We haven't had the opportunity to visit Dave Wooge and his Burlington Opry, which is held every 1st Saturday at the historical Music Box Theatre in Burlington, KS, for quite awhile now, so despite a rather crummy forecast, mid-afternoon found us heading south on I-35/US75, arriving well before the 7PM start time. Dave, who is still on crutches and heavily bandaged from a recent foot operation, didn't miss a beat, emceeing the event with his usual comedic flair, doing a tremendous job behind the keyboards and displaying his vocal talents. The Music Box band had some new faces tonight with Lane Gray of Topeka on steel guitar and Mark Paquette of Ottawa on drums. Dave Hammersmith who hails from Lansing, KS was back on lead guitar, as was Russell Wolfe of Topeka on bass. A neat surprise was seeing Thomas McGregor here tonight, playing fiddle. We've known Thomas for many years and knew he had left the area at one time to pursue his musical career. It was great seeing him again! Dave is not the only Wooge involved in the Opry as wife Stephanie handles the box office, concessions and lots more of the business side and daughters Katie (12 years old) and Erin (6 years old) both sing with the band.
The show started, as customary, with Katie bearing the Stars and Stripes down the main aisle to the stage and Erin leading the audience, singing "The Star Spangled Banner." Dave and the band welcomed everyone with Porter Wagoner's "Company's Comin'." We always enjoy hearing Russell Wolfe tackle a good country song and tonight he sounded super as he sang Merle's "Let's Chase Each Other Round The Room Tonight," Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool" and "Silver Wings" among others. Drummer Mark Paquette also did a bang-up job singing Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown," Roger Miller's "King Of The Road" and Buck Owens' "Act Naturally." Lane Gray turned his steel guitar loose on "Bud's Bounce" and returned later to sing "Heart Over Mind" while Dave Wooge sang the Tennessee Ernie Ford classic, "Sixteen Tons" as well as the "Tennessee Waltz" and Johnny Horton's "North To Alaska." Dave Hammersmith got an ovation as he sang Buck Owens' "Tiger By The Tail" while Thomas McGregor had his fiddle smokin' with "Ida Red," "Faded Love" and the "Orange Blossom Special." Katie Wooge got a big hand as she sang "End Of The World" and Donna Fargo's "Happiest Girl In The Whole USA" as did sister Erin ("You Are My Sunshine").
The first of tonight's guest artists was our friend Butch Carter from Quinemo, KS, who after singing Gene Watson's "14 Carat Mind," was joined by Russell & Dave to sing "Tom Dooley," a 1958 megahit by the Kingston Trio. Conway Twitty's "Linda On My Mind," Faron Young's "Four In The Morning," Marty Robbins' "Devil Woman," Leroy Van Dyke's "Just Walk On By" and a super duet with tonight's other guest artist Lorena Prater of Johnny Duncan's "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" followed. Lorena, who lives in nearby Vassar, KS, is a consumate entertainer, being able to sing a Patsy Cline song with the best of 'em and can put an audience in the aisles with a side-splitting comedy routine! Tonight it was Hank Sr.'s "Jambalaya," Patsy's "Crazy." a great duet with Russell Wolf of the Vince Gill/Patty Loveless release, "You're My Kind Of Woman (You're My Kind Of Man) followed by another Patsy Cline number "Walking After Midnight," Tammy Wynette's "Apartment #9" and joined by Russell & Dave, the June Carter/Johnny Cash chartbuster "Jackson." Also, dressed in her 50's bobby soxer outfit, complete with hoop skirt and saddle oxfords, she awakened a lot of memories with "Why Do Fools Fall In Love."
An extra special treat tonight was Autumn Kirchner's Star Struck program which operates from the Burlington Recreation Center. Composed of young ladies, ages 5 through 12 who, all dressed up for the occasion sang and executed some of the cutest choreographed routines we've seen. After Autumn sang the Dolly Parton hit "9 to 5," the 5 year olds performed "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," the 7 year olds, "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree," the 8 year olds, "You Belong With Me" and the 10-12 year olds, "Love Story." The big audience applauded both Ms. Kirchner and her future starlets: Gabbi Burger (8), Brooke Faimon (7), Madison Fischer (8), Jalyn Griffith (8), Kassidy Gutsch (5), Desiree Hartpense (10), Megan Hartpense (8), Makena Klubek (5), Breea McManus (7), Kylie Price (5), Delanie Sloop (12), Jara Thorp (8), Kameron Cole (8), Cassidy Birk (8) and Rachel Adkin (7). This super show closed most appropriately with Thomas fiddling "How Great Thou Art" and the cast singing "Praise Him." (Below) top - Russell Wolfe, Dave Wooge & guest artist Butch Carter sing "Tom Dooley" center - Lorena Prater & Butch sing "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" bottom - Autumn Kirchner with members of Star Struck
