JR'S HITCHIN POST OPRY & CAFE - A FAVORITE STOP

We headed south tonight to Jr's Hitchin Post Opry which is located in the quaint little town of Quenemo, KS, just southwest of Ottawa, KS. We like to make an evening of it - you just step through an adjoining door to the Hitchin Post Cafe which serves delicious meals and desserts at more than reasonable prices.  Shows start at 7PM to allow folks to get up for church, so come early and stay awhile!  We were impressed with the plush green stage curtains and the new sound system which are recent additions.  Guest artist Don Roberts opened the show with the National Anthum and emcee Butch Carter introduced Russell Wolfe, the Hitchin Post Opry Band's electric bass player, who sang "Six Days On The Road."  Russell is a big crowd favorite and returned later with two Randy Travis numbers, "Pickin Up Bones" and "3 Wooden Crosses", then it was Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" which brought the big crowd to it's feet in a show of support and respect for our great country.  Haley Walters has always been one of our favorites, she adds a certain style and dignity to everything she sings.  Tonight it was "Timber, I'm Falling In Love," Merle's "Silver Wings," "Talk Back Trembling Lips" and her friend and mentor Leona Williams' "If Anyone Ought To Know."  Butch Carter as well as always doing a super job with the emcee duties, sings a mighty fine song himself and we enjoyed hearing him do Mark Chesnutt's "It's Only Monday," Conway's "I Don't Know A Thing About Love," Mel McDaniel's "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" and to stay on the subject, "Tight Fittin Jeans."  Pretty Ronda Kimball delighted the crowd with a tribute to Loretta Lynn.  Ronda and her family were privledged to see Loretta in concert earlier this year in Topeka and she was amazed at the 73 year old superstar's top notch performance.  We thought Ronda was pretty amazing as well as she sang "Lyin Alone," "There He Goes," "You Ain't Woman Enough" and "How Great Thou Art."  The band's "man of steel" (steel guitar, that is) Jody Jackson showed his vocal talents off on "My Old Flames Have New Names," "All My Exs Live In Texas" and the Waylon/Willie classic "Good Hearted Woman."  Rick McClintic plays an awesome lead guitar and led the band on "Main Street Breakdown" while Gary Gnip did a great job on the drums with "Wipeout" and for a change of pace, sang the Beatles "Can't Buy Me Love." 

It was great seeing Don Roberts perform again.  His deep, resonating voice is one you won't forget once you hear him and tonight he sang "We're Burning The Roadhouse Down," "Thanks To The Keeper Of The Stars," "Kansas City," "T.R.O.U.B.L.E.," "Your Cheating Heart" and "Be My Baby Tonight."  Don is an educator by profession and has appeared at a number of local oprys and shows.  Tonight's other guest artist was Roy Kramer from Rantoul, Kansas.  Roy, dressed in a flamboyant, but tasteful western outfit did a super job singing "Truck Driving Man," Carl Smith's "Are You Teasing Me," "Rose Of San Antone" and "Back On The Texas Plains."  But it was "Candy Kisses" that really did it for this audience!  Roy, with a portable mike, came off stage and began passing out Hershey Kisses to all the ladies in the audience he could possibly reach.  As he began to sing Elvis' "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You," he paused on the front row, handed our Aunt Bernice several foil-wrapped Hershey Kisses and held her hand as he sang.  She melted faster than the candy!  Roy told us later that he performs at many local nursing homes and care centers as well as the opry.  What a nice man and what an enjoyable performance!  The show closed with the gospel portion: Don Roberts singing "Peace In The Valley" and Jody Jackson "Keep Your Eyes On The Ark."  (Below) Roy Kramer performs with the Hitchin Post Opry Band.

 

 

 

