It was a fantastic night of great classic music tonight and Tonganoxie's own "Queen of Country Music"-Annie Dunavin opened the evening by singing "Take That Long Train to Kansas". She also made a tribute to the late Patsy Cline, who had been killed in a plane crash 48 years ago, this very night after performing in Kansas City. She sang "South Of The Border", "Faded Love", "The Tennesse Waltz", and returning the 2nd set to sing "Together Again", Leroy VanDyke's "Walk On By" and Stonewall Jacksons "Don't Be Angry". Annie has a wonderful voice and has her own CD. A must buy for everyone who enjoys great country music. Marvin Bredemeier showed his expertise at playing his fiddle to dad, mom and my favorite "RagTime Annie", and "Silver Bells". David George Kansas State Flattop Champion, showed his wonderful talents on such songs as "Whiskey Bound", "Love's Gonna Live Here and "Angel Eyes". The very pretty and talented Ronni Ward sang with such great talent "Twist And Shout", "Why They Call It Falling", "Have Mercy On Me" Then we had the Tonganoxie Gentleman of Country Music Jim Winters come and sing some of our great classic country songs "If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets", Vern Gosdin's "Chiseled In Stone", "Bad News", "Better Class Of Losers", and " Job Description". Of course the evening would not be complete without the wonderful sound of Fred Uzzell (steel guitar) "Stomping At The Savoy" and "Sleep Walk". Ted Ward (Bass Player) sang "She's No Lady, She's My Wife", great job not only on the bass, but what a voice.
Guest Barbara Walker, who performs at the Middle Creek Opry in Louisburg, Ks. Came on to the stage with her beautiful smile and sang many of our classic country favorites. Roy Orbison"s "Crying", Bob Will's "Right Or Wrong", Dolly Parton's "Jolene", "I Wish That I Could Fall In Love Today", Elvis's "A Fool Such As I", and Pam Tillis's own "Put Yourself In My Place".
Another great feature tonight was Jim Winters and Barbara Walker singing and doing a bang up job on duets "My Elusid Dreams", George & Tammy's "Two Story House", Johnny & June's "jackson" and Dave & Sugar's "The Door Is Always Open". Fantastic job and we hope to hear more of this in the future-they were naturals.
Comping up next was none other than the wonderful and talented singer Tony Juarez from Louisburg, Ks. The show just kept getting better as the night went forward singing many of our's and the crowd's favorites. Bob Wills "Blue Moon of Kentucky", Collin Raye's "Loving You Love Me", Merle's "Tiger By The Tail", Freddie Fender's "Before The Next Tear Drop Falls" "Labamba", Conway's "Only Make Believe", Freddie Fender's "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights' and "Working Man Blues". You can see Tony appearing at many of the Opry shows.
Hoping to get to see more of Barbara and Tony in the future.
For the gospel portion of the show: Ronnie Ward came out to sing "Blesssed Assurance".
We also had the privilege of seeing dear friends Bill & Brenda Harris tonight, owner's of the Middle Creek Opry in Louisburg, Ks. and the Ft. Scott, Ks. Classic Country Show. It was nice to see them here supporting Annie's Country Jubilee. If you get the opportunity go and visit them, but remember if you can't get to their show-you can always come to Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie, Ks. Let's support all of our local, Kansas and Missouri opry's. (You can see where these all are on the Mokan Opry website).
Signing off for now, God Bless You All.
Robert & Jean Hawkins ****Photos will be posted later this week****