A big crowd filled the auditorium of the Northcross United Methodist Church tonight at the monthly meeting of the Heart Of America Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Club or HABOT.  Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month and normally last from 6:00 - 10:45 PM. President Mary Caton Eddings welcomed everyone and introduced the "house" band which would accompany the individual acts which preceeded the bands on tonight's program.  Larry Willis had the honors on banjo, with Mary Bliefnick on bass, Cotton Sanders played his fiddle with Walt Weigman on guitar.  Jim Downs handled the duties on mandolin and Irvin Martin also played guitar.

Tonight's first guest artist Molly Reed, however didn't require any accompaniment as she sang both of her numbers "Pick Me Up Before I Hit The Ground" and "I Won't Be Lonesome Up There," a cappella.  Mark Burnett and daughter-in-law Chelsea Burnett were up next and they did a great job blending their voices on "Too Late Now" and "Do What You Do Do Well."  Sherry Schoolfield from Excelsior Springs, MO used her vocal talents to sing "I'll Wait For You" and "I Just Drove By" before Mary Eddings sang the bluegrass standard "Wildflowers" for the appreciative crowd.  The last act tonight was Richard Reeves who did an excellent job bot accompanying himself on the guitar and singing "High On The Mountain" and Blue Highway's "Lonesome Pine." 

The Great White Possum String Band, consisting of Mike Weaver, mandolin, Gary Gray, banjo & dobro, Mark Purcell, guitar, Don Huff, lead vocals, guitar and Bill Norton, bass was the first of three bands featured here tonight.  We first saw this group perform many years ago at the Sally Mountain Festival near Queen City, MO and they are always a lot of fun to listen to.  Tonight it was "Sea Of Heartbreak," "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home," "On And On," an instrumental of "Fireball Mail,' "Greenville Trestle," "Blue Virginia Blues," "If I Lose," "Bye Bye Blues" and "Close The Door."  Webb Pierce's "Walking The Dog," "Close The Door," "Matterhorn" and "Love Over Lonesome" closed the set.  The second group tonight was Gary Russell's Sugar Creek with Gary on vocals & guitar, Bud Carey on guitar & vocals as well and Gary's sons David (mandolin, vocals) & Keith Russell (banjo).  This group has been around the bluegrass scene for a number of years and are really fun to listen to.  Gary and the gang are featured every Thursday night at their own show (see Thursday Night Opry on our home page) and maintain their own website @ www.sugarridgegrass.com.  Their set tonight began with an instrumental, "Clinch Mountain Backstep," then it was Gary with "Farm In Louisiana," "Old Train," "Carolina Star," "I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water" and others.  "Blackberry Blossom" featured Keith on banjo, Bud Carey got a big hand as he picked and sang "I Saw A Man" and David did the honors as he sang his most requested song, "Walkin' The Dog."  Other selections included "Liberty" & "I Like To Hear Them Preach It."

Misty Mountain Revival, the last of tonight's great bluegrass bands had Larry Cook sitting in tonight at doghouse bass, the versatile Gary Gray (mandolin, banjo, guitar), Ken Slyter on banjo and guitar,  Kathy (vocals) and Jim (guitar, mandolin) Belk.  They performed a variety of old-timey and bluegrass selections here tonight including "Way Downtown," "Last Thing On My Mind," Hold Whatcha Got," "White Frieghtliner Blues" and "99 Years & One Dark Day."  "Panhandle Rag" was followed by "You're In My Heart," I'll See You On The Other Side Of Jordan," "Nellie Kane," "Think Of What You've Done" and "Winter's Come & Gone."  This super group closed the evening's festivities with "Lonesome Pine" and "Remington's Ride."  (Below)  top - Gary Russell of Sugar Ridge in his jaunty hat sings "Carolina Star"  bottom - Jim & Kathy Belk harmonize on another great bluegrass standard

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:47 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 22 November 2009 1:59 AM CST

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It was a cold, rainy evening as we rolled into the parking lot at the BK and actually found a parking spot near the rear entrance!  The crowd might have been a tad smaller than usual, but there were still quite a number of listeners and dancers alike that gathered in the dining areas of this Johnson County fast food restaurant to enjoy an evening of classic country music compliments of the Stranger Creek Band and friends.  Emcee Larry Dean welcomed everyone with a Merle Haggard tune, "Working Man Blues" and Josh Turner's "Just To Be Your Man."  Larry was to return later with a Garry Bichelmeyer written song, "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind" and for those who are into rock and roll, it was "Old Time Rock & Roll" and "Shake Rattle & Roll."

