*********R.I.P.*****THE BURLINGTON OPRY*****R.I.P.**********
We got an e-mail from Dave Wooge informing us that the Burlington Opry is closing it's doors.  He went on to explain that this was a business decision made in the best interests of Dave and his family.  We fully realize these decisions have to be made and this is certainly one that was made for the right reason, but we want Dave to know that we'll never forget his, Stephanie's and the girls, Katie and Erin's smiling faces that greeted us each time we were fortunate enough to be able to take in one of their performances.  Our best wishes also go out to the wonderful band which shared their awesome talents there, each and every show.  May the Good Lord flood whatever path you choose with sunshine and flowers.

A GREAT SHOW AT THE BK TONIGHT FEATURING "EXTRA SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST" DAVE PURCELL

With the absence of Larry Dean, who is on a well-deserved vacation, it was decided to recruit our friend and awesome vocalist Dave Purcell to fill in and handle most of the vocal duties tonight, dubbing him the "extra special guest artist."  David surely gave a splendid account of himself here tonight as he began the festivities with a George Jones blockbuster hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" followed closely by the Buck Owens/Dwight Yoakum hit "Streets Of Bakersfield" and Keith Whitley's "When Each Tear You Cry Becomes A Rose."  David returned just after the break to entertain everyone with Alan Jackson's "Just Playin' Possum," Willie's "Why Should I Have To Choose," a Garry Bichelmeyer tune, "Northern Star," an uncanny sound-alike of Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" and George Strait's "This Is Where The Cowboy Rides Away."  Thanks to Dave for being here tonight, you always leave me wanting to hear "just one more!" 

After this great band, including lead guitarist Gordon Riley and drummer John Malone got the feet pattin', the hands clappin' and the dancers shufflin' with a super instrumental of "Honky Tonk," "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie, KS did us the honor of playing our favorite fiddle tune, "Ragtime Annie" followed by Bob Wills classics "Milk Cow Blues" and "Roly Poly," which he both played and sang!  Mary Bichelmeyer's beautiful voice was put to good use as she sang Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" and one of our favorites, "Sentimental Old You" (thanks, Mary!) before multi-talented husband Garry Bichelmeyer stepped to the mike to sing an old R&R classic, "Stand By Me," John Prine's "Souvenirs" and a bit later it was Jimmy Buffet's "Margaretville," two of his original compositions, "Marie" and a tune that has become known fondly as "The Dead Horse Song," a whimiscal look at life in Custer's 7th Cavalry, Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and a great banjo solo of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."  It was wonderful seeing Art Covey again and listening to him sing and play his mandolin.  Tonight Art chose some of our favorites, "Rebel Soldier," Darrell McCall's "There's Still A Lot Of Love In San Antone," "Let Me Be There" and the beautiful "Kentucky Waltz" with Marvin doing the vocal duties.  Mary Bichelmeyer closed this fun-packed evening with a wonderful gospel number, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."  (Below) Dave Purcell entertains the crowd at the BK Lounge 10-05-10

 

 

WHAT A MAGNIFICENT DAY FOR A DELICIOUS DINNER & A WONDERFUL GOSPEL SHOW AT ANNIE'S COUNTRY JUBILEE

The weather was simply beautiful as we stepped out of John & Mary Pettersch's car, who kindly offered to drive us to the festivities at Annie's today and entered the theatre lobby to find personnel from Cutter's BBQ, which is located in Eudora, KS, who catered the affair, and others busily setting up tables & chairs for the afternoon's sit-down dinner. Featuring melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket, fresh sliced turkey, delicious slow-cooked baked beans, potato salad and some of the best cole slaw we have ever sampled, this was all capped off with glasses of cold ice tea or punch and was throughly enjoyed by everyone that we talked to. 

