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****

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 16 March 2011 8:43 PM CDT

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Hello!  We want to say hello to all of you and let you know Roger's death has hit us all very hard.  We are however going to be visiting shows beginning March 5, 2011 and will begin posting on our website.

Roger wanted us to keep the site going and with the help of our son and grandson, we are going to do just what he wanted.  Be with us and if you have any suggestions-please let us know.  Our son who is a writer just like his dad will be doing the writing, our grandson Josh will be doing the photography and me I will be taking the notes as usual (song lists will be appreciated).  We will also need your help and prayers in keeping the site going.

We will be attending Annie's Country Jubilee March 5, 2011.  Middle Creek the next week and so on til we are visiting you all on a regular basis again.  We will be taking a weekend vacation to be with family down in Iola, Ks. the weekend of the 18-20th.  We are going to also get back to attending our Tuesday night shows at Burger King, Friday night shows at Cameron and Ft. Scott and all of the other shows on our website.

Thanks to all of you for your patience, well wishes and concern for me and our family-we love and miss you all very much.  It has just been very hard since Roger's death,.  Keep us in your prayers and God Bless You All.

Love Jean and family.

Mokan Opry 

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 8:11 PM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 16 March 2011 8:25 PM CDT

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Dear friends and family:

We are having a Celebration Of Life Service for Roger. 

It will be held at Annie's County

Jubilee,Sunday, January 23,2011 @ 1:00 PM.   (location 4th & Main Tonganoxie, Ks.)

This will be a celebration of Roger's life, he did not want us to mourn his death.

He said "I want it to be a celebration of  my life."

Thanks so much,

Jean and her family,

Annie and Terry Dunavin and all of the folks who will be traveling to perform, as well as those locally.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 9:01 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 19 January 2011 9:20 AM CST

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Dear friends & fans.  Just want to let you all know that Roger passed away this morning at 1:45 A.M.  He did not suffer and went very peacefully.

Our family and I want to thank you all for making his last days here very happy.  He will be dearly missed by us all.

We want to also thank everyone for visiting while in hospital each time, sending flowers, cards, bringing dinner to us and most of just being our friends.  Oh and I must say thanks for all of the e-mails, he really loved hearing these.

Roger said to tell you once he had gone, to let you know he would always be watching over all of us.

Roger is being cremated and we will be having a memorial most likely at Annie's Country Jubilee.  We will let you know when. 

I will sign off now, 

Jean 

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 6:01 AM CST

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To all of our friend's who visited with Roger & me during his stay in the hospital.  We do so want to say thanks, it really boosted Roger to have so many people come to visit.  We also want to thank our son's and grandson's for coming to visit us at the hospital-thanks for the gifts you brought, your love and all that you shared with us.  We appreciate all of the get well cards and Christmas cards-they truly meant so much to Roger and of course to me too.

Now for this evening.  It was Roger's honor to host and have our loved friend's who we have met at Annie's Country Jubilee.  Thanks to Terry & Annie Dunavan,  Bill & louise Clark, Jerry & Linda Kendrick and John & Mary Pettersch, our son's Wayne & Robert Hawkins, our daughter in law Lisa Hawkins and our grandson's Cory & Joshua Hawkins.  We had a wonderful time at the Golden Corral at 13440 Blackbob Rd. in Olathe, Ks.  The food was great, the fellowship very wonderful.  Roger said it was great having women look after him getting his food, hugging and kissing him.  This was our Christmas gift to them for helping us by caring, giving of themselves and just being there all of the time when we are needing them.  We love them all and want to be sure they know how we both feel.  What a way to spend a very special night-you truly made our night and have put us in spirit of Christmas.

Roger is resting now, he is finally sleeping and I must say it sounds great to hear him breathing with such peacefulness.

We love you all and again thanks to all of you for making this a wonderful evening and wonderful Christmas for Roger & me.

I am so sorry we couldn't take everyone we meet at the shows, but know we love and care for each and everyone of you as well.

We will sign off now,

Love Roger & Jean Hawkins

MoKan Opry.Com

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 11:27 PM CST

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Although Ronnie McDowell has appeared at the Northtown Opry when it was in it's previous location, this was the first time we'd had the opportunity to attend one of his shows.  We throughly enjoyed ourselves and would recommend whole-heartedly that anyone who has the opportunity to take in one of his fun-packed evenings with not only great singing and music, but lots of rememberances and memories from his many years of touring. 

