In the past whenever we drove the long trek from our homebase in Merriam, KS to Laredo, MO and the Young Country Show, we always drove to Chillicothe via US 36, then took US 65 north to Chula and drove quite a distance on secondary roads to get there.  Using our new GPS tracking device today, we discovered another route and drove I-35 to Winston, MO and took US69/MO6 over to Trenton, MO and it was a very short distance into Laredo via E highway.  There must be some difference in mileage and driving conditions as we arrived a half-hour earlier than we had anticipated and used a lot less gas!

We always enjoy our visits here, and who wouldn't with the great family atmosphere and this band of incredible musicians.  The show started promply at 8 PM and Todd Young who plays bass and emcees the show introduced the Young Country Band: Clitus Meeker, lead guitar- Gene Wyant, rhythm guitar & vocals - Jamie Pauls, keyboards - Rick Phillips, drums - Ann Brock, vocals plus tonight's special guest Teri Henry, keyboards & vocals.  Gene Wyant's beautiful tenor voice started the evening off with Vince Gill's "Oklahoma Borderline," then it was George Jones' "Grand Tour," "Luckenbach, Texas," "Kaw-Liga and a great duet with Ann of "Oklahoma Swing."  Ann Brock showed her great vocal talents here tonight with Suzy Bogguss' "Someday Soon," the Jo Dee Messina hits "Fool Hearted Man" & "Bye Bye," "He's A Heartache,"  a George Jones song entitled "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" and a duet with Todd of the David Frazzel/Shelly West smash, "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma."  Todd himself is quite a vocalist as well as being the group's bass player.  He recalled during the show that the first song he sang from stage was Merle's "Daddy Frank" some 23 years ago.  Tonight he also sang "Small Town Saturday Night," Clint Black's "I'm Leaving Here A Better Man" and "Don't Be Angry" to the audience's delight.  Clitus Meeker amazes us everytime we hear him play that electric guitar.  Tonight, after playing "Nervous Breakdown," he picked and sang "Bony Maroni," "I'm My Own Grandpa" and Jerry Reed's "Lord Mr. Ford (What Have You Done?)" to thunderous applause.  Rick Phillips, the group's drummer, showcased his talent doing a great job on "Wipeout!"

Every time we head up this way for a show we think of Jamie Pauls who is an extraordinary musician who plays keyboard and happens to be blind. His is an extra special talent and it showed threefold here tonight with the addition of guest artist Teri Henry.  It proved to be quite a combo: twin keyboards and Teri's first-rate vocals.  First it was "Bill Bailey," each playing a chorus, setting the twin-keyboard theme, then it was Jamie with an instrumental of the Keith Whitley/Lorrie Morgan song "Till Each Tear Becomes A Rose" and Floyd Cramer's "Last Date."  Teri did a lovely job singing Linda Rhonstadt's "Blue Bayou" and "Tennessee Waltz," then it was Jamie with "Wheels" and Teri again with "Blue Moon Of Kentucky."  It was a wonderful concept and a lot of fun!  As an added surprise, Dean (Pappy) Allnut, 84 years young and a local music legend took the stage and treated everyone to "Truck Driving Man" and "Good Old Mountain Dew."  Jamie Pauls closed the show with "Just A Closer Walk With You."  (Below) top: l. Teri Henry r. Jamie Pauls bottom: Ann Brock & Todd Young harmonize on "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma"

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:17 PM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 23 September 2007 4:14 PM CDT

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H.A.B.O.T. or the Heart Of American Bluegrass & Old Time Music club meets every third Friday of the month from September thru April.  There is a regular stage show but always a lot of jamming in many of the adjacent rooms as well.  There is a snack and beverage bar, a dessert table, prize drawings and always lots and lots of pickers and singers around. 

