It seems like forever since we've been back to visit Ron Holmes and his terrific crew at the Fillmore Opry (directions: at the main crossroads in downtown Fillmore, next to the pop machine). We decided to remedy that situation tonight and asked our friend Sandy Barnett to come along and bring her 'pint-sized' little Martin guitar along. We had to wait until Sandy got off work, so we couldn't leave home until 5:30 and arrived a couple of minutes after 7:00! Our advice is to leave a little sooner if you're planning on driving this far!
Ron himself was singing the Hank Williams' classic "There's A Tear In My Beer" as we arrived and later it was "City Lights," "Six Days On The Road," Hawkshaw Hawkins' "Lonesome 7-7203," George Jones' "Love Bug," Gene Watson's "Twice The Fool To Stay," "I Don't Mind Going Under If It Will Get Me Over You" and the hilarious "Waltz Across Wal-Mart." Jim Williams is certainly an extremely talented individual as well, playing a great electric guitar, harmonica and is a super vocalist to boot. He got the feet shufflin' on the dance floor with "1-800 Do You Care," "Country Love," "A Texas Honky-Tonk," "If I Ever Need A Lady I'll Call You," "Charlie's Shoes," "Face To The Wall" and Gene Watson's "Got No Reason Now For Going Home." We always enjoy so much hearing Norma Radmer play that honky-tonk piano (keyboard to be specific) and sing and tonight she did "You Call Everybody Darling," "I'm A Little Bit Lonesome," "Here We Go Again," "Ain't That Being A Little Bit Unfair," "St. Louie Blues," "Amazing Grace" (in native Cherokee & English) much to the audience's delight. Lead guitarist Caryl Walker showed what a diversified musician he is tonight as he picked and sang "Hey Good Lookin'," Hag's "Mama Tried," "Poor Little Fool," "That's All Right Mama," "Hello Walls," a 50's medley "Say You Will"/"Lonely Teardrops," "Pour Out The Rain," George Jones' "Window Up Above" and Marty Robbins' "White Sport Coat." This band really hums, due in large measure to Terry Durfee on bass and Dick Swalls on drums.
Tonight's special guest was Phil Davison from St. Joseph, MO. We visited briefly with Phil and he shared the fact that he had sang and played for almost 30 years, then gave it up and only recently was getting back into things. From all that we could tell, the man hasn't lost a thing and the audience showed their appreciation as Phil sang George Strait's "The Fireman," Ray Price's "Pride," the Chuck Berry classic "Roll Over Beethoven" and Leroy Van Dyke's "Auctioneer Song. Phil came back the second half with "All My Ex's Live In Texas," Faron Young's "Step Aside," Merle Haggard's "Let's Chase Each Other Round the Room Tonight," "She Called Me Baby" and "It Keeps Right On A'Hurtin" to a big ovation.
We hadn't seen Donna Smith and her husband Charles for sometime either (they have the Northwest Opry, Sun. at 2PM in Maryville, MO) and we sure enjoyed hearing Donna sing "I'll Be Following You" and "Take It To The Lord In Prayer." We just knew the crowd would enjoy hearing Sandy Barnett sing and such was the case as she enjoyed playing with this band and singing Little Jimmy Dickens' "I'm Little But I'm Loud," "Truck Drivin' Man," "Don't Be Angry," "Okie From Muskogee" & "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You." Sandy will be returning sometime in November as a guest artist. Jim Williams closed this wonderful evening with a couple of gospel numbers: "I Saw A Man" and "I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You." (Below) Sandy Barnett & The Filmore Opry Band