Tonight's show began much differently that usual with young Karli Chayne being introduced by her father.  At the tender age of 13, Karli has already signed a recording contract and released two CD's.  Tonight, backed by her younger sister and a cousin, Karli sang some cuts from her albums and some original material as well, beginning with "It's Called Love," followed closely by "Little White Church," "Love At First Sight" and finished her set with a song she wrote "What Did I Get Myself Into."  The audience gave Karli a warm round of applause as Kevin Jones & the Northtown Opry Band set up for their portion of the program.  Byron Jones greeted everyone with a Ferlin Husky tune "I Could Sing All Night" and Carl Smith's "I Overlooked An Orchid" before introducing daughter-in-law Chastity Jones who did a bang-up job singing Barbara Mandrell's "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed" and a duet with Byron of a Dolly/Porter hit "Someone I Used To Know."  Chastity returned later to sing Martina McBride's "Independence Day" and Merle Haggard's "I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall."  Fiddler Carl Cook got the feet tappin' with "Sugar Foot Rag" and the same can be said of keyboardist Stan Steel who sang and played Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin."  Drummer Darrin Chumley was up next with Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon" followed by bass guitarist Mike Bush with Merle's "If We Make It Through December."  Lead guitarist and band leader Kevin Jones sang Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got To Memphis" and Waylon Jennings' "Stop The World & Let Me Off" before Byron closed the first half of the show with Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." 

Lead guitarist Kevin Welch opened tonights festivities with a seasonal greeting of "Jingle Bell Rock", before Ronnie McDowell took center stage.  Between 1979 and l986 almost every single released became a top 10 hit including the chart topper "Older Women".  As a result of his many years of touring with mega star Conway Twitty, it was "Lay Me Down", the famous duet with Conway "It's Only Make Believe"(with Conway's actual voice piped in, for an added sense of reality).  "The King is Gone", was next before he introduced his younger son Tyler Dean McDowell, who blessed us with some terrific vocal talents of his own singing Elvis Presleys "Viva Las Vegas" to the delight of the crowd.  Ronnie returned to sing a medley of 40's songs "That Smile", "Crazy Love" and "You Are Mine At Last" before launching into 1981's "Watching Girls Go by" preceded his favorite Christmas song "White Christmas", Fats Domino's "Blue Berry Hill" and Elvis Presleys "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You".

Ronnie introduced his oldest son Ronnie Dean McDowell Jr., the group's drummer and he proved to be an outstanding musician performing one of the best versions of "Wipe Out" that we have heard.  Next up was Phil Redmond the group's keyboard player performing "Hey Bartender" before Ronnie returned with his favorite gospel song "How Great Thou Art", Elvis Presleys "American Trilogy" followed by a duet with Byron Jones and the rest of the bad including Kevin McGurk on bass with "You Are My Sunshine".  Ronnie then closed tonights outstanding performance of "Unchained Melody" from the sound track of the Patrick Swayze movie "Ghost".  (Below) Ronnie McDowell with Karli Chayne.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 12 December 2010 1:29 AM CST

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Tonight's special show began with Byron Jones and the Northtown Opry Band provding the entertainment the first half.  Byron welcomed everyone with a Porter Wagoner classic "Country Music's Gone To Town" and joined by daughter-in-law Chastity Jones followed with Ernest Tubbs' "Waltz Across Texas" and Carl Smith's "If Teardrops Were Pennies."  Chastity got a big hand as she sang a Carlene Carter hit, "I Fell In Love" and a bit later Sara Evans' "Three Chords And The Truth" and Kris Krisofferson's "Me And Bobby McGee."  It's always great to see Jason Meyerkorth on fiddle and tonight he played one of our favorites, "Faded Love" and returned a bit later singing & playing Restless Heart's "Bluest Eyes In Texas."  Stan Steele who plays a terrific keyboard here every Saturday night showed his vocal abilities, singing Merle Haggard's "Working Man Blues" as did bass player Mike Bush with Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" and drummer Darrin Crumley who sang Garth Brooks' "Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old." Lead & steel guitarist, band leader Kevin Jones stepped front and center to sing Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got To Memphis" followed by Keith Whitley's "Would These Arms Be In The Way" and "The Crawdad Song" recorded by George Jones and many others.  Byron closed the first half with a Del Reeves classic "There's A Diesel On My Tail." 

The crowd greeted Branson-based country superstar Moe Bandy and his Americana band with a big hand as he chose to open his set with a Porter Wagoner tune, "Another Day Another Dollar" before launching into one of his own top-ten hits, 1981's "Someday Soon."  Blockbuster hit, 1975's "Hank Williams You Wrote My Life" preceded 1987's "You Haven't Heard The Last Of Me" and one of many Moe Bandy/Joe Stampley duets, 81's "Hey Joe (Hey Moe) and one that we personally requested "The Biggest Airport In The World" followed by 1981's "Rodeo Romeo."  A medley of crowd favorites ("If You're Gonna Play In Texas/Amarillo By Morning/Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind/All My Ex's Live In Texas") gave way to the George Jones classic hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Moe's 1979 "Barstool Mountain." 