President Byron Jones and the "house band" (Alan Prater (bass), Kenny Coates (banjo), Walt Weigand (guitar), Mike O'Roark (guitar) & Janice Wolebracht (fiddle)) opened the show with "How I'd Love To Be Alone With You" and "Gotta Travel On."  Kenny Coates had those banjo strings jumpin' with "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" while Mike O'Roark sang a couple of songs from his new gospel CD, "Road To Gloryland" & "Precious Memories," then a crowd favorite: "Old Shep."  After Walt Weigand treated the folks to "Grandfather's Clock," Alan Prater swapped his doghouse bass for a guitar and sang "Meet Me On The Mountain" and "Streets Of Gold" to the crowd's appreciation. We can't for the life of us remember where we've seen and heard Royce King before, but it was sure nice to hear his smooth voice again, singing "House Of Gold" and "Suppertime."  We appreciate Mary Edding's hard work at every H.A.B.O.T. meeting and we surely enjoyed hearing her sing "A Daisy A Day" and "Long Black Train" for the folks.  

The band portion of the program usually consists of three bands which perform several numbers each and tonight the first of these bands was called CC Bluegrass from Cass County, MO and consisted of five senior gentlemen (Jim Sears, fiddle; Bobby Glenn, banjo; Don Duvall, bass; Joe Wilkerson, guitar & Doug Mathis, mandolin) from that area who sure knew their old time music. Among their selections were: "Just Because," "Home Sweet Home," "Blue Bonnet Land," "Hell Among The Yearlings," "Tennessee," "Take This Hammer," "Love Of The Mountain," "John Henry," "Gold Rush," "Frankie & Johnny" and a great gospel medley: I Saw The Light/Somebody Touch Me/I'll Fly Away."  An absolutely great job!  The second group of folks to take the stage are called Clinton County Bluegrass, and right away we noticed a lot of familiar faces: none other than Deryle Cline (guitar), Jean Bartee (vocals), Monty Parker (mandolin & Dobro), Alan Prater (bass) & Jeremy Peiter (banjo & fiddle).  These folks are incredible musicians & singers and everyone enjoyed hearing "Hit Parade Of Love," "Close By," "Swing That Hammer," "Roving Gambler," "You'll Get No More," "Bluegrass Breakdown," "Till The End Of Time," "Mama's Hand," "Somebody Touched Me" and one of our favorite fiddle/mandolin tunes: "Back Up And Push."   The last group of the evening were the Gray Family from St. Joseph, MO and consisted of the dad, Lonnie (guitar), mother Vicki (bass) and daughter Shayla (fiddle & vocals).  Although the son couldn't be here tonight, we thought Shayla had a beautiful voice and we enjoyed hearing "Souling," "Moses On The Mountain," "Wayfaring Stranger," "Green Pastures," "Old Suzanna," "Rank Stranger," "Old Crossroads," "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand," & "Wild Moor" among others.  This was a great start to hopefully another great H.A.B.O.T. season.  See you in October!!  (Below) Royce King sings "Suppertime" with the "house band"

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:38 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 22 September 2007 1:15 PM CDT

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We met with Marty Smith for a quick bite at Pegah's Restaurant (75th & Nieman, Shawnee, KS) this afternoon and discussed over lunch his early years and how his musical career evolved.  "I was actually born in England," Marty told us, "But moved here to the States when I was about 3 years old, so I really don't remember much other than being an American."  I went to school in Arkansas, the Mountain View area and became familiar with the old-style of picking and singing as that was where Grandpa Jones was from and we attended the Ozark Mountain Festival there every year.  Although I grew up with this grassroots type of music, in high school I took up rock and roll and it was many years before I would return to it.  Finally, I was at a show in Branson with Mom and Dad and I made the remark, "I bet I could do just as good!"  They didn't think this was possible of course and I set out that very day to do so." 