David Purcell's hand is healing nicely and he was up to par tonight as he treated the audience with "You're A Once In A Lifetime Thing," Willie Nelson's "Remember Me," "On The Road Again" and George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today."  Great job!  Lead guitarist Gordon Riley and the band, Including drummer John Malone played some great instrumentals tonight including "Bells Of St. Mary," "Honky Tonk," "Wheels" and "Harbor Lights."  'Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier who plays awesome fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee got a big audience response as he playled "Tennessee Rattler," "Ashokan Farewell," "Ragtime Annie" (he spoils us!) and did a terrific job with the vocals as well  on "Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette."  Mary Bichelmeyer turned back the clock as she sang Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" and "Walking After Midnight."  She returned later with "Don't Come Crying To Me" and "Blue Kentucky Girl."  Husband Garry was up next with Charlie Pride's "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone," "People Are Crazy," Nodaway River (which he also wrote) and joined by Mary, a terrific duet of "Black Coffee."

We always enjoy hearing Art Covey sing and play his mandolin and tonight it was "Falling Leaves," Kentucky Waltz" and a Jimmy Rodgers classic "Hobo's Meditation."  Andrea Harrington Summers, who with her husband have the Last Call Band which plays various venues in the area and lives in Bonner Springs, stepped front and center to sing "Crazy Arms" and "Help Me Make It Through The Night" for the appreciative audience.  We would love to hear this lady sing a lot more and the audience seemed to agree.  Art Covey closed the evening with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."  (Below)  Andrea Harrington Summers visits the BK tonight

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:17 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 17 November 2009 11:43 PM CST

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As the days slip by and the end of another year approaches, we always tend to reflect on the many shows we have seen throughout the past year and try and pick a favorite.  This, of course always proves to be impossible as the most recent are always the easiest to recall and tend to overshadow other early season performances.  But be that as it may, tonight's show featuring the immense talents of Bobby Flores and the Middle Creek Band will certainly rate as one of the more memorable shows of this season.  2003 Grammy Award winner Bobby Flores played fiddle for Ray Price from 1997 thru 2001 and has opened for Larry Gatlin, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Johnny Rodriguez, Marty Robbins, Bobby Bare, Wynn Steward, Johnny Bush, Steve Wariner, Lee Ann Rimes, Tracy Lawrence and many others.  If you like country music in general and western swing in particular  -- you'll love Bobby Flores. 

The Middle Creek Band which opened and accompanied Bobby tonight, are from the Middle Creek Theatre which hosts a country show each Saturday night during the season at the Rutlader Outpost near Louisburg, KS.  With Elijah Chastain on lead, Carl Butler on bass, Angie Larson, keyboard, Bobby DeMoss, steel guitar and Willie Moffit on drums this accomplished group was "on track" all night.  Elijah began the night's performance with Ricky Skagg's "Hiway 40 Blues" and a Johnny Bush tune "What A Way To Live."  Angie Larson's "I Feel A Heartache Coming on" and "Kansas City" preceeded Carl Butler's "I Don't Have Very Far To Go" and "A-11." 

It's pretty hard to beat Bob Wills and Ray Price tunes and with this in mind, Bobby began his set with "Miles & Miles Of Texas" and "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You."  Next was "Wind Me Up Again," "One More Time" and a great fiddle solo of "Maiden's Prayer"  followed by another Wills tune, "Bubbles In My Beer" and Johnny Rodriguez's bilingual "Jealous Heart."  A George Jones tune "Still On My Mind" and "Time Changes Everything" were succeeded by Ray Price songs "A Way To Survive" and "Heart Over Mind."  In honor of Bobby Caldwell, the great guitarist who recently passed away, Bobby played "Danny Boy" in his honor.  Before taking a short break, it was Cajun time with "Big Mamou" and George Jones' "White Lightning." 

Drawing on his many years of experience as Ray Price's fiddler and his west Texas background, Bobby continued with "Heartaches By The Number," an instrumental - "Milk Cow Blues," "I Just Destroyed The World I'm Living In," "Take Me Back To Tulsa" and a song written by Ray Price & Willie Nelson, "24th Hour."  This terrific evening came to a close with "Corine, Corina," "Born To Lose" and the "Orange Blossom Special."  We highly recommend that when the next Bobby Flores show comes to a venue near you that you see one of this man's performances.  No doubt it will become one of your favorites too.  Thanks, as always to Frank Hicks and the crew at Knuckleheads for their kindness and hospitality. (Below)  Bobby Flores entertains the big crowd at Knuckleheads.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:25 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 16 November 2009 2:17 AM CST

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A crowd of several hundred excited fans flocked to the Byron Jones Country Music Theatre tonight to help celebrate the first anniversary of the relocation of the Northtown Opry, which had operated in North Kansas City for over 18 years.  This new show, now know as the "New" Northtown Opry is located just north of Edgerton, MO on highway B and has been a showcase for local talent since it's inception.  Several of the performers that Byron has helped in their formative years were on the bill tonight and we looked forward to a fun-filled evening!

