Although the Middle Creek Theatre has officially closed it's doors for the season (will reopen March 13, 2010), Bill & Brenda Harris decided to hold this special event tonight to help out a friend, Carl Butler who is Middle Creek's resident bass player and is a great all-round entertainer, organizes & emcees the Gospel Lounge held each Wednesday night at Knuckleheads and, along with wife Sharon, ministers the New Song Christian Fellowship located in KC's Northland each Sunday. Carl and his family have undergone tremendous financial strains recently due to the health issues faced by his mother Bernice, who was just released from the hospital after suffering a recent heart attack. The outpouring of love and support for Carl and family by not only the many musicians who contributed their time and talent here this evening, but the big crowd of country music lovers who chose to come out and support Carl and his family was heartwarming to say the least.
Emcee and lead guitar Elijah Chastain welcomed everyone and began the evening's entertainment with a Skip Ewing song, "My Name Is Christmas Carol," then introduced one of Middle Creek's three great female singers, Barbara Walker and her husband R. J. Barbara began the set with Sara Evans' "Walk Out Backwards" and Crystal Gayle's "Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For" and was accompanied by R. J. on a Gordon Lightfoot tune, "Song For A Winter's Night." R. J. did a terrific job himself as he played and sang George Strait's "Troubador" for the enthusastic crowd. It's been quite a spell since we've had the pleasure of seeing and listening to Andy Lindberg sing, but we'll always remember what an outstanding vocalist he is and tonight he wowed this crowd with a couple of Vince Gill chartbusters, "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away," "Pocket Full Of Gold" and Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." Angie Larson, who not only has played keyboard here for many years, but is an outstanding vocalist in her own right and tonight, sporting a brand-spanking new rhinestone-studded belt, looked as good as she sounded as she sang "How Can I Forget" and Dottie West's "Don't Touch Me." It's always such a pleasure to see A. J. Cronk (he plays with Pat Irvin as part of Tater & the Gravy Train each Wednesday night at Harry's Country Club. They are off this month, but will return in January) and tonight he did a bang-up job picking and singing Merle's "Working Man Blues" and Sawyer Brown's "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" (he also did a verse John Anderson style). Jamie Gumm-Ogle's vocal qualities are almost legendary and tonight she sang both Connie Smith's "Ain't Had No Lovin'" and Carrie Underwood's "I Told You So" beautifully before introducing the man himself, Carl Butler. Carl sped things up a bit with "Louisiana Saturday Night" then dedicated to his mother, her favorite gospel number "Look For Me." Middle Creek's outstanding steel guitar player, Bobby DeMoss closed the first half with "Steel Guitar Rag."
Elijah kicked off the second half with a Johnny Bush tune "What A Way To Live," then it was an awesome instrumental of Ray Stevens' "Misty" before introducing good friend Buddy Ring. Buddy got a big audience response as he picked and sang a Charlie Louvin classic "Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep" and Ray Price's "Sweet Memories." John Nichols, who, with Carl, plays a big part in the success of the Gospel Lounge each Wednesday night sang "You Are My Sunshine" and with Carl & Angie providing the harmony, Merle Haggard's "Natural High." Brad Meadows showed his prowess behind the drums with a great job of "Wipeout" and then gave the appreciative audience a taste of his vocal abilities, singing Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight." Mike Bowman, whose long-awaited CD has just been released, dropped in tonight as well and brought down the house with George Jones' "The Race Is On," Merle's "If We Make It Through December" and Webb Pierce's "There Stands The Glass." We didn't have much of a chance to visit with Mike afterwards (he was busy signing CDs), but understand he will be at Big Creek New Year's Eve if you would like to purchase his new CD.
Barbara & R. J.'s 13 year-old daughter, Maddie Walker showed her keyboard skills, playing "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree" and then it was Barbara singing Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas," Angie's "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" and Jamie with "Oh Holy Night." Mike Bowman returned to sing Ricky Skagg's "New Star Shining" before Carl & Jamie blended their voices beautifully on one of our favorite gospel numbers, "The Lighthouse." The whole gang including Maddie & Jake Walker and Emma & Aidan Ogle closed this stupendous evening with "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." Over $1100 was raised for Carl's family here tonight, but if you couldn't make it and would like to contribute it would be very much appreciated. Please mail those contributions to: Carl Butler, 600 NE 101st St., Kansas City, MO 64155. Although Middle Creek will be closed for the next couple of months plus, other events will be held at the theatre and several suprises are planned for next season. For more information check out their website at: http://www.rutladeroutpost.com/opry.htm (Below) top - Rev. Carl Butler sings "Look For Me" center - Emcee Elijah Chastain sings "What A Way To Live" bottom - Mike Bowman sings "If We Make It Through December"