"By this time we were living in the small town of Cherokee, KS (near Ft. Scott) and I played my first show there at the little theatre in the Spring of 2000.  I only knew two songs all the way through, I sang those and when they wanted more, I didn't have any more so had to beg off.  I worked on my repertoire after that and soon after met Jack Sanders who asked me to sing at the Ft. Scott Opry.  It was quite an adjustment, going from that small theatre in Cherokee to the big stage in Ft. Scott and all those people.  But the audience was so nice and enthusastic, that I began to feel right at home there and became a regular.  I also became a part of a honky tonk band, 'Lighting Creek'  that played in many of the bars and clubs around that area.  When that finally fizzled out, I moved to the Kansas City area and one Saturday evening attended Byron Jones' Northtown Opry.  I asked him during intermission how I might get an interview or audition and he said 'How about the second half?"  And that was my audition, I sang on the second half and I guess I did all right, the people seemed to take to me and I did a lot of work for Byron and still do for that matter. "  Today Marty plays most of the oprys in this area, among them Annie's Country Jubilee, Country Pickin Opry, Middle Creek, Nowata (OK) Country Jubilee, Ft. Scott, Old Town Jamboree and many others. 

"My mom sang a little church music," Marty told us, "But my dad was tone-deaf, couldn't carry a tune.  But he loved country music, even named me after Marty Robbins, his favorite entertainer.  My first CD was a tribute to Marty (is still available) and was very well received and my new CD is being mixed as we speak and should be available by Christmas (what a great X-mas present!)."   If you haven't heard Marty Smith sing Marty Robbins or Jim Reeves (and many others), you owe it to yourself to give this young man a listen.  We understand he is working on a new website www.martysmithcountry.com, which should be up and running before too long.  (Below) the uncomparable Marty Smith

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 2:23 PM CDT

Updated: Friday, 21 September 2007 3:58 PM CDT

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It was past 6:30 PM before we were able to get to the Burger King at 95th & Quivera in Lenexa, KS (or the BK Lounge as it is fondly known as) and the jam was already going strong, Larry Dean doing a bang-up job singing the Merle Haggard hit, "Big River." He later sang "I Am A Pilgram," Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee," "Boot Scootin' Boogie," Charlie Daniels' "Long-Haired Country Boy" and "That'll Be All Right," much to the audience's delight.  Art Covey played a great mandolin solo with the band on "Redwing," then sang a old Grandpa Jones tune, "Falling Leaves" and "Rebel Soldier."  Gordon Riley, Lou Moore and the rest of the band played some great instrumentals tonight, "Ghost Riders In The Sky" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" among them.  Mary Bichelmeyer (bass guitar) sang "Walk The Way The Wind Blows," "Satin Sheets" and Barbara Fairchild's "Teddy Bear Song" while husband Garry sang a couple of songs he has written, "Marie" and "Nodaway River."  It's always great to see Annie Little and tonight she sang "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind," "Somewhere Between" and "Jesus Got A Hold Of My Life" beautifully.

It was a neat surprise to see Marty Smith walk through the doors about 8:00 and head for the bandstand.  He got the audience worked up to say the least as he sang George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Marty Robbins' (his speciality) "Don't Worry 'Bout Me," "White Sport Coat" and Travis Tritt's T.R.O.U.B.L.E..  Great stuff! Amanda Brock has sung at many of the local oprys and shows in past years, but has been busy with family and work recently.  We were sure glad she was able to stop in tonight and treat us all to some great singing with Anne Murray's "Snowbird," "When You Say Nothing At All," "Before The Next Teardrop Falls," "Daddy's Hands" and Janie Fricke's "I'll Need Someone To Hold Me When I Cry."  The band closed with "Good Night Irene."  (Below) Amanda Brock with Larry Dean

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:19 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 19 September 2007 11:44 PM CDT

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Thanks to Annie & Terry Dunavin (& cast) for a most enjoyable evening.  Every one of the 419 seats (there will be 430 by the time construction is complete, Terry tells us) was filled as Annie welcomed everyone with a robust "Come On In, Sit Right Down And Make Yourself At Home!"  Annie, in spite of not feeling 100% (she was in the hospital Thursday) sounded great nonetheless, launching into a couple of Patsy Cline songs ("Crazy Dreams" & "Heartaches"), then later it was "Low And Lonely," "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Always" for a couple in the audience celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary (this was one of my Dad's favorite songs; he was a big band enthusiast). 

