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Martha and Ronnie Arnold founded the Great
Pretenders as a way to raise money for their local Rotary Club
and fill Martha's empty nest syndrome.
Every year about July, Edgar Floyd of Gleason starts
growing his beard because he knows the community wide
production of "The Great Pretenders" is just around the
corner. That's when physician assistant J.C. Carey is
transformed into a giggling lunatic who makes racy, late night
phone calls to the "Margaret" of Ray Stephens fame. The Great
Pretenders, a full-scale impersonation of famed characters
that over the past ten years has taken West Tennessee by
storm, helps to fund worthy causes from civic club projects to
Project Graduations.
And it's all thanks to the ingenuity of two special folks in
the tri-counties community: Ronnie and Martha Arnold of
Gleason. That the two cater to seniors and their parents is
ironically the result of Martha's dealing with "empty nest"
syndrome some 11 years ago. After years of life centered
around the activities of their son, Kent, when he went away to
college, Martha says, "We looked at each other and thought,
"What do we do now?"
Because singing had previously been a passion for Martha,
Ronnie encouraged her to begin singing once more in order to
fill the void she felt in her life. About the same time, the
two were returning from Nashville when they spied a limousine
and wondered what country music artist might be inside.
With Ronnie a member of the Gleason Rotary Club, the two were
also mindful that money needed to be raised to fund a softball
field project to which the club was already financially
committed. They mused how great it could be if they could
stage a major concert in Gleason, but knew the costs would be
prohibitive.
It occurred to Ronnie that they could perform the concert
themselves, and pretend to be famous performers. He mentioned
the thought to Martha and, she says, "once we got the idea, it
kind of evolved."
They started watching their fellow Rotarians, wondering who
could best portray which country singers. The gleaned from the
Platters hit, "The Great Pretenders", a name for the project,
a title that stuck with the song still performed at the end of
each production.
"It's amazing how people with a little help could really look
like the country music stars," Martha says. "Edgar Floyd made
a good Willie Nelson, J.C. Carey was a dead ringer for Ray
Stevens and just as crazy, I was really into Patsy Cline, and
Ronnie always liked Roy Orbison... We had so much fun with
that first production."
The late Bob Owen, shown here in Gleason's second Great
Pretenders concert, was the "cheerleader" of the annual
project, according to founder Martha Arnold who says,
"He loved it. He would go out in the crowd and get them
cheering and clapping." Owen is one of several now
missed, including state trooper Larry Rouse who, she
says, "really got into his part as Jed Clampett." The
1994 stage was stark in comparison with today's
professional production as Ronnie and Martha strive each
year to improve their product. |
And, Ronnie recalls, "It was amazing the participation we
had."
Used to barbecue chicken sales and similar projects that might
bring in $200 for a day's work, the club anticipated selling
300 tickets at $5.00 each to raise the needed $1500. Instead,
says Ronnie, "We ended up having two shows. We sold 1,000
tickets and had great fun doing it."
It wasn't the last time the Arnolds were surprised by the
popularity of their concept. Ronnie recalls that after a big
ice storm in the winter of 1994, they figured the show,
sponsored by the McKenzie Lions Club and McKenzie High School
Project Graduation, would go on just in case someone showed
up.
"There was no electricity anywhere, except where we having the
show at Bethel," he says. "We didn't think anyone would come
but we packed the house; we had a great show that year."
The show proved that the Arnolds' step-by-step formula for
success, that they share with their customers, works.
Another sell-out crowd occurred just after 9-11. The couple
procured a huge American flag that was unfurled during the
cast's rendition of "God Bless the U.S.A."
"That was very, very moving," says Martha.
The Great Pretenders has progressed dramatically from that
first production, when the two juggled cassette tapes between
numbers and used homemade spotlights. Over the years, the
production has become professional in quality with the Arnolds
adding new equipment each year in a continuing effort at
improving the set, while also replacing that which has worn
out. They've added new lights and sound equipment and are
especially proud of the confetti cannon that has added pizzazz
to the show the last couple of years.
Their second production benefited the Greenfield Rotary Club,
a step that has taken them to their current ten to eleven
shows per year, having carried on the project themselves when,
after a couple of years, it outgrew the club's ability to keep
up with demand.
The Arnolds credit Debbie and James Jarrett for their
assistance in past productions as well as Gaylon Biggs who
helps out with sound from time to time, plus Jonathan Chappell
who helps with stage and sound.
The part-time endeavor is not for the faint of heart: "The
pace is all consuming," says Martha. "It's a group effort."
After six weeks of at least weekly rehearsals, which may take
place at two or three locations per week during prime season,
setting up for an event takes about four hours, Ronnie says.
