As usual, we arrived at the Rutlader complex where the Middle Creek Theatre is located, early this evening to enjoy their wonderful snack bar and dining facilities. After a short visit with Bill & Brenda Harris who own and operate this vast complex, we found our way to our seats shortly before the band took the stage. We were delighted to see Thomas McGregor, the newest member of the band, playing fiddle. We remember him from Leland Jones' Country Pickin' Opry in Richmond, MO when he was a child prodigy.
Musical director, lead guitarist and emcee Elijah Chastain welcomed everyone to tonight's festivities and explained that instead of the normal 2 set show, tonight's show would be comprised of three sets with two intermissions, the Middle Creek band playing the first and third sets and the Allen Frizzell Show handling the second one. Elijah kicked things off with a Ricky Skaggs tune "Hummingbird," then it was the beautiful voice of Barbara Walker with Patty Loveless' "Timber!" and the old Ray Price standard "I Wish That I Could Fall In Love Today." Jodi Austin, the group's super keyboard player showed her vocal abilities off with Barbara Mandrel's "My Baby's Coming Home" and Dottie West's "Country Sunshine." Andy Lindburg closed out the first set with "Lord I Thank You."
Allen Frizzell is often referred to as "the other brother" because of the monstrous successes of older brothers Lefty, who, beginning in the 1950's with "Long Black Veil" and others, continued through the 1960's with hits such as "Saginaw Michigan" and into the 70's ("If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time") before his untimely death at the age of 47 in 1975 and David Frizzell whose 1981's duet with Shelly West of "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" was included in the Clint Eastwood film "Any Which Way You Can" and 1982's solo of "I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home," which was also a chart topper. But make no mistake about it, Allen Frizzell grew up around the music business and is a fantastic songwriter (1983's Gene Watson mega hit "You're Out Doin' What I'm Home Doin' Without" which was featured on three of Gene's CD's, a phenominal guitar player and a top-notch vocalist (he once opened for Dottie West and recorded on Sound Factory, CMS, Abc Dot, MCA & Sony and has appeared on several major TV shows), in his own right. With son Cagney manning the pre-recorded background music and mandolin, Allen greeted the audience with a Merle Haggard favorite "Working Man Blues" followed by brother Lefty's "Always Late," "Saginaw Michigan," "She's Gone Gone Gone" followed closely by a#1 song of Lefty's, written by Jimmie Rodgers -"Travelin Blues" and the unforgettable "I Never Go Around Mirrors." These days Allen enjoys success in a different genre' of music - Christian Country and he sang two of his hits which have topped the Christian Country Charts - "A Man Of His Word" and "I'm Gonna Live For Jesus," with a third due to hit that coveted spot next month ("Until Then").
After a short pause, the Middle Creek band returned and it was steel player Bobby DeMoss with a beautiful solo of "I Can See Clearly Now" with drummer Brad Meadows close behind, singing "Mercury Blues" and Roger Miller's "Dang Me." (Brad's mother recently passed away and we know you will want to send your thoughts and prayers out to Brad and his family.) Carl Butler returned with a real tongue twister "Ode To The Road" and a smooth job singing Glen Campbell's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" as did Barbara Walker with "Bill Bailey" and Roy Orbison's "Crying." Jodi Austin polished those ivories as she sang "Rocky Top" and played a great instrumental of Floyd Cramer's "Last Date." Andy Lindberg showed his terrific vocal talents singing Ricky Van Shelton's "I Cried My Last Tear For You" and the Gaither's "Day Star Shine Down On Me." Thomas McGregor put bow to fiddle and did an awesome version of "Amazing Grace" before Elijah Chastain closed out this great evening with a reminder of the tragic events of 9/11 which occurred just nine years ago this very date by singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA." (Below) Allen Frizzell with Rev. Carl Garrett who is the pastor of the Cowboy Church which has services every Tuesday night. The church is also part of the Rutlader complex, just a few doors south of the theatre.