Byron welcomed the big crowd and started the night's festivities singing Ferlin Husky's "I Could Sing All Night" and Moe Bandy's "Too Old To Die Young."  We always enjoy hearing Leland Jones (Byron's younger brother) sing and try to attend his show, the Country Pickin' Opry in Richmond, MO (which is held every 1st & 3rd Saturdays) whenever we can.  Tonight Leland did a marvelous job with Stonewall Jackson's "Don't Be Angry," "Making Plans," a Charlie Louvin tune, Hank Williams' "Take These Chains," Dave Dudley's "Truck Driving Man," Vince Gill's "Look At Us" and joined Byron for some of that wonderful sibling harmony with "May You Never Be Alone Like Me" and "Little Green Valley."  We remember listening to young Joe Fidizzi play his fiddle several years ago at the jam session in Gower, MO and find it amazing how he has developed his craft to become the phenominal player he is today.  Beginning with "Old Joe Clark," Joe showed his skills playing some classical violin, then it was "Bile That Cabbage Down," a duet of "Ragtime Annie" with Byron playing mandolin, "Faded Love" and "Orange Blossom Special."  Great stuff!!  Staci Shipley has a wonderful voice range and put it to good use here tonight as she sang Kitty Wells' "Heartaches By The Number" and a couple of Patsy Cline numbers, "Leaving On Your Mind" and "Back In Baby's Arms."  She returned the second half with her mountain dulcimer, singing and playing Martina McBride's "My Baby Loves Me Just The Way That I Am," Gordon Mote's "Mercy Walked In" and "Amazing Grace."  

We always look forward to hearing Teresa Ann sing some of those great country classics whenever we make it to a show of Byron's and tonight as well as keeping the beat going all night with her terrific bass playing, Teresa sang a Connie Smith tune, "Paper Roses," Tanya Tucker's "Love Me Like You Used To" and later "One Day At A Time" and the Judds' "Mama He's Crazy."  What kind of an anniversary show would this have been without the appearance of Donnie Quinn?  Very incomplete, we would have thought.  Donnie,always an audience favorite sang a Ronnie Milsap hit "Day Dreams About Night Things," George Strait's "Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind," Gene Watson's "Farewell Party" and George Jones' "The Race Is On" for his first set and returned the second half with another Gene Watson tune "Got No Reason Now For Going Home" and a couple of Elvis smashes, "Trying To Get To You" and "Burning Love."  Krysta Jones, Byron's granddaughter got a big hand as she stepped to the mike to sing a Miranda Lambert number, "Baby Bring Me Down."  Connie Francis' "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" followed and later it was Patsy's "I Fall To Pieces" and "When The Saints Go Marching In."  This was the first opportunity we've had to see pretty Tiffany Miller play keyboards and sing, but do know that she was a part of Lee Mace's Ozark Opry at the Lake Of The Ozarks for many years.  Tonight, with the rest of the band, including Gary Milligan on steel guitar and Jim Lower, Jr. on drums, she played and sang "Kansas City" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."  She returned later to sing a song written by her to honor our servicemen, "Unless You Were There" and George Gershwin's "Summertime." 

B.J. Talley who plays those great licks at lead guitar and is the current Kansas State fingerpicking champion showcased his talents tonight by playing and singing "Vincent" and a medly of Chet Atkins' hits - "The Poor People Of Paris/Wheels/Whispering/Mister Sandman."  Beautiful!!   This anniversary show wouldn't have been complete either without this next guest:  Donna Hensley!  Donna's enthusasim and energy is contagious and the audience were clapping their hands and patting their feet as Donna began her set with Hank Sr.'s "Jambalaya" and Kathy Mattea's "Come From The Heart."  Donna also honored our armed forces with "Green Berets" and returned the second half with Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Down At The Twist And Shout," Anne Murray's "Just Another Woman In Love" and Pam Tillis' "Blue Roses."  Just outstanding!  After Jim Lower, Jr. did a crackerjack job playing "Wipeout" on the drums, it was time for a visit from "Aunt Mertee" who told Byron that she finally had a man who treated her like royalty.  On dates they always ended up either at a Dairy Queen or a Burger King!  (Below) top - l. to r.  Joe Fidizzi, Donnie Quinn, Krysta Jones, Leland Jones  middle - l. to r. Donna Hensley, Byron Jones, Tiffany Miller  bottom - l. to r. Gary Milligan, Jim Lower Jr., Teresa Ann, B.J. Talley

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 15 November 2009 3:57 PM CST

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Every second Friday of the month, during the season, the Kansas City Area Bluegrass Music Club meets at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 3601 Sterling in Independence (MO) and always features a great stage show highlighting area bluegrass bands and individual performances.  President Byron Jones opened the festivities a little early tonight after Secretary Kay Jeffries read the minutes of the last meeting and Jim Long read the treasurer's report, due to the abundance of great talent due to be showcased here tonight.