After a bit when everyone had an opportunity to let their food settle a bit and were joined in the auditorium by those who missed out on that great meal and chose to see only the show itself, probably due to church or other commitments, the curtains parted and David George, Annie's musical director and lead guitarist stepped forward to welcome the big crowd of around 300 people singing the old Charles H. Gabriel hymn "Send The Light."  David was to return a bit later with the Hank Williams classic "Dust On The Bible" and a number most recently recorded by Rhonda Vincent, "A Heart That Will Never Break Again."  Annie Dunavin herself, greeted everyone with an old gospel number written by a Choctaw Indian by the name of Wallis Willis around 1862 entitled "Swing Low (Sweet Chariot) and Lee Ann Womack's "Get Up In Jesus' Name."  A bit later it was Dottie Rambo's "Sheltered In The Arms Of God" and a phenominal job of Patsy Cline's "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."  Pretty Ronni Ward was next to take over the vocal duties and she certainly picked some great numbers, beginning with Detrick Haddon's "Count Your Blessings," the Isaac's "If That Don't Make You Wanna Go" and with David and husband Ted Ward (also the band's great bass guitarist) providing the harmony, Johnny Cash's "I Saw A Man."  Ronni returned the second half to sing two of her beautiful self-written gospel numbers "Walk On The Water" and "Pray" before an awe-inspiring performance of "Blessed Assurance," an old composition recorded by Alan Jackson and many, many others. Annie's emcee and possessor of one of this area's finest male voices, Jim Winters got a big hand as he launched into Josh Turner's "Long Black Train," Clay Walker's "Chain Of Love" and a bit later the Oak Ridge Boys' "Baptism Of Jesse Taylor" and CCR's "Man Walking On The Water."  Great stuff, Jim!

"Fiddlin'" Marvin Bredemeier opened the second half of today's show, stepping to the mike and singing the old gospel number "I Saw The Light."  We have heard Marv sing many times at the BK Lounge, but this was the first time we've heard him on the big stage and we thought he did a wonderful job as did our friend Fred Uzzell who played both his Remington triple-deck steel guitar and Dobro here this afternoon, adding such style and grace to each performance. We have always enjoyed listening to gospel quartets since we can remember, marveling in their close harmony and the way their voices blend.  Fortunately we were blessed to have one of the finest gospel quartets around this afternoon, the ACJQ (Annie's Country Jubilee Quartet) which consists of David George, Ted Ward, Jim Winters & drummer Steve Straub. Beginning with the Statler's "Feeling Fine" it was a crowd favorite, "The Lighthouse" followed by a number made popular by the Cathedrals, "Thanks To Calvary" and Squire Parson's "Buelahland."  Steve Staub grew up around gospel music, touring with his family throughout the United States, performing at various revivals, tent shows, festivals, churches and the like.  Today, he transmitted love and joy as he sang a solo of Christy Lane's "One Day At A Time."  At one point in tonight's festivities, David George related that when I first arrived here this afternoon, I jokingly inquired if they were going to play my favorite gospel tune.  When I told him what it was, he said he had never heard it and I merely winked and told him I was just kidding, not to worry about it.  Unbeknowst to me, David asked the entire band if they knew the song and Steve said he knew a little of it but couldn't remember all the words.  Believe it or not, they took the time to look it up on the Internet, print the lyrics and we suspect took a look at U Tube to listen to the melody and Steve Staub and this marvelous band played and sang this beautiful gospel number written by Stuart Hamblin and recorded many years ago by Tennessee Ernie Ford.  We thought we might share some of the lyrics of "It Is No Secret" with you.... 

The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through.

Someone slipped and fell.  Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew

But do not be disheartened, for I have news for you.

It is no secret, what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret, what God can do

 

There is no night for in His light you never walk alone

Always feel at home, wherever you may roam

There is no power can conquer you when God is on your side.

Take Him at His promise, don't run away and hide

 

It is no secret, what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret, what God can do……

 

Thanks David, Steve and all for your kindness and thoughtfulness.  It meant a lot to me.