Another pair of Moe/Joe compilations "Good Old Boys" and "Tell Ole I Ain't Here" gave way to 1990's "Many Mansions," 1993's "Picture In A Frame" and "A Few Stars Short Of The Moon."  Next, Moe opted to remember several of his favorite country stars including Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire," Marty Robbins' "Devil Woman," Freddie Fender's "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" and George Jones' "White Lighting" before returning with his 1975 chart-topper written by Lefty Frizzell & others, "Bandy The Rodeo Clown" and 87's "Til I'm Too Old To Die Young."  Closing out tonight's terrific entertainment package, Moe concluded with the 1987 smash, "Americana," a Moe/Joe duet of the whimiscal "Where's The Dress?" and 1979's "It's A Cheatin' Situation."  (Below) Kevin (l.) and Byron Jones (r.) pose with country superstar Moe Bandy (c.) 

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 24 November 2010 11:01 AM CST

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We have been looking forward to seeing and hearing David Ball & the Pioneer Playboys perform since we last saw them at John Green's Wagon Wheel back in April of this year.  The show not only features the great vocal stylings and performance by David himself, but the band with Billy Pierce on bass, the talented Troy Cook on lead guitar & backup vocals and perhaps the best drummer/percussionist in the business, Scott Metko are a real asset to an already awesome entertaining and delightful package.  Today's show began at 4:00 PM (doors opened slightly after 3) with opry owner Ted Cline (who is also one of this area's best male vocalists and who also played bass this first half, starting tonight's festivities off with Merle Haggard's "Let's Chase Each Other 'Round The Room Tonight" and an old Gene Watson tune "Texas Saturday Night."  Ted returned a bit later with Lefty Frizzell's "Saginaw Michigan."  Ted's equally talented brother Kevin Cline showed his many talents off singing Faron Young's "Step Aside," Johnny Paycheck's "Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets" and a super job both singing, playing guitar and some great harmonica work on Tom T. Hall's "I'm A Shoeshine Man."  Jerry Forney, the group's steel guitar player, stepped front and center, donning a conventional electric guitar and showing his immense talent, singing an original song entitled "Ghost," a historical lament written about the dark final days of Jesse James.  Jerry then sang the Johnny Cash mega-hit "Rig of Fire" before returning to his usual spot and joining lead guitarist Jim Lower (who plays lead every Saturday night at the Big Creek Country Show in Pleasant Hill and whose son Jim Lower, Jr. played drums here tonight) for a great rendition of "Steel Guitar Rag."  Jim concluded tonight's first half, choosing an accoustical guitar and playing first a Chet Atkins' standard, "Southland" then finishing with Merle Travis' "I'll See You In My Dreams."

Troy Cook, the Playboys' lead guitarist and backup vocalist greeted the crowd as the second half began with the great Buck Owens' tune "Love's Gonna Live Here Again," followed by Johnny Cash's mega-hit "Folsom Prison Blues."  Troy returned a bit later with a George Jones' favorite, "White Lighting" which many aren't aware of, was written by the late J. P. Richardson, known as the "Big Bopper" a rockabily artist who was killed in the same plane crash that took the life of rock 'n roll artist Buddy Holly.  As David Ball stepped front and center, he kicked things off with an old Faron Young tune, "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" followed by his own Buck Owens favorite "Stop The World And Let Me Off."  1994's "Look What Followed Me Home" preceeded "A Walk On The Wild Side," 2001's blockbuster "Riding With Private Malone," "Louisiana Melody," "I Wanna Go Back To Alabama," "I Don't Want To Go To Houston," "What'll I Do If I Don't Have You," "She Was Smiling In The Morning" and 2010's big hit "Hot Water Pipe."  "Let Me Be Your Sweetheart Again" was followed by "When The Thought Of You Catches Up With Me," "Deep In The Heart Of Texas," "So Long," "Long-Legged Brown Eyed Baby Of Mine" and 1989's megahit that really got David's career off the ground, "Thinking Problem."  David returned for an encore of "Amigo" at Ted Cline's request and much to the crowd's delight.  (Below) David Ball (c.) poses with Ted (l.) & Kirby (r.) Cline.

