Legends & Legacies: Johnnie High Country Music Revue
Published on April 29, 2025
Photo of Johnnie High Country Music Review exterior in Downtown Arlington, courtesy of J. W. Dunlop Photograph Collection, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries.
“Legends & Legacies” is an occasional feature created in partnership between the City of Arlington Office of Communication and The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries Special Collections and Archives to recognize some of the people, events and places that have helped shaped Arlington’s 150-year history.
This month’s article, provided by the Arlington Historical Society, highlights the history of Arlington Music Hall and the Johnnie High Country Music Revue in Downtown.
Johnnie High (1929-2010) was a country music promoter, impresario, and showman. He created the Johnnie High Country Music Revue in 1974 at the Grapevine Opry. It later ran at venues in Fort Worth and then Haltom City. High sought a new location for its future. He bought and renovated the old Arlington Theater, renaming it the Arlington Music Hall.
Opening night of the Johnnie High Country Music Revue in Arlington commenced on April 1, 1995, with 1,200 people attending. Downtown hadn't seen that many people there on a Saturday night in many, many years. It began a much-needed boost to the area.
The shows differed each week, featuring various country, bluegrass, and gospel acts. Some performers were experienced regulars; others were up-and-coming guests.
High boasted a good, clean, family-friendly show, attracting loyal regulars. Some never missed a show, and hadn't for years, saying it rivaled entertainment in Branson or Nashville. Part of the appeal was the charismatic host himself, who introduced performers and interacted with the audience. He also occasionally sang and played guitar.
Johnnie High died in 2010, and the show briefly continued in his honor. Arlington Music Hall continues to host concerts and other performances several times a month. The venue is located at 224 N. Center St. in Arlington’s State-designated Cultural District.
Want to learn more? The UTA Libraries Special Collection has a collection of materials on the Arlington Music Hall, which originally opened in 1950 as a movie theatre. These include microfilm of an Arlington Journal article from Feb. 10, 1950, on the opening of the theatre, contracts for Arlington Theatre from 1950 to 1969 from the Fort Worth Moving Picture Machine Operators Local 330 Records, and online photo galleries of Arlington Theatre from 1955 and from 1995 to 1999.
UTA Digital Gallery
J. W. Dunlop Photograph Collection
- Arlington Theater, 1955 - Arlington Theater, Arlington, Texas | UTA Libraries Digital Gallery
- Arlington Theater, 1995-1999 - Arlington Theater, Center Street, Arlington, Texas | UTA Libraries Digital Gallery
The Special Collections at UTA is located on the 6th floor of the Central Library, 702 Planetarium Place. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The most convenient parking for visitors is in the Maverick Parking Garage, 708 S. West St. For library parking and visitor information, visit https://libraries.uta.edu.