Despite the change to the first Friday of the month instead of the second, a big crowd of spectators and jammers alike filled the big auditorium at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Independence where the Kansas City Area Bluegrass Music Club meets, in anticipation of a great evening of acoustical bluegrass entertainment.  Byron Jones who will be hosting the 2nd Annual Lathrop Bluegrass Festival this July 9, 10 & 11 and serves as President of the club and his group started the festivities this evening.  With granddaughter Krista Jones on vocals, Jim Downs on mandolin, Lem Peeples on bass, Jim McGreevy on banjo and Byron on guitar & vocals played some great bluegrass and classic country with a bluegrass treatment.   Krista began the set with Rhonda Vincent's "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," Connie Smith's "I'll Come Runnin," "What Part Of No Don't You Understand?" Loretta's "Blue Kentucky Girl" and a duet with Grandpa Byron of "Red River Valley."  Jim Downs did a bang up job on "I Like That Old Time Worship Of The Lord," as did Jim McGreevy picking "Shuckin The Corn" and singing & picking the Jimmy Martin classic "Sunny Side Of The Mountain."  Krista closed the set with "When The Saints Go Marching In."  FYI --  We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Byron, who celebrated his 76th yesterday!

Next were the Village Cloggers with the Missouri Town Band who have performed their heritage music and historical dances at various histoical sites and events throughout the Midwest.  The band featured Dale Sullivan on fiddle, Jim Arms on guitar, Harvey Heidlerieder on bass and Bobby Glenn on banjo and the Village Dancers included Mickie Smith, Lynn Youngblood, Grady Manus, Elaine Williams, Alicia Burch, Jo Ann Willey and Joe Potters while Bob Burch emceed the set.  The dancers performed on an every-other-song basis and were so much fun to watch.  Among the great old time tunes these folks played were: "Clarinet Polka," "Ragtime Annie," "I Don't Love Nobody," "Buffalo Gals," "High Country," "Cotton Eyed Joe," "I Wish I Had A Nickel For Every Tear You Shed Last Night," "Liza Lynn Waltz," "8th Of January," "Laughing Boy," "Down By The Riverside" and "Under The Double Eagle."

We always look forward to seeing this last group of the evening, no matter where they perform.....they're not only great performers, but their interaction and stage presence make them so much fun to watch.s  The Hootin' Annies consist of Steph Hope on fiddle, Karla Campell - bass, Mary Bliefnick - banjo, Patti Nance - dobro & Cynthia McKechnie - guitar and all are accomplished vocalists.  Tonight it was a great mixture of old favorites and new, original material and every number drew loads of applause.  Beginning with "Good N Greasy," "Cabin Home On The Hill," "Waterbound" and "We Shall Rise," Steph was featured on a beautiful song she wrote entitled "Waltzing In The Kitchen."  After "Winter's Come & Gone," "Pickaway," "Working Girl Blues" and "No Hiding Place Down Here," Cynthia was featured on "He Left Me Standing," Karla on her signature song, "MmmmMotor Vehicle," and Patti on "Nobody's Business."  Other featured tunes were:"Shotgun" and the theme from "Petticoat Junction."

FYI - There will be another meeting and show on May 8th @ 7:30 PM  Thanks to all the folks who do so much to make these events possible and since we couldn't decide which photos to use for tonight's feature, we are publishing photos of all three acts:  (Below) top - Byron Jones & Friends - middle - The Village Cloggers & The Missouri Town Band - bottom - The Hootin' Annies

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:41 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 4 April 2009 10:16 AM CDT

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We actually arrived a little earlier than usual at the BK tonight and the place was packed nevertheless as more and more folks are learning about the opportunity to grab a little supper and enjoy an evening of great classic country music played by some top-notch musicians.  We were also happy to see Jerry & Carol Smith from Weatherby Lake were able to make it down for a show.  Jerry & Carol are Wednesday night regulars at Dirk's Bar & Grille, located near I-29 & Barry Rd. in the Northland, where  the late Mike O'Roark played for so many years. 

