NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
MCPHERSON, Kan. — For Matthew and Gunnar Nelson it is still meaningful even after a quarter of a century to bring their dad Ricky Nelson's music to life. Ricky Nelson Remembered plays the McPherson Opera House Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
"We thought our dad really deserved his own night," Gunnar Nelson said. "He sold half a billion singles in his career and had a bunch of number ones on his own. We put together a show that, originally, we were going to do a one off show in Yokosuka, Japan, for the naval base there for the commandant. It was for all the sailors who couldn't get back for Thanksgiving. We were only going to do that one show, but the response was so good, we decided to continue to do the show, just as long as people were coming to it and were interested. Here we are 25 years later, still doing that show. It's just improving every single time."
The twins perform their dad’s greatest hits (including “Poor Little Fool,” “Hello Mary Lou”, “Travelin’ Man”) alongside their own music, depending on the reaction of that night's crowd.
"They're such great iconic songs that were the fabric of America," Nelson said. "Songs for everybody, they are little time machines. They put you in this place and time. Hopefully, it was a good place and time in your life, but instantly, you are there. It's amazing. I liken music to as close to magic as you have on the planet. This particular show, what's great about this, it really unites multiple generations."
Ricky Nelson Remembered has played McPherson before and Gunnar Nelson loves the Opera House.
"To me, it's wonderful," Nelson said. "It hits me on two different levels. One, it feels like the world's biggest living room, which is great for performing and two, all that history is there, too, which is just an added bonus."
As of Thursday morning, available tickets start at $35. The McPherson Opera House is at 219 South Main in McPherson.
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