As Larry Dean kicked off tonight's session with Hank Williams' "Settin The World On Fire" and Merle's "Ramblin Fever," little Matthew Gilmore took his customary place near the bandstand, setting up his bright green plastic floor mike and strumming his pint-sized guitar in perfect rhythm. Tomorrow is Matthew's 5th birthday and the band, the audience, even the restaurant worksrs joined in singing "Happy Birthday." His dad, Scott Gilmore showed he also is blessed with musical abilities first singing "Boot Scootin Boogie" and later Conway Twitty's "Tight Fitting Jeans."
The band featuring Gordon Riley on lead and John Malone on drums, did an excellent job on "Mona Lisa," "Interstate Rag," "Buckaroo/Gordon's Rag," "Ghost Riders In The Sky" (Larry - vocals), "Bells Of St. Mary's" and "Honky Tonk." We visited for a bit with John Malone at intermission and learned he is originally from Lawrence, KS where as a youngster he bought a set of drums from Dewey Richardson and got much of his knowledge and experience from playing jams, dance bands and the like around town. While playing with a blues band, it was discovered John was adept playing bass as well! He played with Jimmy Rodgers (whom we heard last year at Leland Jones' Country Pickin Opry) and for Byron Jones in Richmond, MO at the old Farris Theatre. Recalling those days, he remembered playing with Tommy Cash who wouldn't sing any of his brother Johnny's songs ("I don't see why I should; he doesn't sing any of mine!"), Buck Trent who played banjo for Porter Wagoner for so many years, Randy Travis and Larry Moore, who although he has been a television newscaster on KMBC for over three decades, could have been a singer or stand-up comedian if he had chosen, according to John. John, plays drums for Stranger Creek and in addition to the BK, plays at the Grinter Barn Jamboree held every 1st & 3rd Thursdays.
After Mary Bichelmeyer did an outstanding job with "Don't Tell Me What To Do," "Bill Bailey," "Your Cheating Heart" and "I'd Rather Be A Poorman's Woman," husband Garry Bichelmeyer shared his songwriting genius with "Marie," "Bustin' Up Rocks," "Mike's Guitar" and Ricky Skaggs' "Crying My Heart Out Over You." Larry Dean returned to treat the listeners as well as the dancers with "Hot Flash On A Cold Winter Chill," Vern Gosdin's "Would These Arms Be In Your Way," Chuck Berry's "Memphis Tennessee," Merle's "I Had A Beautiful Time," "House Of Blue Lights," "Stagger Lee" and "Big River." It was nice to see Larry's wife, Rosey behind the big white dog house bass tonight as well.
Calvin Cooledge, KC's resident comedian who has been in Mexico for the past three months entertaining in various spots, dropped in to visit and share a few songs with us. After remarking that he was starting a new business - he intends to import Mexican water to KC and resell it as stool softner LOL- Calvin got a huge hand as he sang Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons," Waylon's "She's A Good Hearted Woman," "You've Got Me Singing The Blues" and a 50's medley: Richey Valens' "Donna/Dream/Blue Moon/Angel Baby/Goodbye My Love." Good to see Calvin again and look for him at the Rainbow Lounge in Shawnee, KS this Friday. (Below) John Malone 
