Photo by Alison James
By day, Konner Bendall. By night – at least one night – the famous Johnny Cash. Bendall was one of several local talents to perform as part of “The Great Pretenders” performance at the Roxy last week.

July 28 was a banner night, with such big names as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, the Dixie Chicks and Hank Williams Sr. taking the stage at the Historic Roxy Theatre. How is it possible that so many talented artists were able to appear under one roof in Russellville – especially considering some of them are no longer living? These vocal geniuses were impersonated by friends and neighbors in Franklin County.

“The Great Pretenders” performed at the Roxy as part of the W.C. Handy Festival. The evening was emceed by Katernia Cole-Coffey, and the evening of musical entertainment was capped off by performances from The Copelands and Still Here. Performers included Buford Parker, Jacob Green, Bert Fowler, Ashley Cummins and Gary Cummings and family, among others.