Tonight it was back up north of the river to Dirks where the late Mike O'Roark's band, the Nitty Gritty Dirks Band, still plays every Wednesday night. As the second part of the evening is always "open mike" the gang from the BK Lounge or Stranger Creek, as they call themselves, joined other gifted musicians from the area to make this a truly memorial evening. Roger Brough, accompanied by son Chris Brough on lead guitar, C. J. Sanders on bass and Donn Weisser on drums, began the evening's festivities with "Why Don't You Love Me," "Blow Up Your Tepee," Tom T. Hall's "Watermelon Wine" & "Pamela Brown," "Old 97," and Hank Thompson's "6 Pack To Go." C. J. gave us an idea of his vocal abilities as he sang the smooth "Scotch & Soda," and "Homegrown Tomatoes," then Roger returned with "Roustabout," Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down," "Way Down Town," "My Window Faces The South," Rodney Crowell's "She Keeps My Feet On The Ground," "Mama Tried To Tell Me" and joined by wife Sondra Brough on vocals and Alan White on flute, "The Weight." This band really rocks!!
When it became time for Stranger Creek to perform, Larry Dean stepped front and center to sing Merle Haggard's "Ramblin' Fever" before Garry & Mary Bichelmeyer did a great duet of Juice Newton's "Black Coffee." Then it was Garry with his original songs, the whimiscal "I'm So Lonesome In The Saddle Since My Horse Died" and "Mike's Guitar," a song he wrote and recently recorded about the late Mike O'Roark who performed here at Dirks for so many years, from the perspective of his guitar. David Purcell, who had been playing drums, stepped front and center to sing a couple of Willie-sound alikes, "Remember Me" and "On The Road Again" along with "A Once In A Lifetime Thing." Gordon Riley played an awesome solo of "Buckaroo" before Larry Dean closed the set with Ricky Skaggs' "Hiway 40 Blues."
Alan White is a local musician who also writes a lot of original material and has supported the Wednesday night session here at Dirks for many years now. Tonight he picked and sang "Runaway Train," "Another Mistake" and accompanied by Jennifer O'Brien & Sondra Brough, "Time Flies" and "Mid Life Crisis Mobile," before giving way to "Grocery" Jim Phillilpie, who got his nickname from the Price Chopper he manages in Leavenworth, KS. Jim began his set with "Here's To The Workin' Man" and followed it with "Lincoln Duncan Is My Name," "Farewell To The Gold" and "Love Is The Cross To Bear."
Whether you call it a mouth harp, harmonica or wind organ, Don Spain is the absolute master of it. The crowd here certainly knew it and gave him a huge ovation as he played, accompanied by Roger & the band, "Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms," "Rocky Road Blues, Bob Wills' "Milk Cow Blues," "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You" and "Dear Old Dixie." It's so great to see Kathy Lynn out and about again and tonight she did a terrific job singing Hank Sr.'s "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," Bobby Gentry's "Tallahatachie Bridge" and shades of the Blues Brothers -- "Sweet Home Chicago." As a reminder, Kathy Lynn & David Purcell will be appearing at Annie's Country Jubilee in early June. Don't want to miss that one!
Thanks to everyone who made this such an exciting evening here at Dirks. The food was outstanding and the service was the best -- especially with Lisa, the world's greatest waitress!! (Below) top - Stranger Creek middle - Don Spain bottom - Kathy Lynn