TONITE IT'S BACK TO THE CASS COUNTY FAIR AND THE ANNUAL GOSPEL SHOW

We decided to return to Pleasant Hill this evening and attend the annual Gospel show which is held at the picturesque pavillion on the city square.  There were three distinctly different groups featured here tonight, but each with the same message of hope and inspiration.  The weather couldn't have been any better and the music was wonderful.  The first group consisted of three friends from the Independence/Blue Springs area, Shelly Peterson, Debby Stout and Kelly Spencer who called themselves "All The Above"  and have been singing and performing together for the past 8 years.  They sang traditional southern gospel and their harmonizing was awesome on numbers such as: "God's Good," "It Ain't Gonna Worry Me Long," "The Victory's In The Shout," "I'm Traveling Light," "On-Time God," "Jesus Loves Me" and "I'll Fly Away."  Next up was "Gospel Echoes," a country gospel band with two husband/wife teams, Ruby & Tom Standiford and Leo & Sharon Smith with our pal Art Covey.  There was definately some fine picking and singing on old-time gospel songs as well as newer ones such as: "I Learned About Jesus In Grandma's Rockin Chair," "Falling Leaves," "Let's Go Down To The River," Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me Lord," 'I'll Meet You On The Other Side Of Jordan," "Royal Telephone," "It Wasn't Rainin When Noah Built The Ark," "Lay Down Your Heavy Load," "The God Of The Day Is The God Of The Night" and "One Day At A Time."  The third and last group was composed of two sisters, Darla Zook & Ranae Almos and two brothers Calvin and Willard Yoder who call themselves "Jubilee Transfer" and hail from Garden City, MO.  They did such an unbelievable job singing barbershop quartet-type gospel music that you just have to hear it to picture it.  Among their selections were: "I'm Winging My Way Back Home," "My Sins Are Gone," "I'll Hold To The Hand Of My Lord," "I'll Arise," "Jubilee In Heaven," "Little Pine Log Cabin," "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," "Bye Bye Blues," "Crowning" and "What A Morning That Will Be."  It was a great show on a perfect evening and we left feeling blessed.  (Below) Gospel Echoes performs.

 

 

THE 2007 CASS COUNTY FAIR WITH LEROY VAN DYKE & BOBBY BARE!!

 Our site along with this blog is all about oprys and country shows in this area and we weren't about to pass up a chance to see two country music superstars in action this evening.  We arrived at the fairgrounds jusy west of Pleasant Hill early enough that we were able to sample some of the wonderful food at the various booths on the fairgrounds and still had time to visit with a few folks.  KFKF's Debbie Erikson (or Debbie Martin as many of us Big Creek Country Show attendees know her), who we saw and visited with briefly outside the arena entrance before the show, officially welcomed everyone to the 2007 Cass County Fair and opened the show singing our National Anthem.  It was nice seeing Byron Jones of the Northtown Opry who will be hosting a free show at Macklin Park in North Kansas City on July 28th.  We also had the pleasure of meeting Gladys Van Dyke, Leroy's wife and Mr. Ray Simms, the man that Leroy Van Dyke wrote his hit song "Auctioneer" about.  A crowd that we estimated at somewhat over 300 cheered wildly as Debbie introduced Leroy Van Dyke, a member of the Auctioneer Hall of Fame and a professional entertainer since 1956 who has appeared at over 3500 fair dates over the past 51 years!  He started his set with "Goodbye Joanna," Harlan Howard's "She Called Me Baby," "My Window Faces The South," "Slippin' Around," "I Love You So Much," "Heartaches By The Number," "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime," Bob Wills' "Rose Of San Antone" and "I've Got To Have My Baby Back."  Then it was time to remember some old, dear departed friends: Red Foley's "Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy," Marty Robbins' "White Sport Coat" and Roger Miller's "King Of The Road;" reciting our favorite poem "The Touch Of The Master's Hand" and finishing with his two signature songs: "Walk On By" and "Auctioneer."  Leroy's vocals were not only outstanding to say the least, but his band was just awesome!  They are called the Auctioneers and are: Ken McKayliss (keyboards), Earle Heire (electric bass), Paul Oney (drums), Tony Shaffer (steel guitar), our friend Kelly Jones (fiddle) and Leroy's youngest son Ben Van Dyke (lead guitar).  Before break for intermission Leroy, with help from several members of the local FFA and 4H groups, auctioned off a guitar signed by all the musicians.  All proceeds went to help fund FFA & 4H projects in the county.  (see below)

Bobby Bare is nothing short of an icon in country music.  As Leroy said as he introduced him, if Bobby were to sing every hit song he had recorded here tonight, we'd be here until this time tomorrow.  As it turned out, we may not have heard them all, but we heard enough to know Bobby Bare deserves every accolade he got.  We sure got a bang listening to Kristofferson's "Me & Bobby McGee," "Green, Green Grass Of Home," "Drop Kick Me Jesus," "500 Miles From Home," "Four Strong Winds," "Streets Of Baltimore," "Tequila Shiela," "Time" and (Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn."  He mentioned the band he, Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and the late Waylon Jennings had formed called the "Old Dogs" and sang the Shel Silverstein written "Old Dog."  At one point he asked some of the younger members of the audience to come up and help him sing "Singin' In The Kitchen."  Five kids who stayed up late past their bedtime, accepted, much to the delight of the audience. (After all, it's like he said, "I love kids.  Heck, I used to go to school with 'em!) Bobby finished the evening with his smash "Detroit City," "The Winner" and again with help from the kids "Marie Laveau."  Our thanks go out to Terry Wilson, who helped with the super seating arrangements and that magnificent army of volunteers who made all of this possible, and to John and Mary Pettersch, our friends who drove us back and forth and waited patiently while we did our business.  We couldn't have mananged without everyone's help.  (Below)  Bobby Bare and the kids are "Singin' In The Kitchen, Bangin' On The Pots And Pans."

