Pelican native to perform in Fargo

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008

After almost 30 years in Nashville, as an entertainer, Bruce Arntson has not forgotten his roots in Pelican Rapids where he graduated from high school in 1973. The native son returns to his home area this weekend and will perform as part of the "Doyle & Debbie Show" at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Fargo Theatre.

Another former Pelican Rapids resident, Merrill Piepkorn, was instrumental in bringing Arntson to Fargo. Piepkorn works for Prairie Public Radio, Fargo, and formerly played in a band with Arntson and other musicians in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

"It will be great to be back in my home area," Arntson said. "I have fond memories of Pelican Rapids and my band days with Merrill, Johnny Holm and other musicians."

Arntson, a musician and songwriter, stars with Jenny Littleton in the Doyle & Debbie Show. In the show Arntson and Littleton portray a fading country star (Doyle) who found Debbie at a VFW hall — singing her heart out.

"The Doyle and Debbie Show” is sublime parody, simultaneously lampooning and celebrating country music traditions of iconic duos and their subsequent battle of the sexes," says the Fargo Theatre on its website. "Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton wield the vocals of vintage country stars and the acting chops of Broadway veterans, taking audiences on a freewheeling joyride through a wickedly funny script and slew of equally hilarious original songs, all written or co-written by Arntson."

Nashville music lovers, and performers alike, also give rave reviews to the Doyle & Debbie Show. The show ran for more than a year at The Bongo Theater Upstairs, a small black box theater above a popular coffee house in Nashville. Now Arntson and Littleton perform at the legendary Station Inn, Nashville's classic Bluegrass room.

"Nashville critique columnists say the Doyle & Debbie songs are sheer comic genius," Piepkorn said, "and I agree."

Arntson and Littleton have appeared on the Conan O'Brien Show.

"With a little luck," Piepkorn said, "they'll be headed to HBO. They're a hot ticket right now in Nashville. They have the reputation for a long-running show, much to their credit."

Arntson is praised by many professionals in Nashville as an outstanding performer who's done a long list of musical and film-oriented works.

"The way he plays Doyle Mayfield is insanely good," said one Nashville music columnist. "He's headed for a long-deserved stardom."

Littleton has been a major player in Nashville theater and is a breakaway singer to boot. She grew up in the country music scene. Her deadpan delivery is funny and her body language — according to reviews — "has 'em hollering in the aisles."

The doors open Saturday at 7 p.m. for the Doyle & Debbie Show at the Fargo Theatre, with the show starting at 8 p.m.

Piepkorn's musical trio, “The Radio Stars,” will provide pre-show music between the time the doors open at 7 and the curtain rises on the Doyle & Debbie Show at 8.

Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 701-235-4152 to reserve tickets.