Gala tickets almost gone

By Donnie A. Lucas

Tickets have sold fast over the last week for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala set for Oct. 9 featuring Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers.

As of Tuesday, only 35 of the original 300 tickets were available, according to Susan Waller, who is coordinating the event for the 17th year.

Waller said that she will start a wait list for anyone seeking tickets after the 300 seats are sold. The cost of a ticket is $50, which includes a prime rib dinner and a 75-minute performance by the famous group of brothers.

“If anyone who has purchased tickets has a change of plans, please let me know so I can resell those tickets,” she said. “I have started sending out the tickets that have been bought, so anyone who doesn’t get them within a week after they paid, please contact me.”

The deadline to return tickets and receive a refund is Oct. 1.

The Gala is being held again at Collins Creek Ranch near the old town site of Fort Griffin. The original fort, which is now a State Historical Site, is located just south of the former townsite.

As in the past, Gala proceeds will benefit the historic site.

For tickets, email Waller at susanftgriffin@aol.com, message her on the Friends of Fort Griffin Facebook page, or respond to the invitations that were recently sent in the mail.

Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, which is how they are known professionally, are Grammy award-winners who have “dazzled audiences for more than six decades.”

The group has accrued a lifetime of noteworthy achievements including a Grammy for Best Country Song, three ACM awards for Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year, along with five CMA nominations for Group of the Year, Single, and Album.

The brothers have accumulated seven No. 1 singles, 32 Top 40 records, and more than 20 studio albums, according to their publicist.

The brothers spent a portion of their childhood growing up in Abilene, first being recognized as childhood gospel singers.