Arlington LIVE! provides fun for the whole family

By Yassmin Eldouh

If you’re looking for great live musical entertainment, you don’t have to look far. Arlington LIVE! offers a variety of musical genres, award-winning performers, a family-friendly environment and a low price. 

The show is performed at 7 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month at Arlington Music Hall, which is located at 224 N. Center Street. 

According to emcee and performer Michael Hix, president of the Arlington Music Hall, you can attend every other week and hear fun new songs each time. 

“We have a brand new and different concert every show,” he said. 

The show offers many different genres, including country, gospel, pop, rock, jazz and oldies. In addition, they feature many different themes throughout the year, including a Christmas show, a Halloween show, a 70’s show, a feature movie show, and a television show. 

Arlington LIVE! has a regular cast in addition to new and local talents who perform periodically. Sometimes, featured guests will perform as well. 

According to the Arlington LIVE! website, some prior performers—such as LeAnn Rimes and Miranda Lambert—have gone on to stardom. 

If you would like to perform, Hix holds auditions for new talent twice a year.

Arlington LIVE! began in 1974 as Johnny High’s Country Music Revue. The venue was originally in Grapevine, moving to Fort Worth, then to Haltom City, and finally to Arlington in 1994.

Hix took over as producer in 2011, and the name was changed to Arlington LIVE! in 2012 to reflect the variety of genres the new show encompasses.

There is no age restriction; children and their grandparents can enjoy the same show.  Johnny High’s goal in starting the show was to give talented singers and musicians a venue to perform without being in a bar or a club. 

Cost for Arlington LIVE! tickets is $17 for adults, $10 for children; members and groups receive a discount. The Arlington Music Hall calendar lists Arlington LIVE! dates along with other upcoming Music Hall events.