A half hour before the barbecue and country-music performance was scheduled to get underway in their beautiful backyard, Anne and Steve Stodghill’s estate was well fortified for the “All for the Hall Dallas” patron party on Tuesday evening, September 21. Between State Troopers and security types in black cowboy hats, the property’s perimeter and interior were as secure as the Vatican’s secret archives.
As well it should have been. From politico hierarchy like Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and former Director of National Intelligence John Radcliffe to C&W royalty Trisha Yearwood, the place was a true gathering of those requiring security.
The occasion was several years in the making by the Stodghills, who along with Katy and Lawrence Bock, Terri and Kurt Johnson, Jonika and Corky Nix, Lisa and Joe Bob Shirley and Sunie and Steve Solomon had arranged for Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to take a chance on holding its “All for the Hall” fundraiser in North Texas last year. Even after the pandemic bucked the 2020 event to the ground, the Stodgies soldiered ahead, looking to succeed in 2021.
And, succeed they did.
Original guess-timates were for 150 guests to attend the outdoor party — the first half of a two-day event — but leave it to the Stodgies to have a turnout of about 200, like Dylan French with Alyssa Vargas, Nidia and Adam Olivas, Amy and Corey Prestidge, Laura and Dennis Moon, Tara and Tom Walsh, Kim and Marty Lehman, JD Miller with Alexis Davila and Chelsea Holden, filling their art-filled backyard.
In the days leading up to the party, weather guessers had suggested that the area’s first cool-down meant a 20% chance of showers on the day. But the Stodgies would hear nothing of such nay-saying.
Instead the temperatures were in the friendly 80s, with occasional breezes preventing the slightest sign of perspiration.
While Texas First Lady Cecilia played it safe with a shawl, just in case, Sunie wore a priceless red, French-leather dress with a hem that didn’t quite make it down to her knee.
One of the topics of the night was “Yellowstone” … not the park, but rather the TV series. Viewing vets like Katy and Lawrence and Alison and Harry Hunsicker were looking forward to the new season starting in November. On the other hand, Stubbs Davis admitted that he hadn’t seen it. No surprise.
Papa Stubbs and mama Holly Davis have been preoccupied with daughter Landry Davis’ earning the Miss Texas Teen USA crown. But a sudden beauty queen crisis arose. Landry had forgotten bobby pins to keep her tiara in place. Without hesitation, Holly put out a call for Anne, who came to the rescue. Landry emerged with tiara in place atop her blonde hair. She’ll be competing for the national title of Miss Teen USA in Tulsa on Saturday, November 27.
And speaking of Anne, one couldn’t help but notice the bejeweled Bevo ring on her right hand. One fellow mused, “That could put out someone’s eyes.”
Former Cattle Baron’s Co-Chairs Mary Parker and Mary Martha Pickens arrived with their husbands Joe Parker and Dr. John Pickens. Mary reported that she had rescued a baby black kitten with green eyes that was malnourished. After a vet checkup and a three-figure bill, the kitten was made part of the Parker household with the name “Cindy,” for Cinderella. Lucky cat.
Once up on the raised stage, Trisha said that, like many others, she was just getting used to being out and about, and hoped that the SRO crowd would understand if she chatted a bit. “I haven’t done a gig in a long time,” she said, admitting to a little nervousness before mentioning her husband, C&W superstar Garth Brooks. “Garth said, ‘Just tell ’em that!’ That’s probably why he’s a seven-time Entertainer of the Year.”
Accompanied by a keyboard player and an acoustic guitarist, Trisha proceeded to mix memories of her 30-year career with powerful versions of her biggest hits in a lengthy, well-received set. Among the familiar tunes: “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl),” “The Wrong Side of Memphis” and “She’s In Love With the Boy.”
While she’s always loved country stalwarts like Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn, Trisha said, she also greatly admires the pop singer Linda Ronstadt — and then proved it with a rendition of Linda’s “Blue Bayou.” At another point, introducing the song “Cowboys are My Weakness,” she said, “This one’s all about cowboys, and it makes me think of my cowboy.”
A little later, Trisha even waxed poetic about the Stodghills’ spectacular backyard. “When you hear you’re gonna be playin’ in somebody’s backyard, you think, ‘That’s nice.’ Then you get here and you go, ‘Ooooooohhhh.’ The trees have their own lights!”
For more looks of the evening, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.
Stubbs Davis says
What a night, it was magical!