Wallace State Singers Shine on Professional Stage at Country Tonite

Hanceville, Ala. — Members of the Wallace State Singers got a taste of what it’s like to perform on a professional stage when the ensemble from Wallace State Community College traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to perform at Country Tonite where three WSCC alumni currently work as entertainers.

“I found out about a program where school groups can apply to be pre-show entertainment and take part in a question-and-answer session with the cast about how it is to actually perform professionally,” said Wallace State Singers Director Tiffany Richter. She applied for the ensemble, and it was selected to perform at the Monday, Dec. 16 performance at the theater.

The ensemble performed a portion of its recent Christmas numbers from the college’s annual “Christmas Spectacular” and songs from their upcoming spring show “Chaos to Connection.”

Before the show, Marli Powell admitted she was a little nervous about performing.

“I’m kind of nervous, but the same time I’m not,” Powell said. “I’ve been looking forward to it. The nerves didn’t really set in until we did sound check earlier. I think it’s really cool because at Wallace we get a really good view of it being professional, but when we come here it’s real life.”

She said she was also looking forward to seeing former Wallace State Singers perform. Siblings Rayce and McCoy Cleghorn and Jairus Williams are each now performing at Country Tonite. All three are dancers in the show and Rayce and McCoy each sing, with both as featured artists on several songs.

Rayce was the first hired on at Country Tonite after starting with the theatre in October 2023. His sister Rayce followed in March 2024 and Williams joinied the cast this last September.

“Everything I did back home at Wallace State prepped me for this as far as how to be with people on stage, how to make sure everybody is OK and things like that,” Rayce said. 

He said having his sister join the cast with him was like a dream come true and then adding Williams was icing on the cake.

“Performing every night is literally a dream,” said McCoy. “It’s exactly what I want to be doing.”

“It’s been a pleasure and it’s been an honor,” Williams said of performing at Country Tonite. “I picked up the show pretty quick, so I’m in the entire show.”

While performing is fun, it’s also hard work the three said, noting they have to make sure and take care of themselves to be able to perform at top level.

“You have to learn how to make smart choices and do the best you can at the same time,” McCoy said. “You have to get a lot of rest and drink a lot of water and be smart about what you eat. And if you have to take vocal rest, you don’t talk during the day. If you need a day where you just have to lay around, you have to take it.”

All were excited and nervous about performing in front of their former instructors and classmates.

“We pulled up tonight and saw the Wallace bus and I was so nervous,” McCoy said. “These are the people I want to make proud,”

“I’m honored to see my fellow classmates to perform up here and I would love for them come up and join us,” Williams said.

A fourth Wallace State Singer is also performing in Pigeon Forge. Samantha Drake is currently a singer at Dollywood, performing with the Candlelight Carolers choir that sings daily in front of the Robert F. Thomas Chapel in the theme park.

Drake recently earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Jacksonville State. “I wanted to perform, but I was ready to go wherever the wind took me,” Drake said of her plans after graduating from JSU. She had auditioned at Dollywood previously while working her “survival jobs” before she received an email from Dollywood to join the choir, where she performs five shows a day.

“Wallace State taught me everything I know from interacting with audience members to being a good ensemble member,” Drake said. “I feel like I could handle anything.”

Richter said watching her former students perform professionally is a special treat.

“It makes me so proud to watch and to know that I was just a small part of that and to watch them blossom is incredible, especially since two of them didn’t plan to perform. They are loving it and having a great time.”

See photos from the Wallace State Singers performance and alumni performing at Country Tonite here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBVxXf

The Wallace State Singers perform on the stage of Country Tonite on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.

Siblings Rayce and McCoy Cleghorn perform at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Jay Williams and Rayce Cleghorn perform together at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.