PHOTO 1: The 3 Redneck Tenors: Keith Buterbaugh, Matthew Lord, Steven Sanders and Dinny McGuire.
PHOTO 2: Ye Old Tenors 3 and assistant: Steven Sanders, Matthew Lord, Keith Buterbaugh and Lindsay Hilliard
Surprise!
The Three Redneck Tenors are actually two tenors and a baritone.
The next Northwest Concert Series on January 17 will blend slapstick comedy and a hilarious time with serious music mostly opera with a little country, rock and roll and pop thrown in for added flavor.
An Alva connection also exists with this group. Steven Sanders, a member of the group, is the son of Alva High School graduate Don Sanders (class of '54). Sanders' grandmother was a member of the Beard family.
"My grandfather Grant Sanders lived in Alva," Sanders said. "I've been there quite a few times."
Sanders and his wife, Marie, a native of Waurika, now live in Boston, Mass., where she teaches elementary music. The couple moved there when Sanders received a performa
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nce certificate to the Boston University Opera School.
"it's a different world," Sanders said, "more than I'd ever thought."
Sanders said his wife's students enjoy her classes.
"The kids just love her drawl," he said with a laugh.
Sanders is also acquainted with Drs. James and Aija Shrader. He sang with the Shraders' son Alek at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
While attending USAO in Chickasha, Sanders met Dr. Aija Shrader when she came to the school for a recital with vocal instructor Ken Bohannon.
REDNECK PLOT
Sanders said the show revolves around three cousins who get discovered by a Colonel -- reminiscent of the Elvis story -- who happens to walk by their trailer house.
The baritone becomes part of the group after cousin Billy Ray dies in a tragic wood chipping accident.
"The joke of the show is that if you just close your eyes and imagine a tenor without any high notes, you'll be just fine," Sanders explained.
Billy Ray's wife Edna May (who is also his first cousin), wants to complete building their dream trailer. The musicians go "on the road" to help fulfill this dream.
According to the plot, the group starts out small. From entertaining at livestock auctions they eventually make it to Carnegie Hall.
"It's really goofy," Sanders said. "The dialogue and everything is goofy, but when we start singing, it's serious."
All members of the cast are trained opera singers.
"That's why the show works," Sanders said.
The group did a 10-week tour last year. They are just now beginning on a second nine-week tour.
"We're going to try to work up to about 30 weeks a year," Sanders said.
Of appearing in Alva Sanders said, "I love coming back home.
"Every time I come home, it's harder to come back to Boston."
