Centennial celebration kicks off with concert
by Lara Cain, news editor
Thousands of residents from around the region filled the
City Bank Coliseum for the Lubbock Centennial Celebration,
hosted by country music singer Mac Davis.
The event was held on March 2 to serve
as the opening ceremony for the yearlong celebration being
held to commemorate Lubbock’s 100th birthday.
The show started with the presentation
of colors by the Marines, followed by the National Anthem,
which was performed by local group, The Cactus Cuties. The
Texas Tech University band and Lubbock Youth Orchestra
performed, while representatives of schools from Lubbock and
the surrounding areas, along with members of Lubbock civic
clubs and organizations were announced.
The area surrounding the stage was
decorated with classic wagons, cars, tractors and bales of
hay. The Stage was centered in the Coliseum, complete with a
‘Hi-d-Ho Drive in’ background where many performers made
their entrance.
Sports cars, old and new, were driven
around the Coliseum with significant figures to the city of
Lubbock aboard. Former professional athletes were presented,
along coaches such as Marsha Sharp, Louis Kelley and Bobby
Moegle. Mayor David Miller made an appearance as well. But
the real stars of the night were the entertainers.
Davis entered the stage and described
the night as the beginning of a yearlong party. He spoke of
his experience in Lubbock and what he was taught.
“Look through the windshield for the
future instead of the rearview mirror at the past,” Davis
said.
The show kicked off with a performance
of “Cotton Eyed Joe, ” sung by Billy McClaran, who was
joined on stage by cowboy and cowgirl dancers.
The night was filled with a variety of
music, artists and dancers. Joe Ely and Joel Guzman
performed, followed by Kenny Maines. Don Caldwell, the
event’s producer, also played his saxophone with the by
Lubbock Texas Rhythm Machine. The night also featured
performances by opera singers John Gillas and David Gashchen,
a graduate of Texas Tech University who has sung the role of
The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway.
The show was three hours long, with two
halves and an intermission. Throughout the evening, a
video with Lubbock’s history was played, narrated by actor
and Lamesa native Barry Corbin. The program was separated
into four time periods, and the music was chosen to reflect
those times.
The show ended with Davis, who had been
serving as the host all night, performing a few songs, which
earned him a standing ovation. He was joined on the last
song of his set by many of the night’s performers.
The Texas Tech ‘Goin’ Band from
Raiderland’ ended the evening by performing as everyone
dispersed into the night.