Copper Creek, tonight's first band are a very talented group of eight youngsters, all high school age from the Odessa, MO area.  Josh Musick, who will soon be leaving the group for college and plays lead guitar, introduced Ellie Asher on fiddle, Bethany Musick on mandolin, Nathan Hawkins on banjo, Rachel Musick on guitar, Leo Asher on bass, Daniel Hawkins on mandolin and Sara Musick on fiddle.   Beginning with "Cotton-Eyed Joe" and "Red Wing," Josh and others sang "Black Eyed Susie" and a medley of "Give Me That Old Time Religion/Do Lord."  "Temperance Reel" was followed by "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" featuring Nathan Hawkins' banjo and Bethany's vocal of "Are You Washed In The Blood."  The beautiful "Ashokan Farewell," "Y'all Come,"  "Old Joe Clark" and "Down Yonder" all got a big audience response.  This terrific group closed their set with "Banjo In The Holler," a medley of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away," "Orange Blossom Special" and "Faded Love." 

Tonight's second band, Sugar Ridge is one that is familiar to most bluegrass enthusists in this area, participating in most local shows and festivals and  having played with many a nationally acclaimed group or performer.   They also host the Thursday Night Opry held at the Bannister Ridge Community of Christ Church, 9801 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO from 6 to 10 each week.  Tonight, with Tess Stephens, the group's fiddler away tending to high school duties, it was Gary Russell (lead guitar, vocals and the group's founder), David Russell (mandolin, vocals), Keith Russell (banjo) and Bud Carey (guitar & vocals).  Beginning their set with the "Clinch Mountain Backstep," Gary picked and sang "My Blue Ridge Mountain Home" and "I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water" with David. After Gary and Bud sang the great old bluegrass tune, "Head Over Heels In Love With You" Gary sang a tune he wrote about one of our nation's saddest times which occurred around the turn of the century entitled "Orphan Train." David, who has been playing mandolin since age 9 and boasts 33 years of stage experience was up next and played what has become his "signature song" - "Walkin' The Dog" and Gary's "Old Train Carry Me" followed.  Bud got a big hand as he sang "If I Lose" which was followed by "My Home In Louisiana" and "Blackberry Blossoms."  They closed with "The Little White Church." 

The middle portion of tonight's program consisted of individual acts and were backed by a band consisting of Kevin Jones on lead guitar, Byron Jones on guitar, Rick Dakon, mandolin, John Quigley, guitar, Roy Cook, bass, Jim McGreevy on banjo and Chuck Dunson, guitar.  After the band opened with "A Little White Washed Chimney" it was John Quigley with "Little Mountain Church House" and "High On The Hill Top" followed by Abe Reddekopp, who's a real cowboy, originally hailing from the plains of western Canada singing a Johnny Western tune "Palladin" (the theme song from the old TV western "Have Gun Will Travel), Hank Thompson's "Oklahoma Hills" and "Sons Of The Wesern Soil."  It was a real pleasure to see and hear Nini Blackburn sing "Those Memories Of You Still Haunt Me" and Emmy Lou Harris' "Beneath Still Waters" and ditto for her husband Chuck Dunson who picked and sang "I'll Never Be A Free Man" and "I'll Be Gone In The Mornin'."  After Daniel Cline of Independence, MO sang "Keep On The Sunny Side" and "Lonesome Whippoorwill," Mary Eddings, who is president of HABOT, another KC based bluegrass club which meets every third Friday in the Northland, sang "Wild Flowers" and Jim McGreevy closed the set with some great banjo licks on "Going Down The Road Feeling Bad." 

