She’s still the “Queen of Country Music” in New York State and even though Josie Waverly of Hilton may have stepped away from performing for a time, she says she’s back and in it for the long haul.
Josie began her country music career in the 1990s and is set to entertain audiences again with her latest show entitled “Queens of Pure Country,” June 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at the RAPA Theatre, 200 West Ridge Road in Rochester.
“You’re going to love it,” Josie says of the show in which she portrays country music greats like Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Barbara Mandrell and Reba McEntire. “People flip right out when they see it.”
More than musical performances, the show has a storyline written by Josie. The setting is the 60th anniversary party of a honky-tonk. The character of Missy – played by Davida Bloom of Brockport – is remembering all the country greats she saw perform at the honky-tonk while growing up.
“I play nine different characters,” Josie says of her role(s). “At some points, I have to do a costume change within a minute-and-a-half.”
The show involved extensive research and preparation – “you get to see the evolution of country music through the show,” Josie says. She worked to perfect the portrayal of each female artist down to the costume and singing style. “Queens of Pure Country” also features the Josie Waverly Band.
The new show follows a production by Josie entitled “My Gal Patsy,” a self-written 90 minute tribute to Patsy Cline in which Josie starred as Patsy.
The “Queens of Pure Country” show is a full two hours and brings the roots of country to a whole new audience. “The music appeals to everybody,” Josie notes, “ages 13-93.”
Looking back at her career, Josie remembers she was on the road with her music – including trips to Nashville; four recording projects; and opening for the likes of such country music greats as Charlie Daniels, Tim McGraw, Loretta Lynn, Keith Urban and more – until 2000 when she broke her foot and then underwent back surgeries. Although she stepped away from the rigors of performing for a time, Josie never stopped caring for people and bringing them joy through her work. She worked as a recreation director in an assisted living facility and she and her husband also opened Josie’s Country Jukebox on Ridge Road in Parma.
“I wanted to own a place where I could sing,” Josie explains, “but I was so busy running the business, I didn’t have time to sing.”
Josie also helped to raise thousands of dollars for area charitable organizations and has received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow award, is an honorary member of the Hilton Fire Department and is in the NYS Country Hall of Fame.
After losing her grandmother and her mother-in-law, Josie once again felt the pull to get back up on stage. “I didn’t want to do bars,” she says. “I wanted to entertain, but in a different way.”
She began writing shows about eight years ago and created “My Gal Patsy” and now “Queens of Pure Country.”
She continues to go out with her trio during the week and the full Josie Waverly Band gets together for weekend work. She also travels with her shows although, “the road is a little tough,” she admits, however, “the people I travel with are a blessing to me,” she says.
Josie has no regrets as she looks back over her successful career.
“One reason I never went to Nashville (to stay), is that I wanted to feel rooted,” she says, but adds she did hope for “that one hit song. It’s all been great, I would not change any of it including the experiences in Nashville … meeting the stars I’ve met … it’s been a great thing.”
Josie has been married for 35 years and she and her husband, Bob, have two grown sons, both of whom are married and live nearby.
She has three grandchildren and twin grand-babies (a boy and a girl) are expected in August. Josie says she helps out with childcare for the grandchildren as well as with her husband’s business in addition to her musical work.
Josie muses she’d be a wealthy person if she had a nickel for each time someone asked her why she’s not in Nashville or Branson.
But she sees no reason to take her talent elsewhere.
“We have so much talent here,” she explains. “Talent is not a geographical thing. Why not have people come here for these kinds of shows?”
In addition to “Queens of Pure Country,” Josie is also at work on a production called “America’s Sweetheart of Song – Connie Francis,” in which she will star as Connie Francis. She says it will be very different for her to step outside the classic country genre, but she is excited about the show.
Also in the works are a series of children’s books about a character called Josie the Singing Butterfly. “I’m currently looking for an illustrator,” Josie says.
“I keep looking forward,” she says of her career and her creativity, “to what I can do to bring people happiness. I would do shows for free just to make people happy.”
Josie’s music has touched many over the years. People have told her more than once following performances, that her songs have helped them through difficult times and even prevented them from taking their own lives.
“One song can change a person’s life,” she observes.
Tickets for “Queens of Pure Country,” are available at the RAPA box office, all area Wegmans markets and atwww.Rapa.Theatre.org.