Emcee Larry Dean kicked the evening off singing Merle Haggard's "Ramblin Fever" and the late Dan Seals' "God Must Be A Cowboy."  Later he returned with Gene Vincent's "Bebop A Lula," "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and  "Let's Fall To Pieces Together."  David Purcell, whose show at Annie's last weekend was snowed out and rescheduled for June 6th, was up next and sounded marvelous singing Willie Nelson's "Remember Me," Gary Bichelmeyer's "Northern Star," "On The Road Again," "Tennessee Bird Walk" and "It's Not Love, But It's Not Bad."  Gordon Riley with John Malone on drums and the rest of the band sounded marvelous playing "Buckaroo," "Bells Of St. Mary," "Birth Of The Blues" and "Old Country Love In My Heart" (which featured Gordon's vocal work as well!).  "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier who plays fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee joined the group again tonight and treated the crowd to some great fiddling on "Jersey Bounce," "San Antonio Rose," "Ragtime Annie" (wonder who requested that? <wink>) and a vocal on Hank Williams' "Move It On Over."

Mary Bichelmeyer sure sounded good tonight as she sang Patsy's "Walkin After Midnight," "Don't Tell Me What To Do," "Sentimental Old You" (our request) and "Walk The Way The Wind Blows."  Husband Garry Bichelmeyer did a great duet with Larry Dean of the Soggy Bottom Boys' "I'm In The Jailhouse Now" then it was "Marie," "Catch A Falling Star" and of course, the original song he sang at Dirk's last Wednesday, "Mike's Guitar."  Annie Little also sang a Garry Bichelmeyer tonight, "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind" before closing the evening with "Just In Case You Change Your Mind" and "A Very Special Grace."  (Below) (l.) Carol and (r.) Jerry Smith enjoying the evening at the B.K. Lounge

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:46 PM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 4 April 2009 1:52 AM CDT

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We just received an e-mail from Collette Pittman which informs us that the Ft. Scott Jamboree will be opening it's doors this Saturday, April 4th at 7:30 PM.  I wish we could make it down, but we have already made arrangements to be elsewhere and it looks as if April 18th will be our earliest opportunity.  Hope that many of you will be able to make it to the opening and help support not only the Ft. Scott Jamboree, but country music in general.  Collette's husband Shawn is one of the best fiddle players these old ears have ever heard and we're sure looking forward to hearing him play again in the near future!

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 3:07 PM CDT

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THIS WEEKEND'S SHOWS

WERE CANCELLED DUE TO

WEATHER

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 3:41 PM CDT

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As we have reported several times on this blog, our friend Garry Bichelmeyer, who is a prolific songwriter, recently wrote a song in rememberance of the late Mike O'Roark, who was a terrific entertainer and a friend to anyone he ever met.  For many years every Wednesday night would find Mike on stage at Dirk's Bar & Grille in KC's Northland, entertaining friends and strangers alike, even as he battled the cancer which would eventually take his life.  Roger & Chris Brough, C.J. Sanders & Donn Weiser who played with Mike all those years, decided to continue the Wednesday night tradition, keeping the name Mike O'Roark's Nitty Gritty Dirk's Band.  We thought some time ago that everyone would enjoy hearing Garry sing his song at this venue where Mike had so many close friends, and after checking with everyone, met Garry & Mary Bichelmeyer, Don Spain (the great harmonica player from Leavenworth) along with John & Mary Pettersch at Dirk's this evening.

Roger Brough and the guys opened the evening with "Way Down Town" "Mama Tried To Tell Me" (written by Roger), "Some Days Are Diamonds," "Roustabout," "Spanish Pipe Dream" and Billy Joe Shaver's "Old Chunk Of Coal" before C. J. Sanders jumped in with one of his culinary specials, "Rutabaga Boogie."  Returning with Tom T. Hall's "Pamela Brown" and "Ballad of Ed & Mama," (another original song) Roger was joined by Don Spain's terrific harmonica playing as he continued with "Crazy Arms," "My Window Faces The South," "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and "Folsom Prison Blues."  Sondra Brough & Jennifer O'Brian joined the group to close their set with "I Saw The Light."

