Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners to appear at the Ector Theatre

If you’ve ever loved and lost, you’ve probably sung the words to “Since I Don’t Have Don’t Have You,” the quintessential heartbreak song that became a million seller back in the late fifties. Jimmy Beaumont, leader of the Skyliners, composed the music and sang the lead for that song.

Since then, Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners have toured the country, thrilling audiences with their signature song as well as other standards and classics. They appear at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Ector Theatre, 500 N. Texas.

“They were here about five years ago, and they were wonderful,” says Ector Theatre artistic director Don Stice. “These are good musicians, at the top of their profession. They’ll play their own music and play tribute to other vocal groups.”

Groups that play the Ector often comment on the atmosphere of the art moderne style building, which originally opened in 1951.

“Acoustically, it’s one of the finest buildings in the country,” says Don, a musician and retired music teacher. “Michael Martin Murphy says he’s not just playing Odessa when he comes here — he’s playing ‘The Ector Theatre.’”

Michael Martin Murphy’s annual Christmas show is scheduled at the Ector on Dec. 15 this year.

The Ector Theatre is known for bringing quality musical shows and tribute groups to Odessa. They also show classic films that take the audience back to an earlier time.

“When the Ector Theatre reopened in 2001, the first show was ‘Rebel Without a Cause,’” Don says. “At this time, we’re raising funds to buy a new digital projector, which will open a lot of possibilities for us.”

The digital projector would allow the Ector Theatre to show more classic movies and would also be used to project film background during live performances.

“We’ve thought about hosting a Super Bowl party, a Grammy party, a CMA party,” Don says. “It might also be possible to re-play home football games on a Sunday afternoon for free and just open up the snack bar. The projector would be put to good use for us and for the community.”

For reservations to Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners or to donate funds for the projector, call (432) 580-0898.