Tonight's special guest artist may only rise 47 in. from the ground, but Duke Mason's talents, abilities and charisma are piled higher than man can reach.  Although known far and wide for his Elvis impersonations, Duke confided in us that he had also grown up in a family that sang spiritual music and his first love had always been gospel.  Duke began his set today with the spiritual "By And By" followed by Johnny Cash's "I Was There When It Happened," a Albert E. Brumley number recorded by Marty Stuart, "Give Me Just A Little More Time" and a couple of great Elvis gospel numbers "Milky White Ways" and "The Chapel."  Returning the second half, it was more Elvis gospel with "Lead Me On Lord," a tune written by Larry Gatlin and recorded by Elvis, "Help Me," Andre' Crouch's "Through It All" and after tumultous applause brought him back, an encore of Rosemary Clooney's "This Old House."  Today's other special guest artist is also well-known to opry goers in this area.  Jack Wicker, who hails from the Richmond, MO area and whose keyboard talents and awesome vocals are legendary as much for his gospel performances as those of a more conventional vein.  We don't believe we've ever met anyone who enjoyed singing gospel more than Jack does.  Jack began with one of the greatest gospel numbers ever, "I'll Fly Away" followed by T. Graham Brown's "Could You Help Me Turn The Wine Back Into Water," George Jones' "I Know A Man Who Can" and after a standing ovation, an encore of Hovie Lister's "Goodby World Goodbye."  Jack returned later with the Statler's "Turn Your Radio On," Jack & Audrey Williams' "Could You Walk A Mile In That Man's Shoes" and just an amazing job of "How Great Thou Art."  Annie Dunavin closed this tremendous gospel presentation singing "Amazing Grace" to the melody of "House Of The Rising Sun."  We must tell you that we left tonight completely and emotionally drained.....and LOVING every minute of it.  (Below)   top - Today's guest artists -- (l.) Duke Mason and (r.) Jack Wicker  bottom - We pose with the gang for a quick pic (l. to r.) Annie Dunavin, David George, Ronni Ward, Steve Straub, Ted Ward, myself, Miss Jean, Fred Uzzell, Jim Winters & Marvin Bredemeier

 

 

 

*****UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO CANCEL OUR TRIP TO COUNTRY PICKIN' OPRY
Although we are somewhat better, we decided we were just too weak to make the trip to Richmond, MO and attend Leland & Carole Jones' Country Pickin' Opry.  Our apologies to them for the late notice and we hope to be in a position soon to pay these great folks a visit.

******WE ARE UNABLE TO VISIT THE B. K. TONITE DUE TO ILLNESS

We are  sorry we were unable to attend the B.K. tonight.  We have been very ill since our last medical procedure.  We want to thank all of you for your calls, e-mails and prayers. We hope to be returning soon.

SAD NEWS FROM BIG CREEK - THE PASSING OF DENNIS DITTEMORE'S MOTHER

******WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND BYRON JONES' NORTHTOWN OPRY W/BILL "GOOFER" ATTERBERRY DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES*****
We had a serious reaction to our latest medical procedure and were unable to attend Byron's Northtown Opry tonight.  Our apologies to Byron, Donna and all those who are involved with the show.  We look forward to our next visit.

GREAT COUNTRY MUSIC AT THE BK TONITE PLUS A SPECIAL BD CELEBRATION FOR A SPECIAL COUPLE

We barely had time to get settled in our customary seats when Larry Dean kicked the evening off with the old Bob Wills/Asleep At The Wheel standard "Miles And Miles Of Texas" at the request of some visitors from the Lone Star state.  Next up was Merle Haggard's "I Had A Beautiful Time" and somewhat later another Hag tune, "Mama Tried" and Josh Turner's "Just To Be Your Man."  Gordon Riley, the group's great lead guitarist showed his vocal abilities off on Hank Thompson's "Red Necks, White Sox And Blue Ribbon Beer" then joined the rest of the band, including drummer John Malone in a great instrumental of "Freight Train."  "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, the group's awesome fiddle player who also plays fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday got the dancers moving as he launched into a Big Band number, "Jersey Bounce."  Marvin followed up with an old Bob Wills tune "Milk Cow Blues," "The Waltz You Saved For Me" and the jaunty "Eighth Of January."  It's always such a pleasure to hear Mary Bichelmeyer sing those country standards, her soft, mellow voice seems to caress each lyric.  Tonight it was Patsy Cline's "I'm Blue Again," Kathy Mattea's "Walk The Way The Wind Blows" and Vince Gill's "Don't Come Crying To Me."  Husband Garry Bichelmeyer was in fine voice himself tonight, singing "Someone To Turn To," Johnny Russell's "Catfish John," one of his own cleverly written tunes, which has become known fondly as simply "The Dead Horse Song,"  Guy Clark's "Randall Knife" and crowd favorite, "Kansas City."  David Purcell also did a marvelous job tonight singing Alan Jackson's "Playing Possum," "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," George Jones' "Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong" and Willie's "Help Me Make It Through The Night."