 

 

ANOTHER TUESDAY NITE - ANOTHER FUN TIME AT THE B.K. LOUNGE

It never fails to amaze us how these folks seem to sound better each time and yet only play together this one night out of the week.  As we arrived, Larry Dean began tonight's jam with the Chuck Berry classic "Roll Over Beethovan," "Highway 40 Blues," Elvis' "Don't Be Cruel," Randy Travis' "My Love Is Deeper Than The Holler," Joe Nichols' "Cool To Be A Fool" and "Elvira."  He returned later to sing Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin Boogie," the old Jimmy Rodgers song "California Blues," "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and did just an outstanding job on two Don Williams numbers, "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" and "I Believe In Love."  The band always sounds great with Art Covey and his mandolin and he picked and sang "Royal Telephone" and "Falling Leaves" tonight while Bill Clark played harmonica and sang "My Window Faces The South" for everyone's enjoyment.  Gordon Riley, Lou Moore and the rest of the band did some great instrumental work with "Faded Love," "Gordon's Boogie #1," "Buckaroo," "Honky Tonk" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."  Our favorite singing engineer, Larry Keeler was on hand tonight to sing "Blackboard Of My Heart" and did an absolutely wonderful job on "The Wayward Wind."  It's been awhile since we had seen Sharon Welch and we enjoyed hearing her sing "Satisfied Mind" and "I'll Fly Away."

Garry & Mary Bichelmeyer are always a joy to watch perform and tonight was no exception.  Garry is such a talented songwriter and tonight sang two of his songs, "The Nodaway River" and "Marie" as well as "Fraulein."  Mary, who is the group's bass player, did a great job on "Your Cheating Heart" and "Bill Bailey," then joined Garry for a cool duet of "Black Coffee!"  This caught us by surprise and we'd like to see a lot more of this husband and wife duo team up on more duets.   The show closed with "Goodnight Irene."  (Below) Garry & Mary Bichelmeyer

 

 

BIG BLUEGRASS SHOW JULY 20-21

LOUIE THOMPSON'S GOSPEL OPRY - REMEMBER JESSICA MCCLURE?

Since we were dropping our cousin off at the airport, we decided to continue north on I-29 to St. Joseph, MO and visit Louie Thompson and the Gospel Opry which is located on St. Joe's west side at 2317 S. 11th St. every Saturday evening starting at 7PM.  Louie introduced us to his grandchildren Derek & Denae Gilbert who are visiting from Mesa, Arizona.  Derek proved to be an up and coming musician himself, playing both guitar and harmonica.  He and grandpa Louie started the evening off playing an old Ernest Tubb song "Careless Darling" and he later played a harmonica solo of "When The Saints Go Marching In" and still later picked "Amazing Grace" on his guitar.  Grandpa has every reason to be proud of him.  We enjoyed hearing Louie himself sing a song he wrote some time ago entitled "Since I Made Jesus Mine" to the tune of "Detour."  The second half, he sang  and played "Come And Dine" with his sister Suzie Smith.  Julie Barker played accordian and sang "The Saved" while little 4 yr. old Tyven Schwamp was sure cute as he sang "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."  We remember Roger Harris and his great voice from our last visit here and tonight he entertained the crowd with "What A Glorious Day That Will Be," "Sunday Morning Christian Man" and "This Little Light Of Mine."  We can't say enough about Debbie Schwamp's outstanding job on bass guitar, but this lady can really sing as well!  We enjoyed hearing her great voice on songs such as ""I'll Pray For You," "I Feel Something Good Is Going To Happen," "Two Shoes, A Prayer And A Sinner Saved By Grace" and "Please Search The Book Again."  Glen Samson is nothing short of a genius with stringed instruments and he played a great lead guitar all evening and showed he could sing as well with "His Hand Is Gently Knocking On Your Door," "Don't Overlook Salvation" and "My Savior Didn't Stop At Calvary."  Maxine Reed sang "Fill My Way Everyday With Love," "At Calvary" and "Gathering Flowers For The Master's Bouquet" while Wilma Miller entertained us all with some of her wonderful mountain gospel music:  "Thank You Sweet Jesus," "My Mother's Not Dead" and Kitty Wells' "How Far Is Heaven."