David George, band director & lead guitar who was recently named the Kansas State Flatpicking Champion, assumed the emcee duties here tonight as Jim Winters had the evening off.  David sang Ricky Skaggs' "Heartbroke," then did an awesome job playing "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" and later it was John Conley's "Backside Of Thirty" to the audience's delight.  Fred Uzzell not only plays his triple bar steel guitar beautifully, but is quite adept on the dobro and mandolin.  Tonight he treated everyone to "September In The Rain" and "Somewhere My Love."  Pretty Ronni Ward sang "Cheatin'," "How's The World Treating You," Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Down At The Twist And Shout" and "Long, Long Time" beautifully while husband Ted Ward, the group's bass player, showed his vocal skills with "Only The Lonely."  We always enjoy hearing drummer Steve Straub sing as well and tonight he did a dynamite job with Merle Haggard's "Farmer's Daughter" and Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool."  BTW: Country Music Legend Jack Greene himself will be appearing here at Annie's October 13, 2007 for two great shows - 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM, tickets $18 advance, $20 door.  For more information call 1-866-426-6437.  We look forward to hearing some great fiddle music from "Mighty" Marvin Bredemeier every time we get out here to Tonganoxie, and Marvin didn't disappoint us tonight as he did such a great job on "Orange Blossom Special" (whew!), "Rubber Dolly" as well as "Redwing" as he helped the band close out the first half.  We again saw our former schoolmate Glen Smith, who ran Glen's Opry at this location for many years and Barbara Ackley who publishes the Midwest Country News (the little newspaper which is given away at most oprys in the area), who came down all the way from Des Moines for her first visit.  She also has a website: www.midwestcountrynews.com for more information.  The July issue features a story about Sarah Getto.

Beth Hunter is not only a singer or a musician, for that matter.  She is an extraordinary entertainer to say the least.  We have seen her perform here at Annie's several times; even at her own show in Centerville, Iowa and we always leave thinking we can't wait until we get to do this all over again.  Her high energy, spontaneous delivery is certainly addictive to say the least.  Tonight it was Trisha Yearwood's "She's In Love With The Boy," "You Don't Know Me," "Bumming Around," Patsy Montana's "Cowboy's Sweetheart" (complete with some great yodeling), "Too Many Rivers" and she had the audience in stiches with "Don't Leave Your Records In The Sun" and her signature "Washing Machine Song" which was written by John Hartford of "Gentle On My Mind" fame.  Beth always performs at the New Year's show and we're looking forward to that. (Below)  the dynamic Beth Hunter - try her website: http://www.nightskyopry.com/

Sarah Getto was born blind and with a severe cleft palate.  Despite these severe handicaps, she taught herself to play the piano at age 3 and the fiddle at age 10!  Today, she tours throughout the mid and southwest with her parents Mike & Pat Getto, performing at various oprys and variety shows in the area. She is a prolific songwriter, records her own CDs, graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University this year and will begin teaching musical education in her home town of Norman, Oklahoma this coming Monday morning.  Additionally, the US government recently contacted Sarah, asking her to perform for some of the wounded troops who will be arriving back from bases in Iraq and Afghanistan!  And it's no wonder -  who wouldn't be motivated after seeing, hearing and meeting Sarah?  Tonight it was Alison Krause's "The Lucky One," her friend Reba McEntire's "Somebody Should Leave," "When I Fall In Love," "Today I Started Loving You Again," Anne Murray's "You Needed Me" and some great boogie woogie piano music.  The gospel section tonight featured Beth Hunter singing "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" and Sarah Getto's "God Bless America."  The band closed the show with "I'll Fly Away."  (Below)  Miss Sarah Getto "truly the voice of an angel" (she also has a website: http://www.sarahgetto.com/)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  Sarah Getto will be returning for a special Christmas show, December 22nd.  We have heard some of her wonderful Christmas and holiday music.  Don't miss it!

