Saturday's gala will feature music, comedy and dancing
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

WALKER

From strolling musicians to stand up comics and roping experts, there will be entertainment galore at this weekend's Wharton Rotary Gala.

The 16th annual event, scheduled for Saturday at the Wharton Civic Center, will feature four stage acts and a slew of "traveling" musicians and entertainers. Kicking things off at 6 p.m. will be Pamela Hubenak, a Louisiana native who has entertained Wharton audi- ences and scooped up awards at talent shows with a cappella and karaoke performances.

The subscription manager for the Journal-Spectator in her day job, Hubenak will focus her talents on songs made famous by the great ladies of County Western music, including such notables as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Kitty Wells and Tanya Tucker.

Hubenak will provide the entertainment during the one hour reception, during which time guests will mingle and enjoy a full buffet and adult beverages.

At 7 p.m., opening act Al Walker will take the stage.

A "motivational humorist" from Columbia, S.C., Walker has won numerous awards from the National Speakers Association, including a coveted Cavett Award.

HUBENAK

"He is a seasoned humorist and colleague of Jeanne Robertson, the 'Tall Lady' who was part of last year's Gala," said Rotarian Doc Blakely, who is overseeing the entertainment for Saturday's event.

"She was a big hit."

The Bellamy Brothers will come on around 8:15 p.m.

Headliners of the event, the Bellamy Brothers "are the most nominated duo in Country Western history," according to Blakely.

They have released over 28 albums, which have garnered over 13 No. 1 singles, over 30 Top 10 hits and 52 chart singles, and have earned Gold and Platinum albums in Europe, Germany, Japan and Australia.

Their hits include: Let Your Love Flow, If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me), Redneck Girl, For All The Wrong Reasons

and I Need More of You.

Their current album, "Lonely Planet," is the dyn amic duo's 29th release.

Blakely said the Bellamy Brothers travel out of Florida and raise Brahman cattle in their spare time.

After the Bellamy Brothers wrap up, Jeff Rainer and Steel Country will take the stage. Based in north central Florida, the band covers tunes from southern rock to Texas blues to classic country.

Steel Country will provide live music for a dance that will last until midnight.

But guests don't have to wait until then to get up and move to the music.

At this year's event, dancing "will be allowed and encouraged throughout the presentation," Blakely said.

Tickets, for $50 each, are now on sale, available by calling Rotarian Charles Chambers at 532-4572.

But there's only a limited number available.

"It looks like we're going to have a sellout, but tickets are (currently) still available," Blakely said.

Rotarians buy their own tickets as well. That's to ensure the proceeds from the event don't get consumed by the costs.

Sponsors enable that to happen as well.

Funds raised Saturday night will be earmarked for 20 different charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Wharton.

The Rotary Club has been a consistent sponsor of the club since its inception.

"Our sponsors cover all costs for entertainers, so every dollar for ticket sales goes into the Gala fund," Blakely said.