The affair was dubbed "Celebrate America" and was a benefit to assist the Raytown Emergency Assistance Program. It was organized and directed by associates and employees of Coldwell Banker Hometown Realty with the help of several local business sponsors. A huge American flag served as a backdrop on the stage of the Robert Atkin Performing Arts Center at Raytown High School as Rachel Williams, with the Raytown Police Department's honor guard, sang the National Anthem to start the evening's festivities. The first half of tonight's program featured Raytown students/grads and local talent and was emceed by Ben Helt, who had everyone imagine they were in the "Cafe Americana," enjoying a cup of coffee, a sweet roll and watching a floor show with a theme: "What it means to be an American!" The audience stood as Wayne Pert led them in the Pledge Of Allegiance, then it was the jazz ensemble of David Allie, Ben Saylor and James Baker followed by Lynda Shrader who reminded everyone "No, Freedom Isn't Free." After another song by Rachel Williams and friend Paul, Dr. Barbara Condra shared some words from John F. Kennedy entitled "The Torch Is Passed" and Cathy Allie and friends did a great routine entitled "Stand." We throughly enjoyed hearing 15-year-old Tatiana Schaffer sing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA." Her mother and grandmother were on the front row (right next to us as a matter of fact), beaming with pride. Jan Shomin recited "Heal America" before some beautiful young ladies ranging in age from 4 to 19 from the Ballet Conservatory of Independence and under the direction of Ulla Ames performed a medley of dances, all well-done with beautiful costuming. Vida Santone used her rich, powerful voice to bring us to intermission with "God Bless America." Below: Tatiana Schaffer
After a brief intermission, it was time for the Big Creek Show which featured emcee Dennis Dittemore, Debbie Martin (Debbie Erikson to you KFKF listeners), Phil Hilton, Jeremy Cato, Larry Ellis, David Taylor, Jim Doney, Jim Lower and Kevin Hoff. Larry Ellis, who's known almost as well for his jokes as he is for his teriffic fiddling started things off with "Granny White." He remarked later that he was a little put out this evening: "Me and the wife had words -- I didn't get to use mine!" Dennis with Dave, Jeremy and Phil reminded everyone that "My Baby Is American Made" and later sang Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" and "God Bless The USA" for the big crowd. Debbie Martin always does a super job and always seems to have the right material for the right occasion and tonight was no exception as she sang the Oak Ridge Boys "American Family," the Statlers' "More Than A Name On A Wall" and Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag." We think Jeremy Cato has one of the most destinctive tenor voices around and he put it to good use here tonight with John Michael Montgomery's "Grundy County Auction," Craig Morton's "That's What I Love About Sunday" and Elvis' "An American Trilogy." Lead guitarist Jim Lower did super singing Merle's "Fighting Side Of Me" and piano virtuoso Phil Hilton (a Raytown HS grad) brought the house down with "Cannon." David Taylor put his deep bass voice to good use with "Long Black Train" and cured everyone's cravings for Chinese food with "Cat In The Kettle At The Peking Moon." After Jeremy, David, Dennis and Debbie sang the beautiful gospel number "Light At The End Of The Darkness," Larry Ellis and the band closed the evening with "Orange Blossom Special." Below: The Big Creek Show 6/28/07