Although I-35 Express is technically a new group, it is comprised of seasoned bluegrass pickers and singers and tastefully combines songs of our treasured past with brand new material with a old timey flavor.  With O.J. McNew on guitar, Jean Bartee on vocals, Jeremy Peiter on banjo, Don Christenson, mandolin and Jacob Babbitt, bass, they began with "old Joe Clark," "I'm Sittin' On Top Of The World," "Take This Hammer" and "Tennessee 1949."  "Mother's Grave" was followed by "Loggin' Man" a tune written by O.J. and "I-35 Express," the group's signature song written by Jean Bartee.  This talented group finished their set with "If I Lose," "Love Please Come Home," "Dark Hollow," "Mississippi River" and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

We throughly enjoyed this fun-packed evening and are looking forward to the next meeting December 11th, 2009. (Below) top - Copper Creek  bottom - Nini Blackburn & husband Chuck Dunson harmonize

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 14 November 2009 12:54 PM CST

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We rarely have an opportunity anymore to get away and enjoy a musical evening on Thursday, but we took advantage of a day off we used to keep some doctor's appointments and take care of some personal business and decided to visit Mike Polsgrove and the gang at the Oregon (MO) Opry this evening.  This weekly get-together is held at the Community Center on Main Street in the picturesque town of Oregon, which is located on US 59, just 6 miles west of I-29, north of St. Joseph, MO.  The music starts around 7PM and one of the evening's big highlights is the great pot-luck supper these folks always hold at intermission.  Tonight it was lots of different salads and veggies, barbeque meatballs, homemade chili and every kind of dessert imaginable -- pies, cakes, cookies & fruit!  No wonder people come from near and far to spend their Thursday evenings dancing, eating and listening to some great classic country music!

This terrific band tonight consisted of Mike Polsgrove, emceeing and playing bass guitar & vocals, Hershel Hughes on lead guitar, Phyllis Fashing, keyboards & vocals, Devi Bowman, drums, Jim Wells, fiddle and Wayne Hoover, rhythm guitar & vocals.  Our friend, Art Covey also sat in tonight, playing mandolin and vocals.   After the band had warmed up a bit, Wayne Hoover, who operates the Countryside Jamboree every Friday night in Cameron (MO), stepped front and center to sing a number recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers, "Close Up The Honky Tonks."  Later it was Bobby Helms' "Fraulein," "Bright Lights Big City," Jimmy Rogers' "California Blues," "Take My Heart" and "Two More Bottles Of Wine."  Ronda Hughes followed with a great job on Loretta Lynn's "Happy Birthday (Merry Christmas & Happy New Year)," Ernest Tubbs' "Half A Mind," "You've Got Me Singing The Blues" and with sister Michelle Grimes, "Burning Bridges Behind Me."  Later it was "I Dreamed Of An Old Love Affair," a duet with Wayne of Del Reeves' "Sweet Thang," "If Tear Drops Were Silver" and another great Loretta Lynn classic, "They Don't Make Em Like My Daddy Anymore."  Mike not only did a great job emceeing and playing bass tonight, but also did a whale of a job singing "Aching Breaking Heart" and "Heartaches By The Number" while Phyllis played that honky tonk keyboard and sang "Orchid Means Goodbye," Roy Acuff's "Waltz Of The Wind" and joined Ronda for a duet of "Under Your Spell Again."

It was quite a surprise seeing Art Covey here this evening (we see him almost every Tuesday at the BK when he's in town) and we really enjoyed hearing him play with the band this evening and listening to him sing "Love Letters In The Sand" and "Fallen Leaves," but we also were surprised to see David Purcell and some of his family made the trip as well.  As brother Dan took over the bass duties, Dave did his great Willie Nelson sound alike, "Remember Me" and Merle Haggard's "Someday We'll Look Back."  Russell Neiderhouse sang a couple of Merle Haggard tunes himself, "Sing Me Back Home" and "Big City" while Art Damgar put his all into "Walk On By" and "Cheatin' Heart."  It was great seeing Ruthie Haynes get up and sing a couple as she is recovering from a double by-pass!  She sure seems to be doing fine, however as she sang "Brand New Heartache" and "No One Will Ever Know" beautifully.  Ed Hunsaker got the feet shufflin' with the "Grundy County Auction" and "Okie From Muskogee."  Little Peggy Horstman called the Virginia Reel as eight couples danced as the band played "Down Yonder."  Thanks to Mike and all the folks at Oregon for making this such a great evening!  (Below) top - Mike Polsgrove sings "Heartaches By The Number"  bottom - Dancers strutt their stuff on the big dance floor

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 13 November 2009 10:41 AM CST

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As usual, the BK was close to overflowing tonight as, sound check and set ups completed, the band struck up the familiare chords of "Gordon's Boogie."  Emcee Larry Dean welcomed the big crowd to the regular Tuesday night get-together and began the evening singing a couple of western swing numbers, "Rose Of San Antone" and "Corine, Corina."  Larry returned a little later with Alan Jackson's "Designated Drinker" and Merle Haggard's "Let's Rebuild America First."  Lead guitar Gordon Riley and the rest of the band, including drummer John Malone played the Chet Adkins number "Meet Mr. Callahan."  Getting a big hand for his vocal and picking on "Nine Pound Hammer," he returned later to play the beautiful "Sleepwalk."  "Mighty" Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee, got the feet tappin' and the fingers snappin' as he played "Fire On The Mountain, "Missouri Waltz" (Harry Truman's Favorite) and returned later with our request - "Ragtime Annie."  Mary Bichelmeyer, the group's bass player showed her vocal skills, doing a bang-up job with "Crazy Dreams," "Don't Tell Me What To Do" and the Judds' "Grandpa." 

