Cathi Rhodes: News

I just have to say what an evening it was at The Grand Theatre in Elizabeth PA last night! The house was SOLD OUT...again...and that does my heart GOOD!

The MAYOR even sent his card backstage to me BEFORE the show, saying that he welcomes me back into his town ANYTIME! To me, that's a big deal, and I treasure that welcome. Lori & Ken, Margaret, Kathy and the rest of the staff are to be commended for making me feel like a celebrity! Posters of my concert were in businesses all over town and Lori was turning numerous people away several hours prior to the concert, due to it being a sell-out! She said the next time, we'll book more than one night again. So sorry I already had a booking scheduled, or I WOULD have come back for a second show.

The Grand Theatre REALLY knows how to promote their events with color programs, tickets and posters and simply having the audience who are hungry for the type of shows I do. Many of them follow me wherever I sing and I truly thank them for their dedication. I look forward to going back to The Grand to make more 'new friends' and to reunite with my dearest ones! Thanks, everybody, for helping to create such wonderful memories. I love you.

That's right!! I have been chosen as one of the many performers to entertain the crowd at this year's awesome Westmoreland Arts & Heritage festival!! I just received my contract and am SO proud to be able to sing there this year on the Cabaret Stage on Friday, July 2, 2010 from 2 to 3:30 PM. DON'T MISS IT!! See you there!!

Cathi, I gotta tell ya, you are definitely a born entertainer! One of the very rare few I've ever seen! Everybody is in love with you, I knew it, I knew it! That theater should be paying you really BIG BUCKS because of all of the positive vibes that you bring to the place! You're ability to charm the heck out of people is amazing, but your professionalism really stands out on stage. Even after a 3rd consecutive performance and a few minor muffs by the band, you absolutely RULE that stage! You were able to move seamlessly from cheerful banter with the crowd to moving the show along musically without apparently breaking a sweat and not an outward trace of nerves. I could NEVER do what you do and do it so seemingly effortlessly! You do indeed LOVE performing and it shows! .....Your voice carries the show. I really like your brother Byrd, and my wife thought Joey provided some great comic relief! He's also a VERY good mandolin player! She is of the opinion that you should perform with a LIVE band all the time. She is now going to take the kids to see Charlotte's web and more because she is SO impressed with your theater! She even gave me hell for NOT reaching out to you in the aisle during your Bill Bailey number?! ... Your upright bass player, piano player ~ SOLID, SOLID! You've got a great growl in your voice too when you want it. Cathi Rhodes, as I suspected, you're the REAL DEAL! ~~~ DL

We’ll always remember your sweet, smiling face
And miss the deep tones of your upright bass.
It’s so hard to believe a whole year has passed
Our love for you, Mark, will forever last.

You’re in a better place, this we know is true
And in our hearts is where we hold you.
Together we will be again one day
We still can’t believe that you’ve gone away.

At least you’re now in the arms of our Dad
But we miss you so much and are always so sad.
So watch over us as we remember you
With a family’s love that is so strong and true.

They're back! And with LIVE musicians this time! Mark your calendars for March 19, 20 & 21, 2010 ..... Ligonier Theater, 210 West Main Street, Ligonier. Reservations highly recommended! 724. 238. 6514. Get your tickets NOW!

I have agreed to perform next summer on the Gateway Clipper for the luncheon cruises on June 25, July 30 and August 27. Please check out www.gatewayclipper.com to make reservations for a really FUN day! See the city sights from the exciting river tour that offers gracious service and delicious food PLUS super entertainment! Get a group together to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, special occasion -- or let's invent one!! Is there a Pirate game later that day? Family reunion? Ladies day out? Boys day out? Come on down to the river for lunch first! We'll have a great time!

Since I performed on The Majestic this past spring, I have recently been contacted by the Marketing office that they are interested in the possibility of having me sing on Luncheon Cruises during the months of June, July & August! I will keep you posted, so you can join in on the excitement of cruising down the beautiful rivers in Pittsburgh while having a delicious lunch. Stay tuned!!

hey cathi, we went to see the show at the theater in S------------, u know elvis & other stuff. well we were much disappointed & won't go back again. we will b calling tho for reservations for y'r show which we loved.
jim amorose

...HERE I COME!!!! Suzanne Varitek, Entertainment Buyer, has changed two performance dates at the Resort(mine & Elvis plus Neil Diamond and Dean Martin) so I will let you all know just as soon as she gives us the new dates. I will share the stage with none other than The King himself...ELVIS! I uderstand he's one of the BEST tribute artists devoted to Elvis. Suzanne is a fabulous Anne Murray and Karen Carpenter Tribute Artist herself, so if you EVER get the chance to hear these two, treat yourself to the very best! Come to Mountaineer Resort & Casino...even if you don't gamble!! We'll have a grand old time!

