Appling Junction draws large crowd
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The Appling County Choral Department and the Choral Boosters hosted a night of music, dancing, and corny jokes at the annual Appling Junction on the evening of Friday, October 3, at the ACHS Fine Arts Center. The one-night-only event drew a significant crowd, testing the capacity of the ACHS Fine Arts Center.
Directors for the choral department are Karen Davis, Cami Crosby, and Page Hale. Instrumentalists for the night included pianists Jeff Lewis, Marcel McManus, and David Williams, bassists KJ Jackson, Ryan Flowers, Aiden Evans, and Andre Bradshaw, guitarists Carter Lasky and Gunner Hale, and drummers Jon Beck, KJ Jackson, and Aiden Evans.
The show began with a special thank you to the staff of the school system, including the Superintendent, Board of Education, and teachers.
The Appling Junction theme song was led by the Junction Gang, with soloists Carter Alaska and CJ Sailem. The emcees for the program, Winnie Merle (Baleigh Rushing) and Conductor Jeb (Coltyn King), led the audience on the train tour saluting the rural communities surrounding Baxley, like Graham, Surrency, Odum, and many more.
The first official act of the night was by Stacie Grandstaff, who performed “Down at the Twist and Shout.”
Carter Lasky and CJ Sailem showcased their acting chops with the Appling Junction classic, “Pickin’ & Grinnin’” before Ash Smith sang his solo: Josh Turner’s country hit, “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”
Next, Natalie Todd performed “You Were Mine” by the Chicks, with background vocals from Camille Floyd and Dallas Johnson.
Kate Wiggins performed “Any Man of Mine” with dancers Chaslyn Stone and Kenzie Brantley.
Lundynn Spearman and Carter Lasky performed their duet, “Home” by Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros.
After that, Camille Floyd wowed the audience with her Dolly Parton solo, “Why’d ya Come in Here.”
A quartet comprised of Damaricus Green, Carter Lasky, CJ Sailem, and Ash Smith sang “Elvira” as performed by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Jeremiah Blaine, Damaricus Green, Alyssa Hall, Jane Hall, Dallas Johnson, Emily Rentz, and CJ Sailem performed “For Your Glory.”
Baleigh Rushing performed Cowboy Casanova with dancers Damaricus Green and CJ Sailem.
Damaricus Green entertained the crowd with his solo “Country Girl, Shake it for Me” by Luke Bryan, with an ensemble dance production from the entire choral department.
The second half of the show primarily featured gospel music in the style of the Gaither Homecoming Band. Following an intermission, Hope (Freda Jones, Melissa Rentz, and Ray Thrift) performed “I Shall Never Forget the Day.”
The Tomberlin Brothers performed “Where Would I Go but to the Lord.”
Jonathan and Ansley Hickox sang their duet “What a Day That Will Be.”
The ‘In Him’ trio (Kim Hall, Kara Hallman, and Kim Johnson) performed the hymn “Because He Lives.”
The Voices of Genesis (Joy Edwards, Christian Edwards, DaiJia ‘DJ’ Edwards, and Hykeem Hollaway) led the audience and the entire Junction gang in their rendition of the hymn “I’ll Fly Away.”
The ACES and ACMS Choruses and Show Choir performed the Christian radio hit “You Say” by Lauren Daigle.
Carter Lasky sang his solo “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan.
Next, CJ Sailem performed “What was I Thinking,” before Arabella Flowers, Camille Floyd, Carter Lasky, Ash Smith, and Natalie Todd performed the song “Boondocks” by Little Big Town.
As always, the show concluded with the Choral Department and Alumni ensemble singing America the Beautiful.
The night could not have been a success without the help of stage manager Robert Sharpe, sound director Greg Hanson, and the lighting crew of Kaden Kersey, Bailey Walker, Madison Hanson, and Andre Bradshaw.