ALSO:  Next week (Sept. 22nd) at Annie's it will be the Bucky Fowler Family performing and in two weeks (Sept. 29th) the boys from Arkansas, Bart O'Neal and Johnny Hutson will be there.

For more information try Annie's website: http://www.anniescountryjubilee.com/

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:41 PM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 16 September 2007 6:37 PM CDT

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We have wanted for some time now to get back up to Ravenwood, MO and enjoy Bill & Vicki Walker's Barn Door Opry.  This is a fairly long trip for us, so we arranged to take off Saturday as well.  We left early, stopping in St. Joe for Miss Jean to buy me a new Stetson hat at the factory outlet in south St. Joe for my birthday (yesterday) and take advantage of that great shrimp special every Friday at Manchester's restaurant on  the Belt Highway.  It was a pleasant drive from St. Joe, up through Marysville and on to Ravenwood, with the cooler weather and the road resurfacing completed on US 71.  We arrived in plenty of time to visit briefly with Bill (emcee) & Vicki (keyboards, vocals), their son Tanner (drums, vocals), sisters Linda Adwell (saxophone) & Melanie Coulter (fiddle), Vance (steel & lead guitar, fiddle, vocals) & Lila (percussion, vocals) Monday and Jim (lead guitar) & Dona (electric bass) Wells. 

It's always a pleasure to see Vance & Lila Monday perform.  Vance plays just about every instrument imaginable and helped open the show fiddling "Back Up And Push" with the band, then it was the steel guitar ("Steel Guitar Rag" & "Night Sky," the latter written by Vance) and "Walking In Dreamland," a beautiful song which has a real special meaning to him; a duet of "Don't Call Me From A Honky Tonk" with Lila and "Letters Have No Arms" on the lead electric guitar.  Lila did a fine job as well with "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Right Or Wrong" and "On My Father's Side."  We enjoyed hearing Vicki as well, tickling those ivories and singing "Walk The Way The Wind Blows," "I'll Lose My Mind Before I'm Over You," "Once A Day" and Colin Raye's "Every Second."  "Gentleman" Jim Wells did a wonderful job picking "Wheels" & "A Fool Such As I" on his lead guitar as did Linda, playing crowd favorites "Wabash Cannonball" and "Tennessee Waltz" on her saxophone.  Melanie always amazes us with her knowledge of old fiddle tunes and tonight was no exception with "Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle," "Foot Prints In The Snow," "Ragtime Annie."  "Mississippi Sawyer" and "Bill Cheatum."  Tanner Walker showed his vocal talents on "Long Black Train" and Cash's "Hey Porter" as well as waking up the audience with his own version of "Wipeout!"

Tonight's special guests were Jim McGlasson & his wife Hazel (known as Sugar Bear to the entire civilized world).  They are a delightful couple whom we had met sometime ago at the Mosby (MO) Opry.  Jim, by the way, sounds so much like Ernest Tubb that it should be illegal.  (Just kidding)  Of course, he started with an ET classic, "Waltz Across Texas," followed by "Warm Red Wine," "Women Make A Fool Out Of Me," "I Missed You At Tootsie's Last Night," "Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello," Jimmy Rodger's "Waiting For A Train" and "I'll Call You When I'm Running Out Of Blues."  Sugar Bear proved to be a crowd pleaser as well with "Jackson Ain't A Very Big Town," "Sweet Thing," "You Must Have Been Out Of Your Mind" and Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels."