Garry Bichelmeyer got a big hand as he started his set with John Anderson's "Catch A Falling Star," Waylon/Jesse's "Storms Never Last," the hilarious "I'm So Lonesome In The Saddle Since My Horse Died" which he wrote and Josh Turner's "Long Black Train" which closed his set.  But the song that got the biggest hand and made us all think back to our various rememberances of Mike O'Roark was the song he wrote and sang here tonight entitled "Mike's Guitar."  We hope Garry will be cutting a CD with this song on it in the near future.  In the meanime, with Garry's permission here are the lyrics:

Mike's Guitar

Cut from the same family tree, Mike O'Roark and me.  Mike liked to hang out with the stars, And me, I was Mike's guitar.

We went every place there was to go, Playin' bluegrass and country music shows, A half a million honky tonks and bars, I went too -- I was Mike's guitar.

Chorus  In this life we're lucky, If we find one true friend, And I'd face a forest fire, To hear his voice again.

I was close with his broher Mitch, Who played the bass and kept us both on pitch, In the picture there we're leaning against the car, That's me, I was Mike's guitar.

We played with Kenny Rogers and Tom T. Hall, Alabama, hell I can't name em all, Yeah, Mike and Mitch went pretty far, I should know, I was Mike's guitar.   (Chorus)

The best things in life always end, And so it was with my best good friend They hung me up behind somebody's bar, And Mike's hanging with the stars -- I was proud to have been Mike's guitar.

(Below) Garry Bichelmeyer sings "Mike's Guitar"

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:52 PM CDT

Updated: Thursday, 23 April 2009 3:47 PM CDT

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David Purcell got the lion's share of the calls tonight as he prepared for his  appearance at Annie's Country Jubilee this Saturday night.  Starting with "I Wonder How Many There Would Be," Johnny Cash's "There Will Always Be That One" and Hank Sr.'s "Move It On Over," he returned later with George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Willie Nelson's "Remember Me," a Garry Bichelmeyer song "Northern Star," "Once In A Lifetime Thing," "Tennessee Birdwalk," "On The Road Again" and "It's Not Love But It's Not Bad."   Larry Dean proved to be in fine voice himself tonight and did a great job on Travis Tritt's "I'm A Member Of A Country Club," Conway Twitty's "Tight Fittin' Jeans" and Vern Gosdin's "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong Do It Right."  Gordon Riley, John Malone and the rest of the band sounded fantastic tonight as they played "Bells Of St Mary's," "Act Naturally" & "Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms," the latter two featuring vocals by Gordon.  Mark Hayden's banjo work was featured as the band played "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," "Cripple Creek" & Earl's Breakdown" as well as "The Old Home Place" with vocals by Garry Bichelmeyer.

 Garry himself, who is planning on being at Dirks (Bar & Grille, near I-29 & Barry Rd.) tomorrow night also sang a couple of his own songs, "Marie" and "Mike's Guitar (written in rememberance of Mike O'Roark, a great talent and friend of everyone he ever met, who passed away last August) as well as an old 50's song, "Stand By Me" with a great solo by Jim Wilson on the saxophone, who also sat in with the band tonight.  Garry's wife, Mary Bichelmeyer was also at her accustomed position tonight: behind the bass guitar and doing her usual fine job singing "Bill Bailey," the Judds' "Grandpa," "Tennessee Waltz" and "Oh, Lonesome Me."  (Below) The BK Lounge 3/24/09

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:24 PM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:26 PM CDT

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Thunderous applause from a near capacity crowd greeted Leland Jones as he stepped onstage to welcome everyone to the inaugural show of his 16th season of bringing quality country music to this area.  Leland began the evening with an Eddie Rabbitt song, "Two Dollars In The Jukebox" then it was Johnny Horton's "Slew Foot" and later Vince Gill's "Look At Us," Hank Williams' "Take These Chains," a song he wrote sometime back, "Dirt Road" and Stonewall Jackson's "Don't Be Angry." 

