It was a super evening to get out and about in "Beautiful, Tropical, Downtown Tonganoxie, Kansas" and a big crowd greeted Annie Dunavin and the Country Jubilee band as she welcomed everyone with "Come On In, Sit Right Down & Make Yourself At Home!" Annie returned later in the program to sing a duet of Lee Ann Womack's "Make Memories With Me" with Jim Winters, A-11 (we remember Buck Owens singing this on Hee-Haw several years ago), Connie Smith's "Nobody But A Fool" and Glen Campbell's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix." Pretty Ronni Ward turned back the clock as well with Lefty Frazzell's "Always Late," "The Sweetest Thing," Highway 101's "The Bed You Made For Me" and Patty Loveless' "Nothing But The Wheel" while husband Ted Ward, the group's bass player showed his vocal skills with "Get Back My Heart." The "Tonganoxie Troubadour" himself, emcee Jim Winters introduced the band after singing Charlie Pride's "Just Between You And Me," then it was Merle's "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and a little later Waylon Jennings' "The Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line" and George Strait's "Don't Mind If I Do." Fred Uzzell's triple neck Remington steel guitar was jumping tonight with the "Nashville Bounce" and "Harbour Lights" and ditto with "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier who fiddled "Silver Bells" and "Tennessee Wagner" much to the crowd's delight. Cute-as-a-bug Haylie Walter stepped front and center to sing Dottie West's "Lesson In Leaving," Tammy Wynette's "D.I.V.O.R.C.E." and "You Win Again" while drummer Steve Straub reminded us of the great show we saw last night with Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool."
Beth Hunter is what showmanship is all about. As well as having her own show, Night Sky Opry up in Iowa, Beth always helps bring in the New Year here at Annie's as well as other numerous appearances throughout the year. Always a huge crowd favorite, tonight Beth paid special homage to the wonderful voice and talents of singer Anne Murray with "Snowbird," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Night Life," an upbeat version of "Your Cheating Heart," "Could I Have This Dance" and "You Needed Me." It wouldn't have been a Beth Hunter visit of course without the finale with help from Annie, Ronni and the crew -- "The Washing Machine Song!"
This last Saturday of the month always features an individual band member and tonight it was Annie's musical director, lead guitarist and 2008 Kansas State Flatpicking Champion David George who stepped to the mike. It was evident to this listener that David not only is a world-class guitarist but he has become such a great singer as well. First it was John Conlee's "Rose Colored Glasses" then Alabama's "Lady Down On Love," "Poor Richard's Blues" (one of his selections at the flatpicking championships), Don Williams' "Tulsa Time," Roger Miller's "Husbands & Wives," "Moonlight Motor Inn" and Clayton Morgan's "I Was Almost Home." Just a great performance! The show closed as Steve Straub led the ACJ Quartet in the great gospel number "Beulah Land." (Below) top -- Jim Winters, Marvin Bredemeier, David George & Fred Uzzell bottom -- Beth Hunter with Ronni Ward
