Formed in 1969, the Kendalls, consisting of father Royce Kendall and daughter Jeannie Kendall, certainly come to mind when one recalls the top country duos of the 1970's, 80's and 90's. Responsible for more than 30 singles on the Billboard country singles charts, they had 3 #1 hits and seven more Top Ten hits. Although Jeannie understandably took some time off after Royce died from a stroke in 1998, she now continues to tour with husband Mack Watkins, who has worked with several famous rock & roll as well as country artists and helps to provide that sweet harmony that the Kendalls were always noted for. Both Jeannie and her husband both remarked several times what a wonderful job the Middle Creek Band did all night long, not only backing them, but providing a highly entertaining first half as well. However, tonight's show would start in a much different fashion than normal.
Direct from Branson, MO, where he is the comedic highlight of the Mo Bandy Show, comedian extraordinaire Harley Worthit, garish costumes and all greeted everyone with some pearls of wisdom: "I feel pretty good right now..I took my in-laws to the airport this morning. Their plane leaves Tuesday." "My wife's pretty sore at me for opening the car door for her. We were only going about 75 MPH at the time!" "Last Christmas my wife wanted something with diamonds in it. So I gave her a deck of cards." "A normal marriage proposal starts out something like this: 'Would you marry me?" However, not in Arkansas. A marriage proposal there usually starts out 'You're What?" Harley has a brand-new CD out - it's called "You Can't Get This Stupid Overnight." It contains his big hit "It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew My Rear End Out All Day!"
Elijah Chastain and the Middle Creek Band including drummer Brad Meadows, began tonight's musical journey with him singing a Ricky Skaggs' favorite "Hiway 40 Blues" followed by Waylon Jennings' "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line." Close behind was Jodi Austin, the group's fine keyboard player and vocalist who sang Crystal Gayle's "I'd Do It All Over Again" and played a great instrumental of "Hymne" before bass guitarist Carl Butler sang the fast-paced Larry Gatlin tune, "Ode To The Road" and Buck Owens' "A-11." Carl then did a complete change of pace, picking up an acoustical guitar and joining fiddler Thomas McGregor on a simply beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Songstress Barbara Walker got a big ovation as she sang Barbara Mandrell's "You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Anytime" and crowd-favorite Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight," then gave way to Kansas Steel Guitar Hall Of Famer Bobby DeMoss who thrilled the crowd with the "Steel Guitar Rag." Elijah returned to pay special homage to the area's veterans in recogination of the just-past Veteran's Day. First was Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA," then an extra-special medley consisting of various service themes, patrotic songs and featuring some awesome guitar runs that were just unbelievabe. Thomas McGregor closed the first half with his own interpretation of probably the best-known fiddle tune of all time, "The Orange Blossom Special."
After a short break, Harley introduced Jeannie Kendall and husband Mack. Jeannie explained that tonight's bill of fare would include many of the Kendall's big hits and some of their favorite traditional country songs of yesterday, beginning with 1984's number #1 hit "Thank God For The Radio," followed by "I'm Already Blue," "If You're Waitin' On Me, You're Backing Up," "The Pittsburg Stealers," "Sweet Desire" and "Smokin' Lonesome." A Louvin Bros. classic, "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," was next, followed by "Your Picture Your Pillow & Me," a favorite gospel number, "Let's All Go Down To The River" and the Osmonds' "I'm Leaving It All Up To You." Jeannie brought some good advice along with her in the form of "Make A Dance Out Of Everything You Do" and Webb Pierce's "Don't Let Me Cross Over," Hank Thompson's "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" and another Louvin Bros. classic, "My Baby's Gone" were close behind. Jeannie's pure, perfect, powerful soprano voice was never more evident than when she sang Don Gibson's "Blue Blue Day" and another great gospel number, "How Great Thou Art." Next up was a Rhonda Vincent number "Timeless True Love" and then the song that catapulted the duo to instant stardom, 1978's Grammy Award winner, "Heaven's Just A Sin Away!" The big audience gave their instant approval and endorsement, giving the Kendalls a huge hand as they left the stage. Many of them stayed around after to show to buy CD's. get autographs signed or just visit with this affable couple. We were able to take a few minutes to become acquainted and found them to be very laid back and easy-going. If you have an opportunity to see and hear this duo perform, we suggest you do so. The Kendalls are royal entertainment indeed. And be sure to check the Middle Creek website: http://www.rutladeroutpost.com/opry.htm. They have a great show every Saturday night during the season. (Below) top -Jeannie Kendall and husband Mack Watkins bottom_ Comedian Harley Worthit
