Thanks to Annie & Terry Dunavin (& cast) for a most enjoyable evening. Every one of the 419 seats (there will be 430 by the time construction is complete, Terry tells us) was filled as Annie welcomed everyone with a robust "Come On In, Sit Right Down And Make Yourself At Home!" Annie, in spite of not feeling 100% (she was in the hospital Thursday) sounded great nonetheless, launching into a couple of Patsy Cline songs ("Crazy Dreams" & "Heartaches"), then later it was "Low And Lonely," "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Always" for a couple in the audience celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary (this was one of my Dad's favorite songs; he was a big band enthusiast).
David George, band director & lead guitar who was recently named the Kansas State Flatpicking Champion, assumed the emcee duties here tonight as Jim Winters had the evening off. David sang Ricky Skaggs' "Heartbroke," then did an awesome job playing "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" and later it was John Conley's "Backside Of Thirty" to the audience's delight. Fred Uzzell not only plays his triple bar steel guitar beautifully, but is quite adept on the dobro and mandolin. Tonight he treated everyone to "September In The Rain" and "Somewhere My Love." Pretty Ronni Ward sang "Cheatin'," "How's The World Treating You," Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Down At The Twist And Shout" and "Long, Long Time" beautifully while husband Ted Ward, the group's bass player, showed his vocal skills with "Only The Lonely." We always enjoy hearing drummer Steve Straub sing as well and tonight he did a dynamite job with Merle Haggard's "Farmer's Daughter" and Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool." BTW: Country Music Legend Jack Greene himself will be appearing here at Annie's October 13, 2007 for two great shows - 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM, tickets $18 advance, $20 door. For more information call 1-866-426-6437. We look forward to hearing some great fiddle music from "Mighty" Marvin Bredemeier every time we get out here to Tonganoxie, and Marvin didn't disappoint us tonight as he did such a great job on "Orange Blossom Special" (whew!), "Rubber Dolly" as well as "Redwing" as he helped the band close out the first half. We again saw our former schoolmate Glen Smith, who ran Glen's Opry at this location for many years and Barbara Ackley who publishes the Midwest Country News (the little newspaper which is given away at most oprys in the area), who came down all the way from Des Moines for her first visit. She also has a website: www.midwestcountrynews.com for more information. The July issue features a story about Sarah Getto.
Beth Hunter is not only a singer or a musician, for that matter. She is an extraordinary entertainer to say the least. We have seen her perform here at Annie's several times; even at her own show in Centerville, Iowa and we always leave thinking we can't wait until we get to do this all over again. Her high energy, spontaneous delivery is certainly addictive to say the least. Tonight it was Trisha Yearwood's "She's In Love With The Boy," "You Don't Know Me," "Bumming Around," Patsy Montana's "Cowboy's Sweetheart" (complete with some great yodeling), "Too Many Rivers" and she had the audience in stiches with "Don't Leave Your Records In The Sun" and her signature "Washing Machine Song" which was written by John Hartford of "Gentle On My Mind" fame. Beth always performs at the New Year's show and we're looking forward to that. (Below) the dynamic Beth Hunter - try her website: http://www.nightskyopry.com/
Sarah Getto was born blind and with a severe cleft palate. Despite these severe handicaps, she taught herself to play the piano at age 3 and the fiddle at age 10! Today, she tours throughout the mid and southwest with her parents Mike & Pat Getto, performing at various oprys and variety shows in the area. She is a prolific songwriter, records her own CDs, graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University this year and will begin teaching musical education in her home town of Norman, Oklahoma this coming Monday morning. Additionally, the US government recently contacted Sarah, asking her to perform for some of the wounded troops who will be arriving back from bases in Iraq and Afghanistan! And it's no wonder - who wouldn't be motivated after seeing, hearing and meeting Sarah? Tonight it was Alison Krause's "The Lucky One," her friend Reba McEntire's "Somebody Should Leave," "When I Fall In Love," "Today I Started Loving You Again," Anne Murray's "You Needed Me" and some great boogie woogie piano music. The gospel section tonight featured Beth Hunter singing "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" and Sarah Getto's "God Bless America." The band closed the show with "I'll Fly Away." (Below) Miss Sarah Getto "truly the voice of an angel" (she also has a website: http://www.sarahgetto.com/)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Sarah Getto will be returning for a special Christmas show, December 22nd. We have heard some of her wonderful Christmas and holiday music. Don't miss it!
ALSO: Next week (Sept. 22nd) at Annie's it will be the Bucky Fowler Family performing and in two weeks (Sept. 29th) the boys from Arkansas, Bart O'Neal and Johnny Hutson will be there.
For more information try Annie's website: http://www.anniescountryjubilee.com/