MY DEAR BROTHER...thinking of you on what would have been your 51st Birthday, January 26.

Is it one whole month already since we've been without you, sweet one? Can it be? We miss you so much.

Mark Rhodes was not only my baby brother, he was a smiling sweet man who brought happiness to all who knew him. He played upright bass for The Rhodes Brothers Bluegrass Band and also in seven of the ten SOLD OUT stage productions of 'Always...Patsy Cline.' He loved playing pool and riding his Harley.

Although he had asthma all his life, he still sang and played his music with such gusto! He was amazing for a self-taught musician, as all my brothers are. I am VERY proud of all of them.

Mark will ALWAYS be remembered with much love and respected for his talent. Please keep my family in your prayers. God Bless You.

IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see.
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand

And said my place was ready, in heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye, For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all that we had shared, and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day is the same way, there's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free. So won't you come and take my hand, and celebrate my life with me

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.

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NOT, HOW DID HE DIE, BUT HOW DID HE LIVE?

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not what was his church nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever-ready with a word of good cheer
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the picture in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he pased away.

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REST AND REWARD

The Bible leaves no doubt that there is life after death. Humanity is created for eternity. The earthly life is but an overture, a prelude of reality to come. Blessed -- happy -- to be envied -- are the dead who 'die in the Lord.' They are people who, during their life, believed in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. When they exchange the temporal for the eternal, their work is done forever. Thy finally have rest. All the troubles and tensions of their earthly existence are behind them. They have arrived at their eternal destination. They are HOME!

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Please keep our family in your prayers, especially for my dear mother, who is the ROCK of our loving, close family. Thank you for each and every prayer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Email me at i.sing4u@yahoo.com and I will see to it that you receive your copy!!! AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

Such FUN in Erie! Four shows under our belts and the last audience didn't want me to leave the stage! Ha Ha! They had me sing 3 more songs for an encore and they were singing and dancing along with me. What a terrific place, Junior's Last Laugh Comedy Club!!! Debbie & Doug Richardson are the best ever and I REALLY HOPE a LOT of you can make it up there to visit them SOON. Check out the links page and click on Junior's, ok?

So MANY of you have been asking for a CD of Kasey & I singing and I am so excited to announce that it will be ready very soon!

THE FIRST AND SECOND 'batch' of CDs SOLD OUT IMMEDIATELY so I will put an announcement on my front page as soon as the THIRD batch are available and I will email those of you whose addresses I have.

If you are interested in obtaining a CD and are not yet on my mailing list, PLEASE sign the guestbook or get on the list on the front page.

Thank you SO much for your patience, and I promise to notify you as soon as possible. I appreciate your dedication.

(My Dear Friend, Vicky, gave these wise words to me, and I KNOW you will agree that they are so true.)

I Believe …
That a Birth Certificate shows that we were born, A Death Certificate shows that we died, and Pictures show us that we lived!

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, the y're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love..

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.


I Believe. ..
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down,
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background a nd circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of seconds by people who don't even know you.

I Believe... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of what they have..

We were truly amazed at the dedication of the audience! They LOVED Patsy's songs and although it began to drizzle toward the end of the show, they yelled for MORE and sat listening in the rain when I asked the soundman if we should 'wrap things up!' THAT'S dedication and I appreciate it very much! Not only were they one of best audiences, our CDs sold in a matter of minutes! I have never seen anything like that! A great big THANK YOU to Cheryl Reinhart for aksing me to be part of a a very special day!

