Ronnie McDowell performs for 25th year

Special presentations were the theme of the evening Saturday, with one-of-a-kind moments throughout the evening. Arguably the most special moment of the evening was the revealing of a marble tile in McDowell’s honor that was installed in the sidewalk in front of the theatre.

Ronnie McDowell has missed only one year since he began performing annual in Russellville in 1990. For this year’s concert to benefit the Roxy Theatre, a number of special presentations marked the auspicious occasion. Arguably the most special moment of the evening was the revealing of a marble tile in McDowell’s honor that was installed in the sidewalk in front of the theatre.

The tile, which McDowell said is “one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten,” was the result of a brainstorm among Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council members Chase Sparks and Wanda Myrick along with Mayor David Grissom, as well as others. The lasting memorial is designed to recognize McDowell’s efforts in raising money for the continued renovation of the theatre.

“He’s always raised money for our county,” Myrick said. “We just wanted something that would be there later on for people to see.”

The tile was created by Atkins Marble & Granite Works in the span of about a week. “It’s beautiful. I love it. And Ronnie loved it – I could tell,” Myrick said.

McDowell performed to a sold-out crowd Saturday, with the show opened by Jacob Green.