Bobby & Myrtle George are an extremely interesting couple.  Just back from the Osage Beach area at the Lake Of The Ozarks where they entertain, we felt fortunate that we were here to see them tonight.  Myrtle is quite distinctive, playing her "washboard" guitar, a guitar frame with the strings removed and a section of washboard inserted in the guitar body.  She strums this and it makes a very unusual sound.  She also showed us a photo of her doing a Minnie Pearl impression and she looked so similiar it was uncanny.  Bobby is a super singer and is best known for a song he wrote back in 1987, "The Rescue Of Jessica McClure," about the rescuing of a little girl who fell in an old well in Midland, Texas that same year and was finally saved after volunteers dug day and night for 3 days.  We appreciate the fact they did this song for our benefit here tonight as well as "Matthew 24 Is Knocking At The Door" (also penned by Bobby) and "Hallelujah Square."  Thanks to Louie and everyone for the wonderful hospitality.  (Below)  Bobby & Myrtle George perform "The Rescue Of Jessica McClure"

 

 

RHONDA VINCENT'S MUSIC FEATURED ON "AS THE WORLD TURNS"
On Thursday July 5, 2007, The Daytime Soap Opera "As The World Turns" was on location in Branson, MO where the character Gwen (played by Michael
Landon's daughter Jennifer) is set to perform at the Andy Williams theatre.  At the opening of the show, the characters are walking around Branson and Rhonda's recording of "All American Bluegrass Girl" is being played!!

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are on the ballot for the following nominations
for the 2007 IBMA Awards:


Entertainer of the Year
RHONDA VINCENT & THE RAGE


Vocal Group of the Year
RHONDA VINCENT & THE RAGE


Instrumental Group of the Year
RHONDA VINCENT & THE RAGE

Song of the Year
"All American Bluegrass Girl" - RHONDA VINCENT


Album of the Year

"All American Bluegrass Girl" - RHONDA VINCENT


Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
"Jesus Built A Bridge" - RHONDA VINCENT
"Kneel & Pray" - MICKEY HARRIS


Instrumental Album of the Year
"Wow Baby" HUNTER BERRY - Upper Management Music


Recorded Event of the Year
KENNY INGRAM - Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular
HUNTER BERRY - Wow Baby

Male Vocalist of the Year
JOSH WILLIAMS


Female Vocalist of the Year
RHONDA VINCENT

Instrumental Categories
KENNY INGRAM - banjo
MICKEY HARRIS - bass
HUNTER BERRY - fiddle
JOSH WILLIAMS - guitar
RHONDA VINCENT - mandolin
JOSH WILLIAMS - mandolin


Upcoming Rhonda Vincent & The Rage tour dates:

7/13
Buena Vista, VA
Rhonda Vincent's Birthday Bash
Performance with Nothin' Fancy - Glen Maury Park
http://www.glenmaurypark.com/

7/14
Cleveland, TN
White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival
http://www.whiteoakbluegrass.com/

7/18
Alexandria, VA
Lee County Park Amphitheatre
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/lee-nights.htm

7/19
Mineral, VA
Mineral Bluegrass Festival
http://www.aandabluegrass.com/Festivals/MineralBluegrassFestival.html

7/21 & 22

Darrington, WA
Darrington Bluegrass Festival
http://www.glacierview.net/bluegrass/


7/26
Covington, GA
1:00 pm - KROGER GRAND OPENING

7/27
Columbus, OH
MACC "Musicians Against Childhood Cancer"
http://www.bluegrassclassic.com/star.html

7/28
Indianapolis, IN
NASCAR

7/29
Steelville, MO
Meramec Music Theater
http://www.misn.com/MMT/schedule07.html