For both Ronnie and Martha, their greatest joy in the Great
Pretenders has been working with the students and parents in
fund raising events for Project Graduations in various
regional school systems. The events are more special, the two
relate, because they represent, for many, the last opportunity
for family togetherness and fun before the child leaves home.
"Once that child leaves home they may never have that
closeness again," Martha says, her normally bright smile
somewhat wan in remembrance of her own empty nest from which
the Great Pretenders was spawned.
On a brighter note, Ronnie relates the project also gives
parents the opportunity to "act like a kid again."
He estimates they he and Martha have met between 7,500 and
10,000 people, mostly students and parents, who have
participated in the shows.
"We don't always remember names but we remember faces," says
Martha, noting they take particular joy in seeing again those
they've met in productions. "In the six weeks we work with
them we develop an incredible closeness."
Adds Ronnie, "Part of the joy is that it's not a talent
contest; we take whatever they bring us and we're always
amazed... they come and blossom."
"They spread their wings and shine," Martha agrees. "We really
see the best side of them; we're always overjoyed with the
response we get from the students."
The Arnolds rave about previously untapped talent that is
discovered when students and parents beginning practicing for
their performances. They love seeing students, who may
previously have shunned participation in other activities,
realize their potential.
Huntingdon High School seniors
and parents in 1994 perform as Barry White and back up singers
and musicians.
The sheer volume of time and energy it takes to produce the
shows takes its toll on the Arnolds' weekends. Ronnie handles
the stage production while Martha performs as emcee and assist
with special effects and spot lighting.
"It takes all three hands," Ronnie says. "And some feet,"
Martha adds.
It's sometimes 1:00 in the morning before they arrive back
home to collapse in exhaustion.
"It may take a couple of days to recover," smiles Martha, "but
when the next one comes along and we see the eager faces,
we're ready to go again."
The Arnolds try to keep their productions within an hour's
drive of home, which means that each year they are forced to
turn down performances outside that range.
Many of their shows are repeats from former years. This will
be the tenth production at Huntingdon High School and they
have been working with Project Graduations at other schools
for eight or nine years each. With repeat performances
scheduled from year to year in advance, the Arnolds' schedule
has little room for additions. In order to keep the schedule
manageable, their goal is to have no more than two practices
for different schools each week. They take bookings for both
spring and fall shows.
"About the end of April we wonder why we're still doing this,"
Martha laughs.
Besides the Great Pretenders, she says, "We both have jobs and
family and that's about all we can handle."
"And church," Ronnie adds. The couple attends First Methodist
Church in Gleason. Martha works at the Bank of Gleason while
Ronnie is employed across the street from the bank at AMA
Insurance Company.
Their son, Kent, now 31, is married to Christy Wilson Arnold,
also of Gleason. The pair live in Dickson with their two
children, Eric, who will soon be 4, and Nolan Elise, 18
months.
"They kind of fill our lives right now," smiles Martha.
How long do the Arnolds plan to continue their adventure?
"As long as it's fun and we think we're continuing to reach
those goals we're after," says Martha. "We love the results of
what we do."
From Ron and Martha...
"What's our motivation for doing these shows year after
year? We have always enjoyed working with seniors and
their parents and feel that in some small way we are
bringing people together in a spirit of cooperation to
form a cohesive group, hoping we can show students you
can have a lot of fun doing a clean, family show without
vulgarity or alcohol.
"Comments from a principal: 'I wish we could do your
show at the beginning of the school year; these kids are
different after they've been in the Great Pretenders,
they're closer and have a different attitude after the
show.'
"Comments from a teacher: 'That boy or girl never
participated in anything before the Great Pretenders. He
is so happy to be included.'
"Comments from parents: 'I'll have a senior in three
more years and I already know what I want to do. I can't
wait.'"
The Arnolds get letters...
"I would like to thank you for being so patient... I was
told you were great to work with and I found out that
was very true.
"I remember when you first said things would look so
different from the first practice until the last. I had
my doubt but the final production was great. I think it
will be memories our seniors and parents will cherish
forever.
I thought I would be glad when it was over, but after
everything was cleaned up I took a look at the stage and
thought it was a little sad. It just meant to me, I was
a little closer to sending my daughter off into this
world..."---
"Thanks, I've enjoyed the three times I've done the
Great Pretenders. They have always been good. This was
my last child but I'll come and see future shows."
---
"Again, there are not enough words to say thanks for
your part in making this year so memorable for us..."
---
"What you said in cast meeting about making memories was
exactly right. When we look back over the pictures we
took we have great memories. It was lots of hard work
but it was fun... Great Pretenders was a great success,
we owe that to you." |
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