the mayor, Bobby Brown and a lot of other people in Russellville.”
McDowell’s show will contain a mix of his classic hits, including You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation, Older Women and Personally, along with songs from his more recent albums.
Although he will turn 70 next year, McDowell’s schedule remains as active as ever, and he has no plans to slow down any time soon.
“I don’t even think about stuff like that. My total focus is on my family anyway and always has been,” McDowell said. “I put my priorities there a long time ago, not on my business but my children. I don’t really have any plans to retire. The last thing I want to do is sit on the porch or play golf.”
In addition to his busy tour schedule, McDowell will see the premiere of his television show, Painting America, air later this year on HGTV.
An accomplished painter, McDowell tells a unique story through a painting in each episode of Painting America. The first show focuses on Elvis Presley receiving his first guitar at age 11 in Tupelo.
“We depict that moment at the Tupelo Hardware Store in the painting, called That Magic Moment,” McDowell said.
Elvis walked out of Tupelo Hardware on January 5, 1946 with a 1940 Kay model guitar purchased as a birthday gift by his mother. The rest, as they say, is musical history.
At the end of each episode of Painting America, McDowell auctions off the number one print of each painting with proceeds going to a local children’s charity.
“In Tupelo, the auction brought in $10,500 for the Children’s Rehabilitation Center, and we were able to give all those kids hearing aids,” McDowell said.
McDowell’s career was transformed by the song The King is Gone, which took him from accomplished songwriter to accomplished performer. It was his tribute to Elvis Presley.
“I never wrote that song thinking about it being released. I did nothing but turn on the radio at 2:22 on August 16, 1977, and hear about Elvis’s passing,” McDowell said. “I only wrote it because it came right out of my heart and soul. Every bit of those words just flowed out.”
While his career has seen him travel across the United States as well as the world, McDowell recently had an opportunity to perform in Scotland, something he will always consider a special experience.
“That’s where the McDowells are all from. So I was just glad to get to play in my homeland,” McDowell said. “Actually, a lot of McDowells came to the show. That was interesting. I went to a pub and sat with some Scottish McDowells, and that was really enjoyable.”
Asked whether the McDowells received a discount on tickets at the show, Ronnie coyly answered no.
“I didn’t get a discount at the pub either,” he said.
Other than a few singles, floor seats are sold out for McDowell’s March 16 show, but general admission balcony seats remain. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling 256-415-3270 or at Abstract and Appraisal, 403 North Washington Avenue in Russellville.
Proceeds from the concert benefit the restoration of the Roxy Theater.
“I love coming back to the old Roxy theater. Those are my favorite venues,” McDowell said. “It just doesn’t seem like 29 years since the first show, though. It seems like it was just the other day, then I realize how much time has passed.”