There were some terrific walk-ons as well tonight:  little Solon Rawson showed what a trooper he's going to be as he sang "Waltz Of The Angels" and 90-year young  Phyllis Oxley from Bedford, Iowa was on hand to sing "Have You Ever Been Lonely" and "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You" for the appreciative crowd.  Howard Miller, also from Bedford, IA contributed "Hello Darlin'," "Just Because," "Juke Box In My Mind" and "Bobby McGee."  The show closed with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."  (below) Jim & "Sugar Bear" McGlasson.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:06 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 15 September 2007 4:40 PM CDT

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We missed the guitar genius of Gordon Riley who was vacationing in Branson this week, but it was a super show tonight at the BK Lounge (Burger King, 95th & Quivera Rd., Lenexa, KS), nonetheless with the return this week of Larry Dean and Art Covey and the appearance of Hall of Fame harmonica player Don Spain.  We also got a thrill when we saw our friend Glen Smith, former owner & operator of Glen's Opry in Tonganoxie, KS (now Annie's Country Jubilee) and our classmate at Shawnee Mission High School in Merriam, KS., many years ago.

We arrived a few minutes late, as is our custom, and Larry Dean was doing a great job playing lead in Gordon's absence and singing Charlie Daniels' "Long Haired Country Boy," then asked the audience to help him remember the events of 9/11/01 by singing "America The Beautiful."  He shared with everyone his rememberances and asked us all to remember where we were and what we happened to be doing when we learned of the horrific events that took place on that fateful day.  Later, it was "I Believe," Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin Boogie," the plaintive "Some Old Day," Chuck Berry's "Nadine," "God Must Be A Cowboy," Hag's "I Had A Beautiful Time" and a Rock & Roll medley of Elvis/Jerry Lee Lewis songs.  Garry Bichelmeyer, in addition to playing rhythm guitar and banjo and writing some terrific songs is also quite an accomplished vocalist himself, tonight singing the Waylon/Jesse classic "Storms Never Last," "Catch A Falling Star," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Blues Stay Away From Me," "Rocky Top" and "Kansas City."  Wife Mary Bichelmeyer, the group's bass player sang "Your Cheating Heart," "Walk The Way The Wind Blows" and "There He Goes" for the appreciative audience.  Lou Moore was looking and sounding good behind those drums tonight and it's always neat to see and hear little Sandy Barnett, who sang "Don't Be Angry," Jimmy Dickens' "I'm Little But I'm Loud," "Swingin Doors" and "Truck Driving Man."

They say you don't really appreciate something until it's gone and we've sure missed the beautiful mandolin playing and singing of Art Covey and it was so nice to have him return tonight.  Art, to the crowd's delight played "Golden Slippers," sang "Falling Leaves" and "Royal Telephone," then joined Don Spain and the band on "Red Wing," "Love Letters In The Sand" and "Black Mountain Rag."  And speaking of Don Spain, congratulatons are in order as Don was inducted into the Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame, September 1st in Missouri Valley, Iowa.  An interesting article in the Leavenworth (Don lives there) Times notes that Don is one of very few harp or harmonica players who is accomplished in playing the cross harp or the ability to bend the reeds inside the harmonica and create distinctive sounds that a normal player couldn't produce.  There are literally only a handful of players in the world who do this well.  If you ever have an opportunity to hear Don play, you will appreciate the difference, it is just awesome!  Don has several CDs available and a website: www.donspain.com.  Just before leaving, he played a terrific version of "Folsom Prison Blues." (Below) top: l. Don Spain r. Sandy Barnett bottom: l. Art Covey r. Glen Smith

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 10:46 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 12 September 2007 12:22 PM CDT

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The little theatre on the square in Pleasant Hill, MO, which houses the Big Creek Country Show was filled to near capacity tonight in anticipation of a spectactular show and we must say it was all of that.  Larry Ellis' fiddle and the band played "Rock Creek Reel" as the curtains opened and soon afterward host & emcee Dennis Dittemore welcomed everyone, singing "Tennessee River" and the Ronnie Milsap classic "It Was Almost Like A Song." 