Fonda Bennett has one of the best female voices around and she put it to good use tonight as she sang "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You," Patsy Cline's "Back In Baby's Arms," "Blue Side Of Town" and Reba's "Don't Touch Me There."  The Country Pickers with Richard Jewell on the electric banjo, Ron Lana on lead, Chuck Robinson on steel, Bob Smith on drums, Jack Wicker on keyboard & Harvey Hayseed on bass sounded super as they played a couple of instrumentals to the crowd's delight, "Remington Ride" and "Steel Guitar Rag."  The first of tonight's guest artists, Duane Simmons is a familiar face to many oprys and shows throughout this region.  His strong voice and mellow delivery is captivating to say the least.  He and his wife Carol will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary at a show June 5th at the Senior Center in Trenton, MO.  Check our Bulletin Board for more details.  Tonight he got the feet tappin' and the hands clappin' with a medley of "Release Me/Fraulein/The Key's In The Mailbox," Merle's "Silver Wings," George Strait's "Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind," "Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy," a duet with Leland of "Columbus Stockade Blues" and Gene Watson's "Farewell Party." 

You can tell Roxanne Gregg loves to sing country and she's very good at it.  We were impressed with her variety of material, voice range and stage presence.  Tonight she sang the Johnny Russell written, Buck Owens performed "Act Naturally," Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," Vince Gill's "Pretty Words," "Your Cheating Heart" and an old classic made popular by Tex Ritter, Jimmie Davis and others, "There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder."  We hope to see more of this lady.

It's always great to see our friend David Welch, the singing bus driver.  As well as always bringing a passel of folks with him, David uses his talents to sing some of those great country standards we all enjoy so much.  Tonight he was just outstanding as he sang a Jack Greene smash "There Goes My Everything," Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," Elvis' "Promise Land," Marty Robbins' "You Gave Me A Mountain" and "I'm All Shook Up."  Great stuff!!  Carole Jones announced at intermission that she and Leland would also be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and are planning a 4 night Bahama cruise and are inviting everyone to go!  Check out the details of the August 3 - 7, 2009 cruise on our Bulletin Board, which is accessable from the home page.

It's always a pleasure to see and hear Jack Wicker and exciting to learn he will be a regular member of the Country Pickers this season.  Tonight he filled all the requests he could with Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "I Know A Man Who Can," "Could You Walk A Mile In That Man's Shoes," "I'll Fly Away" and an incredible job of "How Great Thou Art."  Leland closed the evening with "Gotta Travel On."  (Below) top - Roxanne Gregg & David Welch  bottom- Duane Simmons

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 22 March 2009 2:43 PM CDT

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It doesn't take long for word to get around Greater Kansas City's bluegrass community when a special affair is in the works and this fact couldn't have been more evident than tonight when the biggest crowd we've ever seen here attended the monthly H.A.B.O.T. meeting/show.  President Mary Caton welcomed everyone and introduced the house band - Kenny Coates (banjo), Walt Weigman (guitar), Matt Jergenson (bass), Norman Martin (guitar), Jim Downs (mandolin).  The first individual act this evening was Faye & Cotton Sanderson with daughter Christy Banks.  Cotton proved to be a great fiddler and Christy with Faye on harmony, some great vocals.  First it was Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter," then "I'm Using My Bible For A Road Map" and "With The Saints I'll Shout & Shine."  Cotton & Faye did a super duet of Jimmy Martin's "Sunny Side Of The Mountain" before Cotton took off on the fiddle with a round of "Black Mountain Rag."  Mary Caton reminded everyone she can do some great vocals too as she and the band treated everyone to a trip on the "Wabash Cannonball."  Duke Creason from Excelsior Springs was the next individual act and he treated everyone to "Honky Tonk Blues" and the beautiful gospel number "Can You Imagine."  Vi Gordon sang a couple of old time favorites, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" and "If Teardrops Were Pennies & Heartaches Were Gold" to the audience's delight.

The Redhead Express aka The Walker Family rented out their dream home in Alaska, bought a 38' motor home & a 27' trailer and a dog and headed south to pursue their love of music.  Their travels eventually brought them to Branson where they will be performing at the Circle B Theatre this summer.  Parents Brett & Apryll can certainly be proud of their offspring: Kendra (19), LaRae (18), Alisa (16) and Meghan (13) and we can't forget the three boys who are fast on their heels, Sean (10), Joseph (8) and Ammon (6).  Alisa began their set with a wonderful job of "Mule Skinner Blues," then it was "Head Over Heels In Love With You," "Blessed Jesus Hold My Hand," Kendra, Apryll & Brett sang "Blue Stone Mountain" then it was Alisa, Kendra & LaRue with "When Will I Be Loved."  Ernest Tubb's "Thanks A Lot" was next and then it was the "Walker Boys" donning beards & hillbilly hats and harmonizing on "Man Of Constant Sorrow."  Eight year old Joseph showed his prowess on the fiddle as he played "Old Joe Clark" and Sean followed with a fiddle tune of his own, "Mockingbird."  "Will You Miss Me," "Vacation To Heaven" & "The Old Homeplace" followed before Brett sang "Get Up John" and the Walker family paid homage to our veterans both here with us and those who paid the ultimate price.  For more information on this wonderfully entertaining group check out their website: www.RedHeadExpress.com