The show at Our Coal Miner's Cafe on Sept. 25, 2008 was stupendous!!! Kasey was AWESOME, as usual and the audience LOVED her! I never had such a fun evening with an audience as I had that night! The bus group from Long Island, New York were such a blast, plus the folks from Maryland, West Virginia and Montana, and all the locals who came out for our show...they wer all singing along with me and i don't know where they found room to dance, since the banquet hall was filled to capacity!! A special 'hello' to Emily & Ludwig who were selected as the longst married couple (59 years, God Bess 'em!) They were so cute! Thanks, everyone! Too bad we didn't record that performance...it was one of my absolute BEST!

If you haven't seen my photography and creativity on these DVDs, you're missing YOUR special event!

I create heirloom DVDs using YOUR pictures! I add motion plus appropriate background music for a perfect keepsake item or gift. No longer do you have to look at your photos from an old album with cracked pages and yellowed film...now you can watch them on TV! And they're MUCH easier to store!

I have created "Memories, Motion & Music" DVDs of numerous events including vacations, weddings, Christmas, theatrical performaces, birthdays, graduations, retirement parties, educational facilites...you name it...the ideas are endless!

We can discuss numerous ideas and go from there. The price is reasonable too! Contact me at cathi321@yahoo.com.

MEMORIES, MOTION & Music... Perfect For EVERY Occasion!

Kasey & I will be singing together more often together and you'll see the dates posted on the 'Performances' page.

We performed our gig at the BULLSKIN FAIR on August 12, thanks to Jim Fabian, and we thank all of you who were there. It was great to see so many friends! Eric Harris of Mount Pleasant also joined us with his Johnny Cash tribute. Awesome!

I always say, "There are no strangers among us...only friends we have yet to meet." Thank you, friends, for all your support...singing along with us, keeping time with the tunes by clapping your hands, tapping your feet and smiling all night long!

We had so many wonderful comments on our show and we are proud to announce that WE'VE BEEN ASKED BACK NEXT YEAR! Yes! We weren't even half-way throught the first set when Jim Fabian asked if we would accept an invitation to come back next year to perform! He said the crowd was really enjoying the show. We kept them in their seats....(they usually listen to the entertainment for a while then leave their seats to check out the action in the arena.) He was very proud of the way we interacted with the crowd and gave them pure entertainment! Thank you, Bullskin VFD! You folks are the BEST!

This performance, which was 2 hours long, was sponsored by the following generous businesses:

PAT ZEMBA PLUMBING & HEATING

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Derry PA

JWK ENGINEERING

S & T BANK, Derry PA

LONGABERGER - MICHELLE BRIDGE

ECO-QUEST INTERNATIONAL (Healthy Living Technology: Air purifiers) - HARRIS ENTERPRISES

PARALLEL VISIONS (Realizing your true potential and making it happen!) - DEBBIE GRUSS

MEMORIES IN MOTION (Custom heirloom DVDs created from YOUR PHOTOS, set to music and enhanced with motion) - CATHI RHODES

We appreciated your sponsorship very much!

If any of you out there would like to be a sponsor for next year's performance, just contact me now. Thanks!

Once again --- and even more so --- the 'Gang' at Junior's was simply awesome! It was difficult to leave them: Debbie (Doug was away on a FUN golf outing this week), Tina, Rhonda Rhoades, Adrian, Richard, Amy, Ange...and The Simpsons (ha ha!)........Everyone felt like family in just a short time. They're the sweetest people you'd ever want to meet ---- and hard workers too, making sure to please ALL their patrons, and please them they did! The food is out of this world, so if --- no, wait --- WHEN you get the chance to go to Erie, you MUST head for Junior's Last Laugh Comedy Club to check out a show or two AND make sure you have dinner there! You'll be glad you did!

The audiences were bigger this week and soooooo appreciatve. They kept asking when I'd be back! They took pictures with me and asked a bunch of questions and told me of their influences of Patsy's wonderful music on their lives. When they were dating, they'd listen to her music. The neatest thing was that so many young people in the audience told me they'd been listening to Patsy's CDs for a long time. THAT'S what I like to hear!

As many of you know, close to the end of each performance, I ask which couples have been married the longest. I bring them up front to slow dance while I sing "ALWAYS" to them. The NICEST and sweetest couples hugged and kissed as they slow danced and the audiences applauded them. How very fortunate to be with your true love for so many years, growing old together. God Bless all those lovely couples with many more years together!