Debbie Martin (or Debbie Erikson as she is known to KFKF listeners) showed her exceptional vocal talents singing "If You Ain't Busy Tonight," Lori Morgan's "I Guess You Had To Be There" and later in the show "My Savior Lives."  Phil Hilton thrilled the crowd with his piano mastery, playing "Little Waltz in C" and a tribute to the late, great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who passed away just recently.  Mike Campbell got everyone's feet shuffling as he shared a couple of stories and played "Foggy Mountain Special" & "Devil's Dream" on the five-string banjo while the group's great lead guitarist, Jim Lower played and sang "Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills' Music."  Jim Doney brought his electric bass front & center and sang "Born To Boogie" for his son who was in the audience and celebrating his 10th birthday, while Kevin Hoff did a fine job behind the drums tonight.

We have heard Lacy Ludwig sing a couple of times before, but are always amazed at her range and God-given abilities.  Tonight she sang Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden," "I Can't Stop Loving You," Lee Ann Rimes' "Blue" and returned the second half with "Bye, Bye Baby, Bye, Bye" and "You Light Up My Life."  Also, she announced that she had gotten married since her last appearance and her last name was now Wolff.  We thought Lacy Ludwig-Wolff was super and we'd like to see and hear more of her.  It's always a pleasure seeing and hearing Jack Wicker perform.  Whether it's his singing or those hot piano runs, he's a favorite wherever he appears.  Tonight he got the joint jumpin' with "Boogie Woogie Man From Tennessee," then it was "American Trilogy," "I Know A Man Who Can," Fats Domino's "Blue Berry Hill" and "Could You Walk A Mile In That Man's Shoes."  Jack surprised everyone as he introduced his beautiful daughter, Rachael who sang "Loving You' much to everyone's delight.  Ron Piper, who is a frequent guest and sits in with the band on occasion was in the audience tonight and came on stage to sing a favorite Merle Haggard tune, "If We're Not Back In Love By Monday," to a big ovation.  Tonight's extra special guest was Cajun fiddler & Branson, MO resident Louis W. Darby who plays at the Circle B Ranch on Hwy. 76 there in Branson regularly.  Louis proved to be not only a great fiddler, but an exceptionally talented entertainer with humorous antedotes and great singing to boot.  First it was "Jambayala," then Jolie Blonde (the Cajun national anthem according to Louis) and "Arkansas Traveler," a twin fiddle duet with Larry Ellis.  After Dennis, Debbie & David Taylor sang the great gospel number "Thanks To Calvary," Louis closed the show with "Big Mamou," "Danny Boy" and "Golden Slippers."  (Below) Louis W. Darby & Larry Ellis play twin fiddles on "Golden Slippers."

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:20 PM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 9 September 2007 2:11 PM CDT

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We had a rough Labor Day weekend with Miss Jean being admitted to the hospital, having heart rhythm problems.  We were just getting ready to head out for Leland & Carol Jones' Country Pickin Opry in Richmond, MO when the trouble arose.  Good news is that she is stable for now and just needs to slow down and take her medication religiously and let nature take it's course.  All of your calls and well wishes are very much appreciated.

Although we got a really late start and didn't get to the BK until after 7PM, we arrived in time to hear some really great music and see some really special guests.  Mary Bichelmeyer was singing a couple of her favorites, "Crazy Arms" and "Bill Bailey" as we got ourselves seated and husband Garry followed with "Catch A Falling Star," "Long Black Train" and Johnny Russell's "Catfish John."  Larry Dean was out of town tonight and it was great to see Scott Lane filling in.  Everyone thought he did a magnificent job singing "Lukenbach, Texas" and "Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold."  Bill Clark sang, played rhythm guitar and harmonica and got a big hand from the crowd for his numbers, "You're Not Mine Anymore" and "Just Because"  while Annie Little did a bang up job singing "That's How Much I Love You" and Patsy Cline's "I Love Your Automobile."  Larry Keeler was aboard tonight with "Old 97" and "Folsom Prison Blues," while our little friend Sandy Barnett (who told us she really enjoyed making so many new friends in Cameron this past Friday night) entertained the big crowd with "Truck Drivin Man" and "Don't Be Angry With Me Darlin'" and Gordon Riley, Lou Moore and the rest of the band played some great instrumentals including "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "Under The Double Nickel."