If you follow bluegrass at all in the Kansas City area, you should be quite familiar with the Hootin' Annies - an all-woman bluegrass band that has been nominated in no less than six catagories in the annual Society For The Preservation of Bluegrass Music (Midwest).  Stephanie, Karla, Mary, Patti & Cynthia are all immensly talented on their own and together they are just dynamite!  Whether it's Cynthia's "Winter's Come And Gone" & "By The Mark," Stephanie's "Arkansas Shiek" & "Plank Road," Patti's "Gospel Ship" & "Old Camp Meeting," Karla's "Send The Light" & "Motor Vehicle" or Mary's "Wheelin'" & "Paint The Town" it's the close harmony and tone purity that sets them apart.  For more information on the Annies, check out their webpage: www.thehootinannieskc.com

We always enjoy seeing and listening to Misty Mountain Revival.  As are most of the bands we see here at H.A.B.O.T., they are great musicians as well as singers.  The group consists of Jim Belk (mandolin), Kathy Belk (vocals), Gary Gray (banjo/guitar), Tim Simon (bass) & Ron Slyter (guitar, banjo) with a special addition tonight of 3 yr. old Sara Gray and her violin.  Their selections tonight included "If I Lose," "Colleen Malone," "Winter's Come & Gone," "You Plant Your Fields," "Looking Past You," "St. Anne's Reel" (vocals & instrumental), "Say I Do," "Panhandle Rag," "Something To Talk About," "Music Of The Mountains," Travis Tritt's "Where Corn Don't Grow" and "Dear Old Dixie." 

This concluded one of the best shows we have had the pleasure to see here at H.A.B.O.T.  For more information on this organization be sure and check out their website: http://habot.org  (Below)  top - The RedHead Express  bottom - Hootin Annies

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 21 March 2009 12:06 PM CDT

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As usual, we were a little late arriving at the BK tonite, just in time to hear Larry Dean putting the finishing touches on an old Irish tune "Clap For The Daddy-O's" and then it was Johnny Cash's "Forty Shades Of Green."  After break, Larry was to return with Travis Tritt's "TROUBLE" and a beautiful job on Vern Gosdin's "Is It Raining At Your House."  It's always great to see and listen to David Purcell (who will be appearing at Annie's Country Jubilee March 28th) and tonight was certainly no exception as he sang "It's Not Love But It's Not Bad," Cash's "There'll Always Be That One," a Garry Bichelmeyer tune "Northern Star" and George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today."  Marvin Bredemeier, who of course plays fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's started his evening off with an Irish jig of his own, then it was "Wild Irish Rose," "Ragtime Annie," "Sugar Foot Rag" and "Rubber Dolly." 

Lead guitar Gordon Riley did one of his rare vocals on Merle Haggard's "Big City" and he, drummer John Malone and the rest of the band did a bang up job on "Birth Of The Blues."  Mary Bichelmeyer's soft, mellow treatment of a song is becoming legendary and tonight she sure sounded good as she sang "Don't Tell Me What To Do," "It Don't Hurt Anymore," "Don't Come Cryin' To Me," and "I Fall To Pieces."  Garry Bichelmeyer's songwriting abilities were evident tonight as he sang "Marie," "Bustin' Up Rocks," Johnny Russell's "Catfish John," and another original, "Mike's Guitar," a song he wrote to the memory of the late Mike O'Roark. 

