Her name is Bonnie Kilroe, and she’s back!! The world-renowned Queen of Country imitators returns to Hemet on Saturday Night at the American Legion Post 53 in downtown Hemet. She’s been here before. She is loved by everyone, and she puts on one hellova show that you will not see anywhere else this side of Las Vegas.

When she steps up to the mike and sings Jolene – close your eyes – Dolly Parton emerges. She does them all: Cher, Reba McIntyre, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline – you name them she’s got ‘em.

Bonnie began her professional career as an award-winning entertainer more than 15 years ago, the last ten in which she has dedicated to her one-woman act – Celebrity Imposters. She has sang and strutted her stuff across local, national and international states, entertaining thousands along the way. Her venues vary: Theatres, convention centers, casinos, cruise ships and yes even in Hemet, thanks to the astute bookings by those wise ones at our local Legion Post.

She combines fabulous medleys of music, video and physical comedy. Her productions come from experience with professional values, combined with surprising twists, which bring laughter, delight and often some tears when she gets down into the depths of the soul of country.

She has been nominated and won many entertainment awards, as follows:

AWARDS WON:

Celebrity Impersonators Reel Awards

* Won – Best Comedy Act: Bonnie Kilroe as One-Woman Show

FINALIST:

* Bea Fogelman Lifetime Achievement Award

* Artist You’d Most Like to Work With

Sunburst Celebrity Impersonators and Tribute Artists Convention

AWARDS WON:

* Most Unique Act: Bonnie Kilroe as One-Woman Show

* Best Costume Female

These are only a few of her many tributes and awards.

If you’ve seen her before, you will want to see her again. If you have never seen her perform, you are in for a real down-home country evening. For more details, contact the American Legion Post 53 at 124 Ramona St, Hemet, CA 92543.

Remember folks – this isn’t just a commercial venture – it benefits the many veterans we have in our valley, so come on out and bring your kinfolk. Y’all hear? Just saying

rustystrait@gmail.com

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American Legion Post 53

Bonnie Kilroe, the ultimate Patsy Cline tribute girl brought something new and well-received at American Legion Post 53 dinner this past week. Not only was she articulate, she sporting a genuine Cline voice, but she opened her show with a sense of humor that kept the house in stitches. The dance floor was overrun with dancers, both country and urbanites.

The event started out at 7 a.m. when breakfast was served. That was followed by watching the Army/Navy’s annual battle for bragging rights. Navy won in a landslide. At 5:30 PM the doors were opened for the big event. Dinner was served at 6 and trust me, it was delicious.

At 7 PM Bonnie came bouncing out in cowboy Christmas garb. From the moment she hit the stage until two hours later, the joint was jumping. I think there were a few teardrops when she ended the show with Patsy’s signature song, “Crazy,” written by Willie Nelson. In between, she ran a songbook of Patsy’s recordings, several of which were new to me and probably a lot of others as well.

During the show she had folks in the audience join her on stage for some skits, truly incorporating the audience into the show. At the end she posed for pictures. She’s a real trooper and negotiations are now on for a return visit in March of next year.

There was an added attraction to the show: the new full liquor bar was now open. It was new to me, although veterans who are not members of the Post have suggested to me that Post 53 would garner a lot more activity from young veterans if there was a bar.  Now they have no excuses.

I also learned from conversations with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, that young veterans respect their comrades from past conflicts. However, sitting around recalling battles long gone, doesn’t necessarily enthuse some of the young veterans: they are interested in having a comradeship that lives in the future, such as what they are all doing now in civilian life.

I can echo those concerns. As a veteran of World War II, I have heard every story from Omaha Beach to the peace treaty signed between Japan and the United States on deck of the battleship Missouri. As a new generation becomes veterans, times have changed.

American Legion Post 53 is very involved in our community and is an excellent source of information needed by our veterans. Health, pensions and anything else that enhances the health and welfare of Valley veterans and their families is paramount. So, now you have it young vets: the legion is there for you too. So why not join up?  Next year you’ll get to see Bonnie Kilroe…and that’s worth the price of admission!

Just sayin’.

rustystrait@gmail.com

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Search: Pasty Cline Tribute

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