We arrived extremely late at the BK tonight due to a long day at work (don't ya hate it when work interfers with fun?) and were surprised to see the huge crowd. Larry Dean (Inman)'s brother, sister, wife Rosey and other relatives and friends gathered here tonight to watch the band perform and have a great time.
"Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, who playes fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday night was giving the folks a sample of his vast talents as he sang and played the old Bob Wills classic "Milk Cow Blues" as we found our seats and then was kind enough to send our favorite fiddle tune, "Ragtime Annie," out to us. Later, Marvin returned with "Black Mountain Rag" and Maiden's Prayer." It was great seeing in the audience tonight, Glen Smith, who owned & operated Glen's Opry in Tonganoxie, KS for so many years before it became Annie's. Glen and yours truly were classmates in high school, so it's always a pleasure to see him.
Mary Bichelmeyer got a big ovation as she sang "Please Release Me" and "Don't Come Cryin To Me When It's Over" while husband Garry brought the house down with some original material ("Marie," "I'm So Lonesome In The Saddle Since My Horse Died," "Bustin' Up Rocks") as well as Hank Sr.'s Kaw-Liga and John Anderson's "Seminole Wind." Larry Dean, backed by this great band including Gordon Riley on lead guitar and John Malone on drums, did just an incredible job singing Don Williams' "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good," Vern Gosdin's "Nickels & Dimes & Love" and "I Loved Them Everyone." We always look forward to hearing David Purcell sing, he's a natural, that's for sure! Tonight he started with a Garry Bichelmeyer tune, "Northern Star," then it was Hank Sr.'s "Move It On Over," "That's The Way Love Goes" and "Tennessee Birdwalk."
Garry introduced Darlene Randel from Eudora, KS. who he credits with getting Mary and he performing many years ago. Darlene proved to be every bit the gracious lady Garry made her out to be and quite the entertainer to boot, singing "Have You Ever Been Lonely" and "Waltz Across Texas" for the appreciative crowd. Larry Dean closed the evening with "The Family Bible," a gospel tune written by Willie Nelson and recorded by George Jones. (Below) top - Darlene Randel bottom - David Purcell with Glen Smith