It's always great to see and hear Garry Bichlemeyer perform and tonight he sang the popular Billy Currington number, "People Are Crazy" followed by a duet of the Soggy Bottom Boys' "In The Jailhouse Now" with Larry Dean.  Garry returned a little later with one of his clever, self-penned numbers "I'm So Lonesome In The Saddle Since My Horse Died" or as it is commonly called "The Dead Horse Song."  David Purcell's hand seems to be healing nicely after the surgery and tonight he sounded marvelous as he sang Merle's "It's Not Love, But It's Not Bad" and Willie Nelson's "Remember Me" and "Help Me Make It Through The Night."  After Scott Gilmore sang "Boot Scootin Boogie," Art Covey got a big hand as he played his mandolin and sang "Mountain Railway" and "Rebel Soldier."   

Bill White, whom we recently saw perform and visited with at the Barn Door Opry in Ravenwood, MO, kindly dropped in tonight and sang a few numbers with the group.  Beginning with "Big Blue Diamonds" and "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," it was "Slewfoot" and a little later "Please Release Me" and "Jambalaya."  Dancers and listeners alike gave Bill a huge hand and we hope he can return soon.  Art Covey closed the evening out with "Royal Telephone."  Just after the show, a lady who says she never misses a Tuesday night here at the BK, gave us a copy of a poem she had recently written about the BK and the Stranger Creek Band.   We are reproducing it here in it's entirety.  We think it is wonderful and we think you will too. Thanks Jean!

STRANGER CREEK BAND

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Thursday, 12 November 2009 2:39 AM CST

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Because of the unseasonably mild weather, a big crowd of Outlaw Country Music and more specifically Billy Joe Shaver fans filled the outdoor staging area at Knuckleheads this evening.  Located in Kansas City's east bottoms industrial area at 2715 Rochester Street, it butts right up to that area's extensive railroad switching yards.  The original building was in fact, built in 1887 as a rooming house for railroad workers and in 1997, when Frank HIcks and family acquired the property, became a motorcycle shop, which advertised free beer to entice bikers to find their out-of-the-way location.  Eventually, a liquor license was acquired and they began to book blues acts and other musical groups.  Today, not only is Knuckleheads known as one of the top blues venues in the country, but they book many of the top names in various types of music including classic country.

As we settled down with one of their monstrous barbeque beef sandwiches and fries at a table near the north end of the stage, tonight's opening group "Justa Billy & The Bullhaulers" opened the evening's festivities.  With Justin Schoening on vocals and rhythm, Bill Larson on drums, Russell Edgar on bass and Joel Martin playing lead guitar, this Northland-based group also opened for Grand Ole Opry star Hal Ketchum when he appeared here.  Beginning with Waylon's "Ramblin Man," a Charlie Robison song, "Bar Light, Bar Bright," Porter Wagoner's "Bottom Of The Bottle" and Delbert McClinton's "Two More Bottles Of Wine," then it was a Johnny Paycheck tune "The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised," Willie & Merle's "Poncho & Lefty" and "Ramblin Fever."  David Allan Coe was well represented as Justin sang "My Long Hair Don't Cover Up My Red Neck," "Up Against The Wall" and "Outlaw Country Singer."  This group showed their versatility with Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days," Chuck Berry's "Promise Land," Hank Williams III's "Mississippi Mud," Waylon's "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," John Anderson's "Black Sheep Of The Family,"  Charlie Daniels' "I Couldn't Believe" and Steve Earle's "Guitar Town."  This is an extremely talented group and Justin informed us, he will be appearing at Dirks Bar & Grille this Friday evening.  Check out their location, etc. by following the link found on our home page. 

Billy Joe Shaver was raised in the Corsicana, Texas area by his mother and grandmother after his father deserted the family before he was born.  He used to accompany his mother to the nightclub where she worked in Waco and it was there he was first exposed to country music.  He left school after the 8th grade and joined the Navy on his 17th birthday.  After his discharge, he tried a number of dead end jobs including a job at a lumber mill where he was injured and lost the better part of two fingers and contracted a serious infection.  Eventually recovering, he taught himself to play the guitar without the aid of those missing fingers.  Deciding that life was too short to do something he didn't enjoy, he set out to hitchhike to L.A., but he couldn't get a ride west and ended up just outside of Memphis, TN.  His next ride brought hm to Nashville, where he found a job as a songwriter for $50 a week.  His work came to the attention of Waylon Jennings whose album Honky Tonk Heroes contains mostly all Shaver songs.  Other artists such as Kris Krisofferson and Elvis Presley also began to record his music.  Today, Billy Joe Shaver not only records his own music, but enjoys packed houses wherever his tours take him.

