About once every couple of weeks or so, the Ribbon Room which is located just behind Shawnee (KS) city hall at 11211 W. 58th St., features Kansas City's own resident standup comedian, singer, picker and all-round entertainment guru, Calvin Cooledge along with drummer/washboard strummer Lou Moore. Make no mistake about it, this team is world-class entertainment, and as a matter of fact have just returned from Mexico's Riveria Nayarit, where they have been performing for the past three months at variious clubs and casinos during tourist season there.
Meeting some friends tonight, we arrived at the Ribbon Room a little early, but bartender/waiter Matt made us feel right at home with cool drinks, a bowl of bean soup & cornbread for me and a gigantic hot dog for Miss Jean. As we waited for Calvin & Co. to set up, a great couple, Kathy & Marvin introduced themselves as longtime customers here and mentioned that the Ribbon Room and it's predecessors have been at this location for over 40 years. We found it to be a cozy atmosphere and super acoustics which proved to be the almost perfect venue for this type performance.
Calvin's comedic stylings, his timing and stage presence are impeccable. Whether it was "G" rated (on the economy - it's so bad the Dollar Store now has layaway! -- Social Security asked me if I'd take a buy out!), RAW or maybe just a little undercooked -- the man is just FUNNY! And no one is safe, not audience members (is that a haircut or are you going to the electric chair?), family members (it takes my brother Paul an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes!) or even himself (I used to be a sugar daddy, but since I got diabetes I'm a Splenda daddy). Add to this mix the awesome musical talent as well. He can sing and play almost any song you can think of -- never looking at a note or sheet of music! Visiting with Lou after the set, he remarked that Calvin must know at least 800-900 songs from memory.
Starting with the self written, whimiscal "I'm Drinking Dinner Again," Calvin showed great versatility with Tompall Glazer's "Put Another Log On The Fire," George Hamilton IV's "Abilene," the Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved," Ricky Nelson's "I'm A Travelin Man," "Livin' Alone" and David Alan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." Close behind were Jimmy Buffet's "Margaretaville," "Bill Bailey," Hank Sr.'s "Hey Good Lookin'," Herman Hermits' "Henry The 8th," another of Calvin's songs "Bucerias Blues" about the Mexican town where Lou has his winter home, Roger Miller's "Kansas City Star," "King Of The Road" and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ring Of Fire" and "Jackson." The evening wound down with "Proud Mary," "This Land Is Your Land" and "Good Night Sweetheart."
We throughly enjoyed ourselves and recommend that if you'd enjoy a great evening of adult entertainment that you make it a point to contact the Ribbon Room at 913-631-1131 to see when you can catch Calvin & Lou's fantastic show. (Below) Calvin Cooledge & Lou Moore
