LEVI HUMMON PLAYS HUCKABEE

Thursday August 8, 2024 (Taping Date)

@ Huckabee Theater in Hendersonville, TN

(Review by: Jeffrey Kurtis)

As the political landscape across the entire country becomes extremely tense and more divisive, causing absolute destruction to the family dynamic when relatives cut each other off over which side of the line you fall on that might differ from their own, to be able to find an atmosphere today that’s reminiscent of an old-school family dinner is a truly tremendous find.

Though some will argumentatively lean toward highlighting only the political side of Huckabee, and while the variety talk show in and of itself will naturally lean politically at times, the grander essence of being part of a live taping is the metaphoric hug that warmly embraces you the moment that you turn onto on the legendary property that houses the Huckabee Theater.

Flanked in country music history as Conway Twitty’s once great homestead looms large in the foreground and the theater building itself holds a rich tapestry of iconic performers who’ve taken the stage throughout the years, there’s a nostalgic peacefulness that floats your entire visit to these hallowed grounds.

With a gathered crowd outside the pre-show holding area, many of whom are return visitors as evident by the conversation between them and the exuberantly friendly staff, it’s just as much a welcoming atmosphere for the first timers as clearly shown in their wide-eyed excitement and the smiles that stay bent cheek to cheek as they’re ushered into the theater.

Prior to the actual taping itself, band leader Tré Corley and Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame announcer Keith Bilbrey trade pleasantries like brothers who haven’t seen each other in a while as Governor Huckabee provides a heartfelt welcome to the crowd and (on this night) warm-up comedian Moody Molavi provides 5-minutes of belly laughs.  

“And now…here’s Mike Huckabee!” Bilbrey announces as the theme music is showered in a deafening ovation when the Governor arrives onto the stage, this time to officially start the show.

The format flows much like that of your typical talk show as Governor Huckabee provides an opening monologue followed by a handful of guests over the next hour.

Joined by former Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, he and Governor Huckabee enter a lively and passionate conversation that moved with urgency into the many reasons why this upcoming election holds such a heightened impact on the future of our country while unapologetically touching on hot button topics such as school choice, abortion, Israel, government overreach, and the Ten Commandments in public spaces.

Hollywood’s Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, Penelope Ann Miller, and Jennifer O’Neill joined the show for an incredible in-depth look at their new film, REAGAN, each placing strong emphasis on their admiration for the real-life characters that they portray and their striving to highlight their impact in the film without impersonating, but by honoring them within their performances.

Though a pinch-me moment for many in the crowd to have that level of A-Listers gathered only a few feet in front of them, each of the elite actors radiated an extreme humbleness that transcended the entire atmosphere, pulling everyone into their incredibly welcoming aura.

During commercial breaks, and after the segment itself, not only did each of the four send smiles and waves out to the audience from the stage, in many ways breaking the proverbial third wall, but Voight even came down off the stage when the segment had ended to meet with the fans, shake hands, exchange smiles, and sign a few autographs.

In what is always a personal favorite moment of attending any taping of Huckabee, and something that’s only experienced in person, is the genuine appreciation that is shown toward our military veterans and the first responders in the audience when they’re asked during a commercial break to stand up and are then met with what is always the loudest ovation of the night.

“I have to interject that following up Dennis Quaid and Jon is a big seat to fill right now,” Levi Hummon exclaimed as both he and Governor Huckabee linked with the crowd’s heartbeat when confessing how overwhelmed they both still were by that last segment as well.

Top 10 hit “Paying For It,” 175 million global streams, and songs that he’s written having been recorded by the likes of Tim McGraw, the country music singer/songwriter joined Governor Huckabee for a chat about growing up with a hitmaking father (Marcus Hummon), the advice that he passed down to him about getting into the business, if he prefers more the songwriting or performing side, and the amazing organization that his mother started, Thistle Farms.

Anchoring the entire vibe of the night with a strong exclamation point, Hummon performed his new single “Make It Love,” cutting past any of the current negative norms of the world to humbly highlight the absolute importance of simply loving one another.

“Take the tears in the careless words, “take the fears and all the hurt” and “take the wrongs that we have made,” lines in the verses that outline the chorus which empathetically encourages us to take each other’s hand and be good to one another while we still can…turning the inevitable ups and downs of life into an unconditional, heartfelt love for your fellow man.

With balanced moments of laughter, seriousness, thought-provoking conversation, and encouragement through song, this episode of Huckabee left a lasting impression as we exited family dinner with plenty of food for thought, carrying the strong reminder to hold to our ideas of peace and harmony while allowing them to help us become the change that the world needs one inspirational smile at a time.

Tune into the Huckabee Show on TBN every Saturday night at 7PM CST, and again on Sunday at 8PM CST.

To get your tickets for upcoming tapings, and to check out previously aired shows and exclusive digital only content, please visit: https://www.huckabee.tv/