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By Brian Mansfield of MusicCityNews.com
"“The Ryman or Bust.”
Misty’d had the red T-shirt with plain black lettering made especially for the finals of the From Tootsie’s to the Ryman talent competition, held September 21st at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. It turned out well: Her group, JR & Misty and the Roadkill Choir, won the contest, and an opening spot for Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Price.
With memorable song titles like “I’m Drinkin’ You Beautiful” and “You’re Too Ugly to Be Cheatin’ on Me,” JR & Misty sing humorous, ’60s-oriented country – hard shuffles, trucking songs, that sort of thing. Misty’s a curvy blonde with hoop earrings and a frayed denim skirt. Her more stoic partner, JR, favors sleeveless denim and well-worn ballcaps.
They might be a novelty act, but they’re a really good novelty act. Never one to miss a tie-in, Misty had sported a similarly tight Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge T-shirt during the second night of the contest, when she and JR beat out three other acts for a spot in the finals. She swiped Little Jimmy Dickens’ jokes and she shimmied out of her jacket. She also managed to work every sponsor – from Ford to Rolling Rock beer – into her stage patter.
JR & Misty’s three-song set ended with Misty doing a clogging solo – a move that brought a partial standing ovation from the crowd. It consisted mostly of fans they’d brought with them, but eventually audience members with other – or no – affiliation joined them.
Having beaten out competitors Buck Jones, Janny Hershey and the Whiskey Trippers, JR & Misty will open for the legendary Ray Price at WSM’s 80th anniversary concert at the Ryman Auditorium on October 21. They had to travel a few blocks to do it, but they’ll make that 42-step journey across the alley from the watering hole of the stars to the Mother Church of Country Music.
“Playing the Ryman is the honor of our life,” Misty said after learning of their win. “And the Cherokee Cowboys! Well, we’ll have to wear something real special for that, won’t we?”"
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