It was great seeing Annie Little again and even better listening to her sing Suzy Boggess' "Somewhere Between" and "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind," a Garry Bichelmeyer tune.  Ron Fine was also in the audience tonight and we enjoyed, as usual, his beautiful vocals, tonight Hank Snow's "Most Of All I Love You Cause You're You," Ricky Skaggs' "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" and "The Kentucky Waltz."  A special couple celebrated their September birthdays together at intermission, Henry Busler who will be 94 on September 27th and Bertha Kanning who was 90 years old on September 14th!  Best wishes go out to this great couple and may they enjoy many, many more!  Larry Dean closed tonight's festivities with Terry Smith's "Far Side Banks Of Jordan." (Below)  A "special" couple - Henry Busler & Bertha Kanning

 

 

TONIGHT WE'RE AT ANNIES COUNTRY JUBILEE TO ENJOY MATT RYAN'S GREAT VOCALS - A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE BY DONNA HENSLEY & THE WORLD-CLASS SINGING OF MISS ANNIE DUNAVIN HERSELF

Perhaps the intermittent rainstorms and nasty weather kept a few cautious souls in tonight, but they certainly missed a fun-packed evening here at the beautiful Annie's Country Jubilee Theatre located at 4th & Main Sts. in Tonganoxie, KS.  "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier kicked the evening's festivities off with our favorite fiddle tune "Ragtime Annie" before Annie Dunavin welcomed everyone with her usual "Come On In!"  She returned later in the set to sing Kathy Mattea's "Burning Old Memories," Emmylou Harris' "I'll Go Steppin' Too" and a great old bluegrass tune "Hide Away."  Annie returned the second half with a Heather Myles song "Playin' Every Honky Tonk In Town" and Leroy Van Dyke's "Just Walk On By."  Of course, no one sings a Patsy Cline song like Miss Annie and tonight it was "Loved And Lost Again."  She was to also join drummer Steve Straub in a great duet made famous several years ago by David Frizzell & Shelly West, "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma."  David George, Annie's musical director and awesome lead guitarist showed his vocal abilities off as well tonight with Diamond Rio's "Mirror Mirror," Dave Dudley's "Truck Driving Man," the Bellamy Bros. "If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body" and Alabama's "She's A Lady."  Ronni Ward gave everyone a treat as she sang Loretta Lynn's "You Ain't Woman Enough," Brenda Lee's "Break It To Me Gently," Eddy Arnold's "Blessed Assurance" and Pam Tillis' "Maybe It Was Memphis."  The group's great steel guitar and dobro player, Fred Uzzell got a big ovation as he and the rest of the band including bass player Ted Ward took off on "Fireball Mail" and somewhat later the beautiful "Blue Spanish Eyes."  Marvin was to also return with another old fiddle favorite, "Back Up And Push." 

It's almost impossible to believe that Matt Ryan didn't begin singing seriously until almost 2 years ago when an on the job injury sidelined him for a spell.  His God-given talents certainly surfaced here tonight as Matt showed a variety of singing styles with Jamey Johnson's "In Color," Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," David Allen Coe's "The Ride," Johnny Cash's whimsical "One Piece At A Time," George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Josh Turner's "Long Black Train."  It's alway such a gas watching and listening to Donna Hensley perform!  She was certainly her usual ball of energy, entertaining the open-eyed audience with "Hello," Lee Ann Womak's "The Fool," the beautiful "Unchained Melody" and Patty Loveless' "Blame It On Your Heart."  Returning the second half, it was a Crystal Gayle tune "Why Have You Left The One (You Left Me For), The Wilkerson's "26 Cents" and another Patty Loveless hit "Timber!"  Steve Straub closed the evening's festivities with the great gospel number "Thanks To Calvery."  (Below) l. to r.  Donna Hensley, Fred Uzzell, Matt Ryan

 

 

TONITE AT KNUCKLEHEADS IT'S "LOADED RODEO" & THE AWESOME TALENTS OF GRAND OLE OPRY STAR COLLIN RAYE

What an absolutely lovely evening it was to enjoy oneself at an outdoor venue such as Knuckleheads, the cool temperatures a pleasant change from the summer's brutal heat just past.  This entertainment complex, which is located at 2715 Rochester in Kansas City's east bottoms actually has both outdoor and indoor stages to accomodate concert goers in inclimate and unseasonable weather.  A nice-sized crowd gathered here to enjoy tonight's entertainment, culinary treats from the great snack bar and their favorite adult beverage.

