Gene Watson is no stranger to Texarkana-area audiences. He’ll be in town once again at the Oaklawn Opry for a country music show that benefits locals in need.

Watson will perform at the Opry at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, with four local country acts: Myra Rolen, Terry England, Sissy Privitt, and Robbin Stiner.

Palestine, Texas-born Watson has had a string of country hits over the years, including “Love in the Hot Afternoon,” “Paper Rosie,” “Fourteen Carat Mind,” and “Nothing Sure Looked Good on you.”

He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002, and a special spotlight exhibit (“Gene Watson: Fourteen Carat Voice”) will soon open at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn.

For Circle of Hope Ministries, it’s a coup to get Watson to help out.

“Actually Gene Watson is a very kindhearted performer and he is very liberal as far as doing fund-raisers. He has a big heart for people and helping people,” said Circle of Hope’s Darlene Stiner, “so he was able to come in and do this for us.”

Circle of Hope is a nonprofit organization here in Texarkana that assists folks who have little to no insurance within a 50-mile radius of Texarkana with their prescription purchases.

“Anyone who is interested in this type of assistance can apply at Fabulous Finds Thrift Shoppe,” she said. It’s located at 1301 E. 35th St.

Stiner said part of Watson’s appeal is that he’s captured both younger and older country music fans. Apart from Watson, four local performers will be on hand for the country concert.

“They’re going to do a great job,” Stiner said, adding she’d love to see a full house there at the Oaklawn Opry.



(Tickets: $15 per person and can be purchased at the door or in advance. For more information, call the thrift store at 870-779-0592, Cheryl Tibbit at 903-824-8048, or Darlene Stiner at 903-490-6863.)