The big surprise of the evening was the appearance of Marty Smith, who has performed at practically every opry we have ever heard of.  Marty held the audience spellbound as he always does as he sang Marty Robbins' "You Got Me Singing The Blues," Merle's "Mama Tried," Jim Reeves' "He'll Have To Go," "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Heartaches By The Number," "This Time You Gave Me A Mountain" and "Jambalaya."  We had a chance to talk with Marty a little after the show and he told us he had just completed a brand new CD which will contain hits from many artists as well as some original material.  We will be letting everyone know when it is officially released and it will be available wherever Marty performs...stay tuned.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:42 PM CDT

Updated: Friday, 7 September 2007 11:46 AM CDT

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We got a late start this Friday night and got caught up in a little Labor Day Weekend traffic heading north with our friend Sandy Barnett along.  We had been telling Sandy about this great little show for some time and finally talked her into coming along and bringing her guitar!  The show had just started as we arrived, the dance floor was full and the group's drummer Lisa Marie Bennett was doing a fine job singing "Jones On The Jukebox."  She later sang the Patsy Cline classic "Walking After Midnight," "That's The Way Love Goes," and for the waterfall dance, "Don't Be Angry."  Billy Dean Bennett, Lisa's husband and the group's lead guitar and fiddler, displayed his vocal talents on "All For The Love Of Sunshine," Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Brand New Girl Friend," "Mansion On The Hill" and did an absolutely fabulous job fiddling "Black Mountain Rag."  We've about worn out our friend Wayne Hoover's CD we play it so much; we love to hear that man sing!  Tonight it was "I Just Came To Get My Baby Outta Here," "Hey Good Lookin'," "Why Don't Love Just Go Away When It's All Gone," Eddie Arnold's "Cattle Call," "Charlie's Shoes" (a cut from Wayne's CD), "If I Were You I'd Fall In Love With Me" and Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'."  Our pal Wayne Leslie, the group's bass player was in fine voice himself tonight singing "My Heart Won't Let My Love For You Change," "Welcome To My World," "Wish You Would Leave Me Alone," "Tiny Bubbles" and "Soft Rain."  Bill Rankin's steel guitar work is always a crowd favorite and tonight he played "We Haven't Got Very Far To Go," "My Window Faces The South" and "Danny Boy" beautifully. 

Tonight's walk-ons included Dorothy Pigsley and Judy Parkinson from Maysville, MO who sure sounded good singing "Just Because" and Dorothy returned the second half with "If I Could See The World Through The Eyes Of A Child" and "I Forgot To Remember To Forget Her," friends Elmer Clark ("Blue Bird" & "White Sport Coat") and Charlie Curtis ("Walk Thru This World With Me" & "Farewell Party").  Art Damgar gave it his all singing "Room Full Of Roses" & George Morgan's "Candy Kisses" while little Sandy Barnett showed she packs a lot of punch, singing Little Jimmy Dickens' "I'm Little But I'm Loud" and "Truck Drivin' Man" to the delight of the crowd.  Wayne Hoover closed the show with "11 Months & 29 Days."  (Below) Sandy Barnett sings "I'm Little But I'm Loud" with Wayne Hoover & the Countrysiders  REMINDER: These folks have a Sunday show as well.  For more information on schedules, the band, Countryside Hall, directions or Wayne's CD, log on to www.wayne-hoover.com

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:00 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 3 September 2007 8:00 PM CDT

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