Billy Joe's creations aren't merely songs, but rather a window into his past.  He once told us, "Son, I couldn't make that stuff up.  If I wrote it -- I lived it!"  With Billy Joe on vocals, Jeremy Woodall on lead guitar, Jason McKenzie on drums and Nick Dayton on doghouse bass the upbeat "Georgia On A Fast Train" was followed by "Honky Tonk Heroes," "That's What She Said Last Night," "The Devil Made Me Do It The First Time," "Let The World Call Me A Fool" and "Old Five And Dimers."  Next was a tune he wrote when he was about 8 years old, "Honey Bee" followed by a huge John Anderson hit "I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal," "Star In My Heart," one of our favorites "I'm Gonna Live Forever" and "Hottest Thing In Town."  Drummer Jason McKenzie played a terrific several minutes-long drum solo during the next selection "When The Word Was Thunderbird" and Jeremy Woodall was featured on "House On The Hill" and Nick Dayton slapped that big bass and sang "I Found My Weakness In You." 

Billy Joe related the circumstances leading up to his writing his next tune "Ragged Old Truck," and then after "Love Me One More Time Before I Go," it was "Good Ole USA" which he wrote as he was returning from a trip to Paris, France some years ago.  Urging the band to "Play as bad as you can, boys," he recounted a group he was with many years ago dubbing them the mythical "Slim Chance & the I Can't Hardly Play Boys."  "Love Is So Sweet," "Bottom Dollar," "It's Been That Way Since The Get-Go," "I Couldn't Be Me Without You," "Ride Me Down Easy" and "Try And Try Again" followed with Billy closing the evening most appropriately with "You Can't Beat Jesus Christ."  Billy Joe stayed till the wee hours, signing autographs, taking pictures and visiting with everyone who approached him.  He is a genuinely nice man in a business that has more than it's fair share of demands.  (Below)  l. to r.  Pete Saiger, Knuckleheads' sound technician, Billy Joe Shaver, Frank Hicks, Knuckleheads' owner & operator 

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 2:01 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 10 November 2009 3:42 PM CST

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It's been quite a spell since we've had the opportunity to visit Bill & Vicki Walker's Barn Door Opry in Ravenwood, MO which is just off US 136, just east of Maryville, MO.  We always enjoy listening to this band, known as the Stepping Stones perform all those old classic country tunes we love so much.  We were delighted also to see two of our favorite entertainers, Vance & Lila Monday were here as well and we were to enjoy Vance's steel guitar & fiddle work and Lila's beautiful vocals.  Joining Bill (emcee, sound, vocals, etc.) and Vicki (keyboards, vocals) Walker and the Mondays were Tanner Walker (drums, vocals), Jim Wells (lead guitar), Dona Wills (bass), sisters Linda Atwood (sax, vocals) and Melanie Coulter (fiddle) with Ron Burson handling banjo, guitar, vocals and comedy duties.

After the band played the old fiddle tune "Back Up And Push" featuring Vance Monday's and Melanie Coulter's fiddling, Ron Burson stepped front and center to sing "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home."  Later he was to play the "Black Mountain Rag" on the banjo and sing an old Roy Drusky number, "Another."   At one point he asked Bill Walker if he knew that Ron had married a twin.  "How do you tell them apart?" Bill asked.  "Well, it's not too hard," Ron told him."  "Her brother's a couple of inches taller!"  Linda Atwood played some great honky-tonk sax with a upbeat version of "Cotton Fields Back Home," "Take It Back" (vocals & sax) and joined sister Melanie Coulter's fiddling on the "Orange Blossom Special."  Speaking of Melanie, we were treated to some great fiddle music and more from this young lady tonight with "Ragtime Annie," "When My Time Comes To Go" (featuring some sibling harmony with Linda), "Bill Cheatum," "Soldier's Joy" and "Golden Slippers" (w/Linda on sax).  Tanner Walker, Bill & Vicki's son is not only a terrific drummer, but has worked hard at and has become a top vocalist (which is not easy to accomplish while playing drums) and tonight he did a bang-up job  singing "Ghost Riders In The Sky," Willie's "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain," "Great Speckled Bird" (with his dad), Hank Sr.'s "Kaw Liga," Marty Robbins' "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" and Josh Turner's "Long Black Train." 

