 Halloween
weekend, 1998, Russ and Wendy Hearn drove into downtown Granbury
from their new home in Pecan Plantation to "cruise the
Square" and catch a play at the Opera House. They had
a chance(?) meeting with Tom McRae, who was descending makeshift
stairs from the loft of the building that is now Granbury
Live. Tom enthusiastically welcomed the young couple to Granbury
and in the course of conversation invited Russ and Wendy to
join a weekly bible study.
Russ and Wendy attended the bible study when possible as they
were traveling extensively performing with 'The Really Big
Show", a corporate band. On one occasion Russ mentioned
a current pet project, setting scripture to music. Tom invited
Russ to perform for the bible study group and Russ accommodated
with only an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. The entire
group was most impressed.
 A
few weeks following, Tom and Sandi joined the Hearns for dinner,
and during the meal Russ casually inquired if Tom had ever
considered putting music in the empty space that is now Granbury
Live. Tom's reply, "Boy I like music." Editor note:
Tom, a life-long entrepreneur, had previously researched the
possibility of bringing music to Granbury but discarded the
idea for lack of personal musical talent and any good connections
in the music industry. In addition, based upon initial research,
the project would require at least $1,000,000 cash, which
Tom didn't have.
That
same night on the Hearn's kitchen table, a rough pro-forma
for the new venture was developed and a deal consummated with
a handshake. Wendy Hearn recalls, "I left the room to
put the baby (Faith) to bed, came back, and we were in business!"
Following the hand-shake, Tom and Sandi, Russ and Wendy joined
hands and committed their new business to glorify and honor
Christ. Eight weeks later Granbury Live opened. Three years
later the performers have played to a standing ovation every
single performance.
 Tom
McRae: "For the second time in my life I took on an impossible
business venture but invited God into the driver's seat. The
Goals: Build a theater from scratch in eight weeks for around
$75,000; put 4 star productions on stage 50 weeks a year and
find the talent to do it in a few days. The Realities: I had
never built a theater; Five weeks into construction we were
5 times the original budget; The electrical cost alone equaled
our total original budget; I had never heard my partner perform
on stage; Russ's band was not coming to Granbury; God's Blessings;
We opened on
schedule; God sent Russ, a creative genius, an incredible
cadre of talent to form the core of a Granbury Live family;
We have played to a standing ovation every performance since
opening; Patrons tell me, on a weekly basis, Granbury Live
productions are as good or better than any... anywhere. There
is more but I am out of room. God has given us exceedingly
and abundantly beyond all we could ask or think! Ephesians
3:20."
Founding Partner, CEO deceased
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