ji iif iv i r r t os earaomist sun stoiifiville tribune thursday jaa28 1999 23 -s- 18 hf hi arts entertainment 77ze entehdiner known as gdnadas country gefitlernan brings his music and his charm to markham bynoreenoxeary f j correspondent i v- r j jet readymusic fans qmadas country gentleman is j coming to town rj as part of a north american tour legendary musi- cian tommy hunter will be performing in markham for- the first time in his 50 years of entertaining at just nine years old hunter saw his idol roy acuff on stage for the very first time and was already learning his first guitar chords thats when i first found but about country music hunter said i knew from that moment on that performing was what i wanted to do hunters first professional engage ment was at age 10 and he has since entertained audiences across north america through live performances radio shows and television appear- ances x sv in 1965 the tommy hunter show debuted a30minute black and- white family program witlta country feel i fromihe very beginning hunters aim was to bring respect and credibil- ity to the country music industry by major country act in north america and became a vital showcase for upandcqmihg artists- many of whom have gone on to major popularity including garth brooks the judds and shania twain we hope that we were responsible for getting them start ed in some small way hunter said of all h accomplishments hunter cites his television show as one of which he is extremely proud being able to last on television longer than 13 weeks was a great achievement he said a lot of people assumed that if you made a hit record you were guar anteed to be a big television star but it was a lot of work im verygrateful to the fans who supported the show for so many years for now hunter is focusing his energy on live performances during his television days hunter said he didnt have enough time to devote to roadshows since the show ended in 1992 hes been touring about 70 days a year throughout canada and the united states and says he loves entertaining live audiences to any performer there is rioth- ing like the stage hunter said night after night is an instant reac tion anything can happen like gimmicks that distract entertaining is my main objec tive hunter is dedicated to his fans and after every concert spends hours signing autographs as a way of thanking them the fans are extremely important he said many of them have supported me for a long time and continue to support me today i like to maintain a high standard with them in 1990 hunter was inducted into the country music hall of fame walkway of stars he has also received the order of ontario and the order of canada recognizing his exception al public career and his exemplary family life in addition to music hunter has developed an interest in amateur photography and boating he is also deeply com mitted to using his talents on behalf of those less fortunate for most of his career hunter has been involved with chari table organizations such as the cystic fibrosis foundation and the starlight foundation tommy hunter will be performing at the- markham theatre feb 8 to 10 tickets are 4225 each and are available through the box office or by calling 3057569 involving the best writers and pro- tommy hunter makes his first appear- ductiori people available r ance in markham feb 8 9 and 10 we tried to get country music out of trie barn so that even if you did hot like the music wed still hunter said his success as a live performer is a result of his provide entertainment and a good crosssection of guests abilityto read his audience at each showa technique he he said during an interview learned at a young age v reigning for 27 years on television the tommy hunter in the early days i was always being thrust into different show made history as the longest running weekly show of its audiences he said id always try to read my audience kind before leaving the air in june 1992 beforehand so that when i went out mere i wouldnt be push- the show has been credited with hosting virtually every ing my music on them but rather entertaining them i dont fans can meet britney spears lowing among our young customers baxter said this is our opportunity to give something back to them fans can watch spears on much music early friday after noon before she makes her way to markham and on electric circus later that night britney spears noreenoleary correspondent teen singing sensation britney spears is makingan appearance at mafkyille shopping centre friday to promote her debut album ybabypnemoretime 1 according to music world r manager chad magoffin the appearance is expected to last from 5 to 7pnl and will include a threesong perfofmanceiri the centre court and autograph -ses- sion v 9 fmall managerclive baxter said hes expecting about 1000 fans v britney certainly hasalarge fol- thursday jan 28 open jam hosted by 42 street friday jan if f abu 10 us nobodies rock and roll saturdayjan 30 nobodies business sundayjan 31 a c cau for details- corner of hwy 7 arid mccowan rd bllase j- re come in today and enjoy bur amous atmosphere fabulous food and or a limited time these exceptional offers markham 3760 highway ml east 79059401300 whitby 1615 dundas street e 905 5768857 mississauga 715 bumhamthorpe rd w 905 2755006 barrie 411 bayfield st 705 7390924 airport 646 dixon rdw of hwy 401 4162431031 c our neiv menu coming uvliccebruanj 1 m m u lasagne grisanti s classic favourite served 7 ivitft untimite breads and asowc of steaming minestrone soup ll for just 639 j mnx 6 people per coupon iftif iil v iiijeii iffy ofrtxprr ftk 28mlrifiminttittgrtk2sm titwtrtxpirw m 25 i y i