Many thanks once more to Debbie & Doug for having me perform in Erie, which wasn't as far a trip as I initially thought! I really appreciate Debbie saving the ERIE LIFE glossy magazine I was pictured in, also for the newspaper article that spanned an entire column by Dave Richards, the numerous full color newspaper ads, the huge posters in the lobby at Jr's Last Laugh, the newspaper magazine listings, the video of my Channel 12 debut...and so much more! WOW! They made me feel like a SOMEBODY!!!

If I'm invited to go again, I'd like to see a caravan from our area making the trip up with me! You gotta see this place....it's just too much fun to pass up, believe me! Check out the link to Junior's and visit their website often!

Debbie & Doug Richardson, Owner's of Junior's Last Laugh Comedy Club are such lovely people to work with and the staff there couldn't be more congenial. The audiences were so terrific! A special thanks to Chef Adrian for his most DELICIOUS meals!!! YUMM!

I was featured on the 11 o'clock news, can you believe it?? During my afternoon show, one of the TV news anchors, Amanda Post, was in the audience so she sent her cameraman over to tape my evening show. Amanda has also starred in "Always...Patsy Cline" in Erie at The Warner Theater in the past and loves the show so much (just as I do)... so she came to be entertained, rather than being the entertainment! She is a sweetie and wanted to get a photo taken with me, and you can see it on the Photo Page.

On March 28, 29 & 30 we presented a show feautring your favorite Patsy Cline songs at the Ligonier Theater! This is the show that sold out two nights at The Grand Theater in Elizabeth last November, and people are still raving about it.

The lovely and talented KASEY ZEMBA, who reached the 2nd round auditions on last year's American Idol, was awesome singing the hits of Patsy's friend, Loretta Lynn. Kasey was amazing in her lead role in PETER PAN at Derry Area High School (see her on my photo page!) Ellen Meyers, who hilariously portrayed Louise Seger in 'Always...Patsy Cline,' returned to the stage for a special duet with 'Patsy.'

We honored 3 lovely couples who were married longer than anyone in the audience: Mr. & Mrs. Hank Croft, Sr., Mr. & Mrs Chick Cecconi and Mr. & Mrs. Jim Graham. Each of them slow danced while I serenaded them with "Always." Very sweet and touching! Congratulations to all 3 couples, and may God Bless you with many more years together! You're SO fortunate.

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I'm trying to use my God-given voice& talents to earn an honest and decent living. If I can sing for people who enjoy hearing me, then I am fulfilled in several ways. Life works that way for most folks, doesn't it? We just have to use what natural talents we have and if we enjoy it, that's a double blessing.

On March 28, 29 & 30, you will be able to see the show that sold out each night at The Grand Theatre in Elizabeth PA in November 2007!!!

I put together 30 of my favorite Patsy Cline songs and have invited the beautiful and talented Kasey Zemba (American Idol 2nd Round Audition Winner and star of Derry Area's Peter Pan). She will be singing her signature Loretta Lynn tunes and Ellen Myers who portrayed Louise Seger will also make a guest appearance!

Round up your family, friends and neighbors for THREE BIG SHOWS and enjoy singing along with The Ladies!

Tickets are just $10 for everyone, so come early and choose whatever seat you'd like!

See you at the Theater!

If anyone has a 1950s style Pink Ladies satin jacket for sale or donation, would you please contact me? I'd like to have one of my own. Many thanks to Jewel for lending hers to me when I needed it!

I'm also looking for a poodle skirt (med/lg) and size 8 saddle shoes. Can you help?? Many Thanks!!

Following the unprecedented success of two record-breaking initial mountings, this engagement is a new opportunity for The Grand Theatre's audiences to experience a remarkable show that has soared beyond all expectations.

'My Portrait of Patsy' was an overwhelming success at The Grand! If you weren't there, you missed TWO SOLD-OUT evenings of great food, great friends and great music! The professionally created posters, programs and even tickets with my pictures on them were unbelievable! To Kasey Zemba (Loretta Lynn) and Ellen Meyers (Louise Seger), I thank you for bringing your talent and excitement to the audiences. To all those involved in bringing my show to The Grand (especially Lori and Ken & daughters, and to Margaret and Joe) I extend my sincerest THANK YOU. To the wonderful audiences, you were the BEST EVER! All of you made both of these evenings memorable ones for me and I sure hope to see you all again sometime soon. God Bless you all.