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 16 November 2010 6:15 AM CST

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Formed in 1969, the Kendalls, consisting of father Royce Kendall and daughter Jeannie Kendall, certainly come to mind when one recalls the top country duos of the 1970's, 80's and 90's.  Responsible for more than 30 singles on the Billboard country singles charts, they had 3 #1 hits and seven more Top Ten hits.  Although Jeannie understandably took some time off after Royce died from a stroke in 1998, she now continues to tour with husband Mack Watkins, who has worked with several famous rock & roll as well as country artists and helps to provide that sweet harmony that the Kendalls were always noted for.  Both Jeannie and her husband both remarked several times what a wonderful job the Middle Creek Band did all night long, not only backing them, but providing a highly entertaining first half as well.  However, tonight's show would start in a much different fashion than normal.

Direct from Branson, MO, where he is the comedic highlight of the Mo Bandy Show, comedian extraordinaire Harley Worthit, garish costumes and all greeted everyone with some pearls of wisdom:  "I feel pretty good right now..I took my in-laws to the airport this morning.  Their plane leaves Tuesday."  "My wife's pretty sore at me for opening the car door for her.  We were only going about 75 MPH at the time!" "Last Christmas my wife wanted something with diamonds in it.  So I gave her a deck of cards." "A normal marriage proposal starts out something like this: 'Would you marry me?"  However, not in Arkansas.  A marriage proposal there usually starts out 'You're What?"  Harley has a brand-new CD out - it's called "You Can't Get This Stupid Overnight."  It contains his big hit "It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew My Rear End Out All Day!" 

Elijah Chastain and the Middle Creek Band including drummer Brad Meadows, began tonight's musical journey with him singing a Ricky Skaggs' favorite "Hiway 40 Blues" followed by Waylon Jennings' "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line."  Close behind was Jodi Austin, the group's fine keyboard player and vocalist who sang Crystal Gayle's "I'd Do It All Over Again" and played a great instrumental of "Hymne" before bass guitarist Carl Butler sang the fast-paced Larry Gatlin tune, "Ode To The Road" and Buck Owens' "A-11."  Carl then did a complete change of pace, picking up an acoustical guitar and joining fiddler Thomas McGregor on a simply beautiful rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."  Songstress Barbara Walker got a big ovation as she sang Barbara Mandrell's "You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Anytime" and crowd-favorite Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight," then gave way to Kansas Steel Guitar Hall Of Famer Bobby DeMoss who thrilled the crowd with the "Steel Guitar Rag." Elijah returned to pay special homage to the area's veterans in recogination of the just-past Veteran's Day.  First was Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA," then an extra-special medley consisting of various service themes, patrotic songs and featuring some awesome guitar runs that were just unbelievabe.  Thomas McGregor closed the first half with his own interpretation of probably the best-known fiddle tune of all time, "The Orange Blossom Special."

After a short break, Harley introduced Jeannie Kendall and husband Mack.  Jeannie explained that tonight's bill of fare would include many of the Kendall's big hits and some of their favorite traditional country songs of yesterday, beginning with 1984's number #1 hit "Thank God For The Radio," followed by "I'm Already Blue," "If You're Waitin' On Me, You're Backing Up," "The Pittsburg Stealers," "Sweet Desire" and "Smokin' Lonesome."  A Louvin Bros. classic, "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," was next, followed by "Your Picture Your Pillow & Me," a favorite gospel number, "Let's All Go Down To The River" and the Osmonds' "I'm Leaving It All Up To You."  Jeannie brought some good advice along with her in the form of "Make A Dance Out Of Everything You Do" and Webb Pierce's "Don't Let Me Cross Over," Hank Thompson's "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" and another Louvin Bros. classic, "My Baby's Gone" were close behind.  Jeannie's pure, perfect, powerful soprano voice was never more evident than when she sang Don Gibson's "Blue Blue Day" and another great gospel number, "How Great Thou Art."  Next up was a Rhonda Vincent number "Timeless True Love" and then the song that catapulted the duo to instant stardom, 1978's Grammy Award winner, "Heaven's Just A Sin Away!"  The big audience gave their instant approval and endorsement, giving the Kendalls a huge hand as they left the stage.  Many of them stayed around after to show to buy CD's. get autographs signed or just visit with this affable couple.  We were able to take a few minutes to become acquainted and found them to be very laid back and easy-going.  If you have an opportunity to see and hear this duo perform, we suggest you do so.  The Kendalls are royal entertainment indeed.  And be sure to check the Middle Creek website: http://www.rutladeroutpost.com/opry.htm.  They have a great show every Saturday night during the season.  (Below)  top -Jeannie Kendall and husband Mack Watkins  bottom_ Comedian Harley Worthit

Posted by hawkshaw5 at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 15 November 2010 2:51 AM CST

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