Tonight finds us in Ft. Scott, Kansas to attend that community's latest country music venture, the Ft. Scott Jamboree held every Saturday night at historical Memorial Hall and hosted by Shawn and Collette Pittman. Although this was only their third show, signs of cohesiveness appear and one has the feeling that something important is about to happen. The Jamboree band features unbelievably talented 14 yr. old Austin Stewart on steel and dobro, Doug Fuller of Joplin on drums, Lee Ogle playing bass who hails from Baxter Springs, KS, Lou Davidson, Radley, KS who handles duties on lead guitar, keyboards and harmonica, and of course, Sean Pittman, one of the best we've heard on fiddle & mandolin.
The evening's festivities began with "Sweet Georgia Brown" featuring Shawn on the mandolin. Later, he was to return fiddle in hand, to do just an incredible job with "Ragtime Annie," "Back Up And Push," "Red Wing," "Faded Love" and "Orange Blossom Special." We got a glimpse of the talent of young Austin Stewart as he played steel on "Boot Hill Drag" and "Steel Guitar Rag" as well as his little brother Dalton (11 yrs. old), who played Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" and "Surf Board Boogie" on the piano! Multi-talented Lou Davidson showed his vocal prowess singing Josh Turner's "Long Black Train" and Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire" while drummer Doug Fuller did a super job with "Wipe Out" and sounded great singing Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool." We have always enjoyed listening to Collette Pittman's beautiful voice and were disappointed that she only sang a couple of numbers tonight. She did a wonderful job as always, singing Tammy Wynette's "Apartment #9 and "Summertime."
We met Ginelle Esry and her family last year when she appeared at the previous show here in Ft. Scott and were amazed at the voice and talent this young lady (only an 8th grader) possesses. She has won almost every singing contest she has entered and tonight showed her versatility with Tanya Tucker's "San Antonio Stroll," "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," Patsy's "Walkin After Midnight" and "San Antonio Rose." Ken Phagley has always been a favorite of ours. This gentleman, who has sang at almost every major venue we can think of, certainly got himself a bunch of new fans here tonight as he entertained them with "Johnny B. Goode," Jerry Lee's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On," "Make The World Go Away," "Jailhouse Rock," "Help Me Make It Through The Night," "Let's All Go Down To The River" and was joined by Ginelle & Collette on "Kansas City." He also introduced Kenneth Cole who sang Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon" and Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes." Ike Richardson of Nevada, MO gave it his all, singing Marty Robbins' "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife."
Another of the evening's highlights saw the group go accoustical and play bluegrass-style an instrumental featuring Shawn's fiddle of "Bile That cabbage Down" and a singalong of "You Are My Sunshine" The cast joined Ken in singing "Amazing Grace" to close out the evening. (Below) Ken, Ginelle & Collette pose backstage
