It's been quite a spell since we've been able to visit Jr.'s Hitchin Post Opry in the bucolic surroundings of Quenemo, KS and from all appearances, except the closing of the cafe and the new-improved full service snack bar, things seemed to be about the same. The big change, we were to discover, was in the band. Butch Carter still anchors the show with his emcee duties as well as vocals, Rick McClintic plays that great lead guitar and our friend Gary Gnip sits behind those drums, keeping things together. But with the addition of Elizabeth McKinley's beautiful vocals, Mike Wilcox's bass & awesome vocal talent along with Rex Peterson's outstanding keyboards and vocals, this band is just a lot of fun to listen to.
Elizabeth started the night's festivities with Patty Loveless' "Blame It On Your Heart" and a little later it was Tammy Wynette's "Till I Can Make It On My Own," Jesse Coulter's "I'm Not Lisa," "Silver Threads & Golden Needles" and Lorri Morgan's "What Part Of No Don't You Understand." Mike Wilcox, who we found out while visiting with him has quite a bit of Branson-area experience, did some great vocal work here tonight. We were especially impressed with his singing of some of the audience requests, which is a new feature here at the Hitchin Post. Beginning with "Heart Over Mind" and "Crystal Chandelier," Mike returned later with "Don't Close Your Eyes," Gene Watson's "Would You Change Her Mind" and Jack Greene's "Statue Of A Fool."
Butch Carter not only did a super job emceeing the show tonight, but sings a super country song himself. First it was T.G. Shepard's "There's Only One You" followed by Conway Twitty's "We're Not Exactly Strangers," "Six Days On The Road," David Alan Coe's "The Ride," Hank Sr.'s "Kaw Liga" and an outstanding job of "Private Malone." We thought Rex Peterson's keyboards and vocals added a lot to this band's mixture Rex, who drives in here all the way from Lee's Summit, MO every Saturday night, sang "Every Second Every Minute," Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Gene Watson's "Farewell Party" and the Statler's "Elizabeth." Rick McClintic showed that he's a multi-talented performer as well, singing Rodney Crowell's "Above & Beyond," "Honey Don't," 'Green Green Grass Of Home" and played a tune written by Don Rich, Buck Owens' longtime lead guitar player, "Buckaroo." Gary Gnip showed the audience he's not just another pretty face behind those drums, as he sang the Beetles' "Money" and Jerry Reed's "Amos Moses."
Tonight's guest, Phil Decker has a deep voice with great range, we thought. Although we had seen him at a previous show, he sang several new songs we hadn't heard previously. Beginning with Don Gibson's "Sea Of Heartbreak," an audience request of Josh Gibson's "Long Black Train" and Gene Watson's "14 Carat Mind" he continued with Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons," "Oh, Lonesome Me" and Merle Haggard's "The Fugitive." It's always nice to see Ralph & Jane Wilson, the owner & operators of the opry and have them participate. Tonight they did a skit based on Hee-Haw's "Where Oh Where Are You Tonight?" Funny stuff!! We had a most enjoyable evening which closed with cast and crew singing the Gatlin Brothers' "All The Gold In California." (Below) The Hitchin Post Band: l to r Front: Butch Carter, Elizabeth McKinley, Mike Wilcox Back: Rick McClintic, Rex Peterson, Gary Gnip