As master-fiddler Larry Ellis and the rest of the Big Creek band, including Kevin Hoff on drums, Ted Cline on bass and Mike Campbell on banjo/guitar opened the show with "The Rocker Arm Reel," Big Creek's owner, operator & emcee Dennis Dittemore welcomed everyone to tonight's gala event with "The Christmas Polka." Debbie Martin (or Debbie Erikson if you're a KFKF listener) continued the holiday theme, singing "Winter Wonderland" and "Do You See What I See," beautifully while maestro Phil HIlton did an incredible job with "Jingle Bells" and "Chariots Of Fire." Cindy Dittemore did a spectactular job herself here tonight as she sang "All I Want For Christmas Is You," joined Debbie on "Jingle Bell Rock" then returned later with Amy Grant's "Tennessee Christmas." It's always a gas to see and hear Mike Campbell play banjo (and guitar) and tonight he got the feet shufflin' with "Raw Hide," "Dear Old Dixie" and "Hee Haw Junction" with Larry Ellis and the band. Jim Lower is one of the finest lead guitar players we've heard and tonight he treated the crowd to some great instrumental work as he played "Faded Love" and "Frankie & Johnnie." Santa himself made a personal appearance here tonight, conveniently arriving right at intermission with sacks of candy and goodies for all the "children" in the audience!
We always enjoy hearing Kevin & Ted Cline sing that good 'ol classic country music and tonight they began with a Buck Owens' tribute with Kevin singing "Love's Gonna Live Here Again" and "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" and Ted, "I'll Go To Church Again With Momma." Returing later Ted was to sing Mel Street's "Big Diamonds" and Johnny Rodriquez's "Love Put A Song In My Heart" while Kevin sang Willie Nelson's "Pretty Paper" (Ray Benson told us once that Willie saw a man with no legs on a skateboard in San Antonio selling pencils, envelopes & paper and it inspired this song) and Ronnie Milsap's "Back On My Mind Again." This is the second time we have seen Tracy Allison from Freeman, MO perform and again we are very impressed with this young lady's natural abilities and presence. Among her selections tonight were Suzy Bogguss' "Two Step Around The Christmas Tree," Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone," "Someday Soon" (we saw Ann-Margaret do this at Andy Williams' theatre in Branson years ago) and Alan Jackson's "The Angels Cried."
Our pal Larry Smith is always a big hit here at Big Creek whenever he performs and tonight he certainly showed why as he started things off with a Moe Bandy hit "Too Old To Die Young" followed by Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" and a seasonal tune written by Larry himself entitled "Put Christ Back In Christmas." Larry returned the second half with the Johnny Russell written, Gene Watson performed "Got No Reason Now For Going Home," a request for a just-retired friend, Johnny Paycheck's "Take This Job And Shove It," George Jones' "She Thinks I Still Care" and the moving "I Was There." Dennis closed the evening, reminding everyone what Christmas is truly about with "Oh, Holy Night" and Larry Ellis and the band played "2 O'Clock In The Morning" as the curtain closed. (Below) top - Cindy & Dennis visit Santa middle - Debbie gives Santa her wish list (and a hug!) bottom - Wonder what Larry Smith's gonna get from Santa?