Vicki Walker played and sang "Crazy Arms" and a Linda Ronstadt number, "Making Plans" while everyone stood as Bill sang "Green Beret" to honor our fighting men and women who are serving in distant lands.   Vance & Lila Monday always prove to be such a treat to see and listen to and tonight Lila was up first, singing Loretta Lynn's "Blue Kentucky Girl" with Vance close behind, playing "Cold, Cold Heart" and our request - a beautiful song he wrote for Beth Hunter's show in Allerton, IA - "Night Sky."  Lila returned to sing "Somewhere Between," then joined Vance to sing one of our favorite spirituals, "On My Father's Side."  We hadn't had an opportunity to meet their son Lonnie Monday, who lives in Tabor, IA before tonight, so it was quite a treat to hear him sing "Heartaches By The Number," "The Fugitive" and "Crazy Arms" for the big crowd.  Jim Wells plays a sweet-sounding lead guitar and accompanied by wife Dona on bass and others was featured on Ray Price's "Soft Rain" and "Frankie & Johnnie."  It was a pleasure seeing Elaine Jackson again (it's been quite a spell) and we enjoyed hearing her sing another Roy Drusky tune "Alone With You" and "Sortin' Through What's Left Of You And Me."

Tonight's special guest was a man we were not unaware of.  We first heard Bill White perform at Jess Richardson's Westline Jamboree and later at Middle Creek Opry near Louisburg, KS.  Bill is blessed with a great country voice and can sing practically anything that is thrown his way.  If you like classic country, Bill is your man and tonight he began his set with "Slewfoot" followed by a Jackie Ward song, "Big Blue Diamonds," Mel Tillis' "New Patches," Marty Robbins' "Knee Deep In The Blues," Hank Sr.'s "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and Ernest Tubbs' "Journey's End."  As a rare encore, he sang Marty Robbins' "Singing The Blues" and Hank's "Jambalaya," then returned the second half with Lefty Frizzell's "She's Gone, Gone, Gone," Bobby Bare's "Four Strong Winds," Hank's "Settin' The Woods On Fire," Ernest Tubbs' "Drivin' Nails In My Coffin" and "'Cause My Sweet Love Ain't Around."  The crowd of nearly 200, clearly showed their enjoyment and approval and we predict that Bill will want to return to these parts real soon.  Everyone joined in the singing of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" to close out tonight's festivities.  (Below) top - Bill White entertains the big crowd tonight at the Barn Door Opry  bottom - Vance & Lila Monday sing "On My Father's Side"

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:44 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 8 November 2009 4:03 PM CST

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Every Wednesday, a small two room space filled with musical memoribilia and oozing with nostalgia located at Knucklehead's (a musical emporium on Kansas City's east side) which is normally known as the Retro Lounge becomes the Gospel Lounge, where folks gather to hear not only  gospel music but some great country/western licks at well as a terrific spiritual message.  Pastor Carl Butler (lead guitar & vocals) and wife Pastor Sharon who head up this weekly meeting are joined by Jamie Gumm Ogle (vocals), John Nichols (organ, vocals), Frank Infranca (bass), George Lapp (keyboards) & Dale Zea (drums).  We certainly enjoy hearing these folks play every time we have the chance to visit.  Jamie & Carl of course, among their other entertainment ventures, are both members of the Middle Creek Band which plays every Saturday night during the season at the Rutlader Outpost, just south of Louisburg, KS.

The program tonight started with a beautiful instrumenal - "Mercy, Mercy," then it was Carl with "I Love To Be In Your Presence."  John Nichols sounded great as he sang and played "Singing The Blues" and Ray Price's "Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me."  Jamie Gumm Ogle was to follow with Linda Rhonstadt's "When Will I Be Loved" and Kris Krisofferson's "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends."  Carl was to return with "Ancient Of Days" with some great backup singing by Jamie and then John sang an audience favorite, "I See The Lord" and was joined by Carl for a duet of the Waylon Jennings' classic "Good Hearted Woman."  After a great insterumental, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," Jamie sang while Carl played his flattop on a simply beautiful rendition of "Over The Rainbow."

Pastor Carl's message tonight was directed towards these uncertain times -- Negativity in Tough Times.  How do you keep Positive Faith?  In these times of unemployment, losing homes, etc. we must all take positive steps:  Keep serving Christ, have compassion for others and don't compromise your Christian charity.  Helping others will benefit you more that it will them.  Wise words indeed!  The Gospel Lounge starts @ 7:30 PM and is held each and every Wednesday night.  (Below) The Gospel Lounge 11-4-09

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 10:09 PM CST

Updated: Thursday, 5 November 2009 12:37 PM CST

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