WHAT A MAGNIFICENT DAY FOR A DELICIOUS DINNER & A WONDERFUL GOSPEL SHOW AT ANNIE'S COUNTRY JUBILEE

The weather was simply beautiful as we stepped out of John & Mary Pettersch's car, who kindly offered to drive us to the festivities at Annie's today and entered the theatre lobby to find personnel from Cutter's BBQ, which is located in Eudora, KS, who catered the affair, and others busily setting up tables & chairs for the afternoon's sit-down dinner. Featuring melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket, fresh sliced turkey, delicious slow-cooked baked beans, potato salad and some of the best cole slaw we have ever sampled, this was all capped off with glasses of cold ice tea or punch and was throughly enjoyed by everyone that we talked to. 

After a bit when everyone had an opportunity to let their food settle a bit and were joined in the auditorium by those who missed out on that great meal and chose to see only the show itself, probably due to church or other commitments, the curtains parted and David George, Annie's musical director and lead guitarist stepped forward to welcome the big crowd of around 300 people singing the old Charles H. Gabriel hymn "Send The Light."  David was to return a bit later with the Hank Williams classic "Dust On The Bible" and a number most recently recorded by Rhonda Vincent, "A Heart That Will Never Break Again."  Annie Dunavin herself, greeted everyone with an old gospel number written by a Choctaw Indian by the name of Wallis Willis around 1862 entitled "Swing Low (Sweet Chariot) and Lee Ann Womack's "Get Up In Jesus' Name."  A bit later it was Dottie Rambo's "Sheltered In The Arms Of God" and a phenominal job of Patsy Cline's "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."  Pretty Ronni Ward was next to take over the vocal duties and she certainly picked some great numbers, beginning with Detrick Haddon's "Count Your Blessings," the Isaac's "If That Don't Make You Wanna Go" and with David and husband Ted Ward (also the band's great bass guitarist) providing the harmony, Johnny Cash's "I Saw A Man."  Ronni returned the second half to sing two of her beautiful self-written gospel numbers "Walk On The Water" and "Pray" before an awe-inspiring performance of "Blessed Assurance," an old composition recorded by Alan Jackson and many, many others. Annie's emcee and possessor of one of this area's finest male voices, Jim Winters got a big hand as he launched into Josh Turner's "Long Black Train," Clay Walker's "Chain Of Love" and a bit later the Oak Ridge Boys' "Baptism Of Jesse Taylor" and CCR's "Man Walking On The Water."  Great stuff, Jim!

"Fiddlin'" Marvin Bredemeier opened the second half of today's show, stepping to the mike and singing the old gospel number "I Saw The Light."  We have heard Marv sing many times at the BK Lounge, but this was the first time we've heard him on the big stage and we thought he did a wonderful job as did our friend Fred Uzzell who played both his Remington triple-deck steel guitar and Dobro here this afternoon, adding such style and grace to each performance. We have always enjoyed listening to gospel quartets since we can remember, marveling in their close harmony and the way their voices blend.  Fortunately we were blessed to have one of the finest gospel quartets around this afternoon, the ACJQ (Annie's Country Jubilee Quartet) which consists of David George, Ted Ward, Jim Winters & drummer Steve Straub. Beginning with the Statler's "Feeling Fine" it was a crowd favorite, "The Lighthouse" followed by a number made popular by the Cathedrals, "Thanks To Calvary" and Squire Parson's "Buelahland."  Steve Staub grew up around gospel music, touring with his family throughout the United States, performing at various revivals, tent shows, festivals, churches and the like.  Today, he transmitted love and joy as he sang a solo of Christy Lane's "One Day At A Time."  At one point in tonight's festivities, David George related that when I first arrived here this afternoon, I jokingly inquired if they were going to play my favorite gospel tune.  When I told him what it was, he said he had never heard it and I merely winked and told him I was just kidding, not to worry about it.  Unbeknowst to me, David asked the entire band if they knew the song and Steve said he knew a little of it but couldn't remember all the words.  Believe it or not, they took the time to look it up on the Internet, print the lyrics and we suspect took a look at U Tube to listen to the melody and Steve Staub and this marvelous band played and sang this beautiful gospel number written by Stuart Hamblin and recorded many years ago by Tennessee Ernie Ford.  We thought we might share some of the lyrics of "It Is No Secret" with you.... 

The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through.

Someone slipped and fell.  Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew

But do not be disheartened, for I have news for you.

It is no secret, what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret, what God can do

 

There is no night for in His light you never walk alone

Always feel at home, wherever you may roam

There is no power can conquer you when God is on your side.

Take Him at His promise, don't run away and hide

 

It is no secret, what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret, what God can do……

 

Thanks David, Steve and all for your kindness and thoughtfulness.  It meant a lot to me.

Tonight's special guest artist may only rise 47 in. from the ground, but Duke Mason's talents, abilities and charisma are piled higher than man can reach.  Although known far and wide for his Elvis impersonations, Duke confided in us that he had also grown up in a family that sang spiritual music and his first love had always been gospel.  Duke began his set today with the spiritual "By And By" followed by Johnny Cash's "I Was There When It Happened," a Albert E. Brumley number recorded by Marty Stuart, "Give Me Just A Little More Time" and a couple of great Elvis gospel numbers "Milky White Ways" and "The Chapel."  Returning the second half, it was more Elvis gospel with "Lead Me On Lord," a tune written by Larry Gatlin and recorded by Elvis, "Help Me," Andre' Crouch's "Through It All" and after tumultous applause brought him back, an encore of Rosemary Clooney's "This Old House."  Today's other special guest artist is also well-known to opry goers in this area.  Jack Wicker, who hails from the Richmond, MO area and whose keyboard talents and awesome vocals are legendary as much for his gospel performances as those of a more conventional vein.  We don't believe we've ever met anyone who enjoyed singing gospel more than Jack does.  Jack began with one of the greatest gospel numbers ever, "I'll Fly Away" followed by T. Graham Brown's "Could You Help Me Turn The Wine Back Into Water," George Jones' "I Know A Man Who Can" and after a standing ovation, an encore of Hovie Lister's "Goodby World Goodbye."  Jack returned later with the Statler's "Turn Your Radio On," Jack & Audrey Williams' "Could You Walk A Mile In That Man's Shoes" and just an amazing job of "How Great Thou Art."  Annie Dunavin closed this tremendous gospel presentation singing "Amazing Grace" to the melody of "House Of The Rising Sun."  We must tell you that we left tonight completely and emotionally drained.....and LOVING every minute of it.  (Below)   top - Today's guest artists -- (l.) Duke Mason and (r.) Jack Wicker  bottom - We pose with the gang for a quick pic (l. to r.) Annie Dunavin, David George, Ronni Ward, Steve Straub, Ted Ward, myself, Miss Jean, Fred Uzzell, Jim Winters & Marvin Bredemeier