ROYSE CITY, TX (Nov. 25, 2014) There was no “Bitter End” to the evening for a group of Dinner Winners at Southern Junction Nightclub in Royse City Nov. 22. Country music star Deryl Dodd, Southern Junction waitstaff, and a kind-hearted local limousine service owner made sure of that.
Elizabeth Gaddis, manager at Southern Junction; Billy Jared, owner of Bryan’s Limousine Service; and an incredible waitress named Bobbi took steps to ensure that members of the visually impaired social club were well taken care of on a rainy weekend night.
While Gaddis set up the dinner reservations and reserved a table by the dance floor, Jared chauffeured every Dinner Winner to and from the steakhouse, so they could fully enjoy the night without the worry of missing the DART bus or leaving the event early.
The rain did not stop the Dinner Winners from enjoying a full night of fun, dancing, singing, socializing and,of course, delving into the delicious rib eye that only Southern Junction can provide.
A surprised group of Dinner Winners were thrilled when Dodd invited them backstage to meet him before his live performance.
Annie Phillips, the creator of the social group for blind and visually impaired adults, described her experience meeting the country singer/songwriter. “He let me touch his face, and let me tell you, it was a handsome face to touch! He then kissed me after giving a hug. When Deryl sang, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a performer that good. Deryl is a wonderful singer as well as a great man!”
It seems as if Phillips was not the only Dinner Winner to believe in Dodd’s talent and heart. Jim Dawkins who lost his vision later in life but continued as an employee for the IRS, brought along his 10-year-old daughter, Darlie, to Southern Junction.
According to Dawkins, “I couldn’t believe Deryl kept calling out to us. He kept saying or singing about The Dinner Winners in his songs. That man can sing and he is one wonderful person.”
Darlie agreed and begged to go back out on the dance floor when she heard Dodd belt out, “Welcome to the Honky-Tonks.” Darlie rode the bull like a genuine cowboy, ate steak and described her experience as having a fun night- one which she wants to repeat the next time The Dinner Winners go to one of Deryl Dodd’s concerts.
When Dodd performs, his passion for singing, loving others and talent not only come through genetics as his grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher; it also comes from having a huge heart. He talked about his grandfather when he asked the crowd to sing, “I’ll Fly Away” along with him.
As The Dinner Winner group continued to thank Deryl for making them feel special, the star humbly replied, “I need to thank you for coming to hear me.”
Janice Cantrell, Alice Pogue and Elena Hunter, all members of the group, continued to sing Dodd’s praises.
When asked which of Dodd’s songs’ where their favorites, everyone replied, “They were all great!”
Pogue and Dawkins were immediately going online to download all of Dodd’s hit songs as soon as the night was over.
No, there was no bitter end that night at Southern Junction- only fun laughter and acceptance by a humbled big-hearted star.
By Blue Ribbon News guest columnist Kristie Smith, a teacher for the blind, who writes about parenting and child development. She authored a series of novels about a blind girl detective, and has written more than 15 activity books for children with special needs.
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