A crowded audience filled the Plumb Theatre on Feb.7, including several members of the Maloy family prepared to sing alongside their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Paul Maloy. The evening— celebrating Maloy’s 89th birthday—started without the night’s headliner, Tony Matthews.

However, because the stage was full of musicians, few—if any— knew that Matthews had been unreachable for several days and police had been asked to conduct a wellness check at his Checotah home. They concluded that Matthews was in Tulsa, and prayer warriors from two churches were asked to pray for his safety.

The festivities were well under way when he arrived and quietly set his equipment up on stage. A blues-soul-funk guitarist who toured the world with Ray Charles and later performed with Little Richard, Matthews didn’t disappoint when he delivered his first song.

He leaned into the microphone and purred “Georgia on My Mind”—Charles’ signature song which was proclaimed Georgia state song in 1979. His intricate guitar chords and soulful vocals brought an eruption of applause, noticeably even louder than that given to preceding performers.

Paul Maloy’s joy singing with his kin was contagious. Laughter rang out when one family member, several inches taller than Mattie Maloy ,flipped Mattie’s long gray braid up, down, over, around, swirling it in perfect time to the music. Mattie’s reactions brought spectators glee, giving the evening several memorable moments of high comedy.

Mattie, who has played a steady bass line traveling the country as a working musician with Paul Maloy on guitar and vocals, has not changed her hairdo since it was beautifully brunette in her younger days. Her braids are as much of the Plumb tradition as her typical comment, “It’s not a show without you.” Patrons might say, “You wouldn’t be the same without those braids.”

The evening’s performances included a special song by Dan Riley, who played a spectacular guitar interlude during one of Matthews’ numbers. Matthews delighted the crowd with “Red Dress” and “Mustang Sally.”

After the show I gave Paul a hug and said, “I really enjoyed your birthday party.” He grinned and said, “It’s the best birthday party I’ve ever been to.”

I replied, “Me too!” and meant it sincerely.