The Big River Theater -- Mac Cherry's Dream and Passion

If you haven't been down to the beautiful little river town of Alma, Wisconsin, (I love river towns) you owe it to yourself and those you love to drive down the scenic river road, Highway 35 outside of Durand, or Highway 37 out of Mondovi, to take in the sights and sounds, and I mean sounds as the trains run right along side the Mississippi and you get that lonesome whistle and the wondrous clatter of train cars as they deliver goods both north and south.
In addition, you have the deep, mournful call of the river barges as they, too, transport goods up and down the mighty river. There is nothing more striking than watching the barges , their search lights feeling along the shoreline through wispy fog, from the vantage point of the Alma Marina, or even better, high atop the bluff above Alma.

There's leather goods stores, art stores, great food, but the gem of gems in Alma is The Big River Theater at 121 South Main Street. If you are going south, it will be on your left. Blink and you will miss it! I miss it every time and end up turning around down by the feed mill. There is only one word to describe this performer and audience's paradise: intimate. Having performed there, I can tell you that it is, without a doubt, one of the best rooms in the state for live performance.

Owner and entrepreneur Mac Cherry has passionately brought The Big River Theater to life. In addition to being both an excellent musician (he's a lefty!) and singer, the man is a man with a vision and a dream. In the not too distant past, he conjured the idea of putting together a radio show with a house band and guest performers, in the fashion of one GK and has stepped up and put his dream into motion.

From what I understand he has a number of shows "in the can" (show biz talk for taped) and he is now busily attempting to get the show into syndication. Friday night, August 31, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be one of his guest performers and we had a great time! The audiences for both the 6PM and the 8PM shows were caught up in Mac Cherry's dream web and responded in kind.

So here's a tip! Autumn is already coming down the track. That means the extra added attraction of another great artist as nature splashes the oaks and maples and you can take in two great shows!