Reading of Original Play "Real Country" Planned Feb. 22
February 14, 2024
"Real Country" to Debut in Feb. 22 Reading
An original play will make its debut in a reading performed by faculty members and students at Walters State Community College.
“Real Country” is a three-act play written by Jack Truman, instructor and director
of the college’s theatre program. Each act focuses on a country legend from the 1950s,
1960s and 1970s.
The reading will be performed on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in the lyceum, located
in the Dr. Wade B. McCamey Student Services Building on the Walters State Morristown
Campus. Admission is free.
“I grew up on country music,” Truman said. “This has always been an important subject
to me. I started thinking ‘what if’ and these stories began. I created fictional situations
involving country music legends.”
The first act of the play is dedicated to Jim Reeves, one of the most distinctive
and successful country music singers of the 1950s. His smooth baritone voice made
“Welcome to My World” and “He’ll Have to Go” radio classics. Reeves continued to have
chart success even after his 1964 death in an airplane crash.
The second act centers on a conversation between Loretta Lynn and Connie Smith. Both
women dominated country music in the 1960s. Lynn, who died in 2022, is considered
one of the most influential country music singers of all time. Her hits included “Coal
Miner’s Daughter” and “Don’t Come a Drinkin’ (with Lovin’ on Your Mind).” Smith is
known for hits like “Once A Day” and “Cry, Cry, Cry.” She still performs occasionally
at the Grand Ole Opry. Both women are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The third act honors Johnny Rodriguez, one of the most successful country music artists
of the 1970s. His songs included “Pass Me By” and “Love Put a Song in my Heart.” Rodriguez
still tours and released his first live album in 2012.
Truman said the plays will be entertaining to both country music fans and those who
don’t listen to the genre.
“Everyone will be able to connect and relate to these stories.”