It was so nice seeing Pama Weaver and hearing her sing and pick "Jimmy Brown The Newsboy," "Makin' Plans," Crystal Gayle's "I'll Get Over You" and "The Way I Am."  Annie Little was also here and sang "It's Such A Lovely Day Today" and another Garry Bichelmeyer song that is on her CD, "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind."  (Below) top - The BK St. Pat's Band -  l. to r. Garry O'Bichelmeyer, John O'Malone, Mary O'Bichelmeyer, David O'Purcell, Larry O'Dean, Marvin O'Bredemeier and Gordon O'Riley bottom - Pama Weaver sings "Jimmy Brown The Newsboy"  

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 18 March 2009 10:10 PM CDT

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A near-capacity crowd was on hand tonight for Middle Creek's season opening show of 2009 which also marked their 8th anniversary of providing quality entertainment.  We arrived a little early and took advantage of their snack bar and dining facilities and had the opportunity to visit with some friends who also decided to take in the show.  Shortlly after we found our seating, the lights came up and Elijah Chastain (lead guitar, emcee and musical director) welcomed everyone to the initial show of 2009 singing Mark Chesnutt's "What A Way To Live" and "Johnny B. Goode."

Angie Larson (keyboard, vocals) always sings a great song and tonite it was "I Feel A Heartache Coming On," "I Love You More Than I Can Say" and Jo Dee Messina's "Heads Carolina." Our friend Carl Butler (bass, vocals) did a fine job singing old favorites "A-11," Waylon/Willie's "Good Hearted Woman" and Doug Kershaw's "Diggy Diggy Lo." We always enjoy listening to Bobby DeMoss (steel guitar) play and tonight he chose "Bud's Bounce" and "Please Release Me" while drummer Brad Meadows gave the folks a good example of his vocal talents, singing "I'm Leaving Here A Better Man."  And while we're talking about vocal talent, we thought Barbara Walker, one of two great female vocalists that grace the Middle Creek stage, was just extraordinary as she sang Crystal Gayle's "Have You Left The One You Left Me For," Roy Orbison's "Cryin'" and "Bill Bailey." 

The other half of this duo is, of course Jamie Gumm-Ogle whom one might say, was born into the entertainment business.  After doing a magnificent job singing "Misty," Jamie introduced her parents, Thom "Gabby" and Sandy Gumm.  The Gumm Family is a Lake Of The Ozarks institution providing quality entertainment at the Main Street Music Hall  for people of all ages.  After "Workin' For A Livin'" and  "Great Is The Lord," it was Thom, singing and playing harmonica on "Kiss A Pig" as he held a stuffed porker.  Sandy's "Boondocks," Thom's "Can't Stop My Leg" and a solo on the tire pump of "Stars & Stripes Forever" were other first half highlights.

The second half featured not only the Gumm Family but some of the Middle Creek band doing impressions of some of our favorite country/western/pop artists.  First was Sandy as Dale Evans and Thom as Roy Rogers (& Trigger!) singing "Happy Trails" then Jamie donning a red wig and as Reba, singing "Why Haven't I Heard From You."  Barbara Walker showed her yodeling skills on Patsy Montana's "Cowboy's Sweetheart" and then it was Sandy & Thom again, elaborately dressed as Porter & Dolly singing "The Last Thing On My Mind."  Jamie did a great Patsy Cline with "Crazy" while Thom sang Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire" and Brad Meadows did his best Roger Miller with "Dang Me."  Jamie & Sandy did a terrific duet as the Judds of "Rockin' To The Rhythm Of The Rain" before Thom (plus facial hair) returned as Hank Jr. and "All My Rowdy Friends" and Angie Larson donned her dark glasses to sing Terri Gibbs' "Somebody's Knockin'."  Jamie's afro and tie-dyed top were a dead give-away as she sang Aretha Franklin's "R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and Thom's bright red suit & coal black hair let everyone know that "Elvis was in the house" singing "Hunk Of Love."  After the beautiful "Shadow Of The Cross," the Gumms paid tribute to all our fighting men and women by playing the official hymns of the four armed services and recognizing members of the audience who had served their country.  Jamie closed the evening, leading everyone in the singing of "God Bless America."  (Below) top - Sandy & Thom as Dale Evans & Roy Rogers bottom - The Gumm Family  Thom, Jamie & Sandy

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:03 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 1:14 AM CDT

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