Shindig at the Legendary Ernest Tubb Texas Troubadour Theater

The Texas Troubadour Theater (Music Valley Drive) was the setting for the Annual IFCO Shindig, Friday, June 10, 2005. Doors opened at 6:00 pm with the show starting soon after that.

IFCO (International Fan Club Organization) is known for setting up and operating fan clubs for artists such as Faith Hill, Clint Black, Sawyer Brown, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Keith Urban and many others. This organization was founded in 1967 by three lovely ladies, Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson who still run this organization today.

Host of the IFCO Shindig was Nashville Star 1 Finalist john Arthur martinez. john Arthur not only hosted but closed out this year's show.

The show's wide array of talent included:

Todd Fritsch, who sang "I've Got Mexico", and "I Don't Live Here Anymore".

Jayron Weaver, Nashville Star 3 finalist. His performance included his song, "She's Not The Kind" which he debuted on USA's Nashville Star television show.

Taylor Ware, this young girl (10 years old) has an incredible voice that will leave you thinking, "Where did That Come From?". She won the National Yahoo! Yodel Challenge.

Leah Durelle's rendition of LeeAnn Rimes "Blue", left you thinking that Lee Ann was performing right in front of you.

Austin Cody, winner of the 2005 IFCO Center Stage Star Search Show performed his latest release, "Destination You".

Damon Smith, a 1999 IFCO Center Stage Star Search Show contestant performed his song, "Redneck Girl".

Platinum recording and Grammy nominated country music artist David Ball performed his new single, "Too Much Blood In My Alcohol Level". This song was written by the same person who wrote David's hit "Riding with Private Malone" which he performed next. His new album is available on Wildcatter Records.

Kelly Lang, a three time winner on Ed McMahon's Star Search and a finalist on USA Network Nashville Star performed the song she wrote in tribute to Conway Twitty, titled "Goodbye Darlin'".
Her father was Conway Twitty's road manager for more than 25 years. She would "sit on the side of the stage with my dad and watch Conway perform." The performance was marked with Kelly sporting a very short hair style due to her 6 month battle with breast cancer.
She told the audience that she wasn't wearing her wig to "honor those women who have gone before me and those who will follow to fight this nasty disease." She then sang her song "Down on My Knees" while throwing pink bracelets to audience members for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Billy Yates, wrote George Jones' "Choices". He performed "Choices" along with "I Am Too Country and Proud of It".

Michael Peterson, who's hits include "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie and his first #1 hit, "From Here to Eternity" was electric on stage. His high-energy with "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie" had the crowd pumped up.

To close the show was the winner of the Texas Music Award "Record of the Year", singer and songwriter and host of this years IFCO Shindig, john Arthur martinez. jAm, as he is know by his fans, electrified the audience with his song "The Armadillo Song". He then did his song he wrote for his stepdaughter, "If I Didn't Care".

The end of the show brought out all of the performers for a group photos and following this was a meet & greet with all of the artists in the adjacent "Ernest Tubbs Record Shop".

Article Written & Submitted by Mary Maggart