We always have a wonderful time whenever we spend a Wednesday night at Dirks listening to our friend Mike O'Roark play music and sing with his friends (Roger Brough on lead guitar and harmonica, C.J. Sanders on electric bass and Don Wiser behind the drums) and as we had the day off, we got there in plenty of time to get a table close to the bandstand.
Mike started this enjoyable evening off with a couple of Johnny Cash numbers, "I Got Stripes" and "Guess Things Happen That Way," then it was "Cryin Holy To The Lord," Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side Of Life," "Grandpa Was A Carpenter," "Nine Pound Hammer," "Louisiana Saturday Night," the Hank Williams' classic "Jambalaya," Garth Brooks' smash "Friends In Low Places," Johnny Horton's "Battle Of New Orleans," Tom T. Hall's "Old Dogs And Children And Watermelon Wine" and "Hard Time Blues." Answering a request, Terry O'Brien did a great job on "Chantilly Lace," while C.J. Sanders fullfilled another, singing "They Call The Wind Mariah" and "Home Grown Tomatoes" to boot! Mike again took center stage singing the old Carter Family classic "You Are My Flower," "Big Bruce" (a take-off on Jimmy Dean's "Big John" - need we explain?) and "Did She Mention My Name" before asking Saundra Brough and Jennifer O'Brien to join the group on stage to sing some gospel favorites from his new album. These folks made some beautiful music as they sang "Working On The Road To Gloryland," "Walking In Jerusalem Just Like John," "The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor" (recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys among others), "I'll Fly Away" and "May The Circle Be Unbroken." For more information on Mike's CD's and appearances, check out his website www.mikeoroark.com (Below) Saundra & Roger Brough, Jennifer O'Brien & C.J. Sanders join Mike O'Roark (center) to sing some gospel greats.
