Starlight Music Theater Memories

As the Starlight Music Theater Building prepares to be demolished and swept away, I thought it would be fun to reminisce about all the great shows that I had a chance to see at the Latham concert venue.

As a classic country fan, having the Starlight in our area was something I will always appreciate. At the time, I was a teenager working in local radio, so I was able to attend many of the concerts, introduce a few of the acts, and see people I never would have been able to see otherwise. The venue was a treasure because it spotlighted artists that couldn't fill an arena but were bigger than a night club act, and many of my favorites fall in this category.

Actually, the very first concert I ever saw was Ricky Skaggs at the Starlight Music Theater (somewhere around 1987 or 1988). I also had the chance to see The Judds, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Rabbitt, Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, Marie Osmond, The Statler Brothers, Tanya Tucker,  Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, K.T. Oslin, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Roy Clark and so many more I can't even remember.  I also had the chance to introduce some shows, including Barbara Mandrell and Billy Ray Cyrus.

The venue was perfect, seating in the round with a unique rotating stage, every seat was a good seat.  I recently made a trip to Branson and many of the theaters and acts reminded me of our very own Starlight Theater.  I sure wish there was a venue like that around here today that kept the legends coming! In the meantime, we'll just have to keep making road trips to Turning Stone, the only venue in the area still bringing the legends in on a regular basis.

Did you ever see a show at the Starlight Music Theater?  Please leave your comments in the section below.