Gayville Hall celebrates Merle Haggard Saturday

Gayville Hall presents its long-awaited "A Celebration of Merle Haggard," starring John and Susan McNeill, Nick Schwebach, and Owen DeJong, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, in Gayville.

The debut of the show was originally scheduled last December at the alcohol-and-smoke-free music venue, only to be cancelled because of a snow storm.

John McNeill, of Springfield, will sing many of Haggard's songs in the two-hour concert. He is emcee and a regular performer at Gayville Hall with his wife Susan and created the hall's tributes to Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.

Schwebach, who plays lead and steel guitars, and DeJong, on fiddle, are members of the band Poker Alice. They have toured with "Always … Patsy Cline" and Gayville Hall's "Dakota Opry," Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash tribute shows. They are from rural Wakonda.

Gayville Hall is located at 502 Washington Street in Gayville. Tickets are $10 at the door or $12.50 for a reserved seat. Call (605) 267-2859.