FAMILY & FRIENDS ARE ENTERTAINED ROYALLY AT DIRKS THIS EVENING

We picked our cousin Suzanne up at the airport earlier this afternoon (she lives and works in Helsinki, Finland and is back in the states for a short vacation) and decided we'd invite her and Aunt Bernice to join us for dinner and to see Mike O'Roark and his group play the first hour of tonight's jam session.  It was nice that John & Mary Pettersch and friend Jim Bledsoe were along as well.  The place was literally packed although we got there early, but we got a nice table with a great view of the stage, nevertheless.  Mike's band, which consists of C.J. Sanders on bass, Roger Bough playing lead guitar and harmonica and Don Wiser on drums was joined tonight by Loren Reid on banjo who, we thought, sounded super.   Mike sang and played some great tunes tonight, among them were Hank Sr.'s "Mind Your Own Business," Tom T. Hall's "Pamela Brown," "Today I Started Loving You Again," "Did She Mention My Name" which was recorded by Gordon Lightfoot," "You Can Feel It In Your Soul," "Sailor's Dream" and "Blue Moon Of Kentucky."  He did impressions of George Jones and Johnny Cash, singing "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "Folsom Prison Blues."  As the clock approached 9PM, he closed his set with the Carter Family's "You Are My Flower" and his signature song "Free Born Man." 

We hated to leave, but our aunt who will be 90 in November, tires easily, so the evening came to a halt.  But not before Mike was kind enough to pose for a picture with the two ladies.  What a classy guy!  Try and make Dirks some Wednesday night -- you'll have a grand time.  (Below) Cousin Suzanne Louis, Mike O'Rouke and our aunt, Bernice Thomas

 

 

A PACKED HOUSE WELCOMES ART COVEY BACK, ENJOYS ANNIE & SANDY AS WELL

The place was packed to the rafters when we arrived at the B.K. Lounge tonight (actually the Burger King Restaurant at 95th & Quivera Rd., Lenexa, KS) and we knew Art Covey was back from his travels as we heard his mandolin picking out "Redwing" the minute we hit the door.  We always enjoy hearing Art and he sang and picked two of our other favorites as well: "Royal Telephone" and "Rebel Soldier."  Gordon Riley and the band played some fine instrumentals to the delight of the big crowd and some eager line dancers among them with "Back Home Again In Indiana," Lester Flatt's "Flatt Did It," "Gordon's Boogie #1" and "Honky Tonk."  Mary Bichelmeyer did a great job playing bass guitar tonight as well as using her singing abilities on "Crazy Dreams," Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" and "Bill Bailey."  Husband Garry Bichelmeyer did outstanding as always singing the Johnny Russell classic "Catfish John," Randy Travis' "Pickin Up Bones" and one of his compositions "Marie."  Annie Little also sang one of Garry's songs entitled "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind" as well as "Somewhere Between" and "Let Me Be There."  I wish everyone could hear that song that Garry wrote; it's one of the best we've heard and someone ought to pick up on it.  Jay Holmgren joined Annie a little later for a duet of "I Saw The Light."  Drummer Lou Moore did a "bang up" on "Wipeout" with the help of the band.

Larry Dean, who will be appearing at Annie's Country Jubilee August 18th, sang some crowd favorites here tonight with "Bar In Bakersfield," Merle's "Big City," "My Own Kind Of Hat," "Since I Met You Baby," Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Shake Rattle & Roll," "Going Where The Lonely Go," Joe Nichols' "Cool To Be A Fool," Tracy Byrd's "Drinkin' Bone" and "California Blues."  It's always a genuine pleasure to see and hear Sandy Barnett and tonight she gave the crowd a good dose of her talent singing "Don't Be Angry," "Truck Driving Man," Little Jimmy Dickins' "I'm Little But I'm Loud" and "Satin Sheets."  What a nice way to spend a Tuesday night!  (Below) Sandy Barnett belts out "I'm Little But I'm Loud" for the Tuesday night crowd.

 

 

MORE VERNON OXFORD LINKS
Those of you who remember Vernon Oxford, the man that was "too country" for the likes of Nashville back in the 60's will enjoy some new links that we found on the web...and even if the name doesn't ring a bell, if you love country music as much as we do, you'll probably enjoy them as well.  First is Vernon singing "Roll Big Wheels Roll" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si1nFGF2OYg and the second is him singing "This Woman Is Mine" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoy7iAPFYvs&mode=related&search= and the Amazon.com site advertising his boxed set of CDs entitled "Keeper Of The Flame" http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Flame-Vernon-Oxford/dp/B000001B2D  CMT also has a biography of Vernon at this location http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/oxford_vernon/bio.jhtml  Vernon also has a personal website you might want to check out: http://www.vernonoxfordcountry.com/  Hope you enjoy his distinctive sound and see why many have compared him with Hank Sr. even though he was born in the Ozarks near Rogers, Arkansas.