The opening act here tonight called themselves "Loaded Rodeo," but all were very familiar faces and top-notch musicians from this area.  Angie Larson, who organized this group, plays keyboard, sings and is a great songwriter to boot and husband Bill Larson, who handled the drums here tonight joined one of this area's most astonishing lead guitarists and vocalists, Elijah Chastain, bassist (Rev.) Carl Butler (whose Gospel Lounge meets here at Knuckleheads every Wednesday night) on bass and the current Kansas Steel Guitar champion  Bobby DeMoss, who all play in the band at the Middle Creek Theatre near Louisburg, KS every Saturday night.  Add two of this area's most incredible vocalists, Mike Bowman and Jamie Gumm Ogle and this will give you an idea of the top-caliber band which opened tonight's festivities.  Angie kicked off tonight's performance with Miranda Lambert's "White Lies" and returned later with Barbara Mandrell's "I Wish That I Could Fall In Love Today" and a great duet with Elijah of Gene Watson/Rhonda Vincent's "Staying Together."  Jamie was absolutely wonderful tonight as well, singing Trick Pony's "It's A Heartache," Ronnie Milsap's "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," Connie Smith's "Just One Time" and Carrie Underwood's "I Told You So."  If you love the old traditional sounds of country music as we do, then Mike Bowman is your man.  His ability to get the upmost out of a country ballad and make it seem as if he is singing directly to you personally, is legendary in these parts and tonight he began with a Darrell McCall tune, "Dreams Of A Dreamer," then it was an old Webb Pierce number, "There Stands The Glass," Conway Twitty's "Fifteen Years Ago," Josh Turner's "Just To Be Your Man," Joe Diffie's "Home" and Johnny Paycheck's "Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets."  Great stuff!!  Carl Butler lent his talents to singing a fast-paced tongue twister entitled "Ode To The Road" before Elijah just played some incredible licks on his electric guitar as did Carl and Bobby as the entire band joined in singing "Walking In Jerusalem (Just Like John)" to close the set.

If you have never heard Collin Raye sing on television or seen him perform live, you owe it to yourself to do so.  His beautiful, perfectly-executed pearl-like tones are mesmerizing and addictive to say the least and there were many Collin Raye fans in the audience tonight who traveled quite a distance to see this performance. We thought it such a wise decision for him to use only accoustical backups instead of his full band, as we got the full value of his miraculous voice with Curtis Fontaine on flattop guitar who hit some serious licks here tonight and Jamie Treachner on keyboards who is one of Nashville's most prolific songwriters as well.  Collin began his set with the 1998 Radney Foster penned "Anyone Else," then it was his huge hit "Little Red Rodeo" (which drove the audience wild!), "Little Rock," 1999's "I Can Still Feel You," "I Get What I Need" and "One Boy One Girl." For a change of pace, Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" was next with "I Think About You," 1992's "That's My Story" and "Every Second."  Collin got a big ovation as he launched into Merle Haggard's "Ramblin Man" and followed that with "City Of New Orleans," "On The Verge" and the song that started it all for Collin back in 1991 and still his most requested "Love, Me."  The audience wouldn't let him quit there, demanding an encore and Collin returned to sing "My Kinda Girl" to riotious applause.

There was an incredibly long line at the CD and meet & greet lines after the show, but we hung around until after all the hubbub and took a few minutes with this Grand Ole Opry star to recall his appearance at a show in 2005 (we believe) when we saw him at the Opry in Nashville.  He remembered the show very well as he had family and friends urging him on from the balcony.  He is very a gracious and super-nice person and we look forward to seeing him perform whenever we can.  (Below) Country superstar Collin Raye with Pete Saiger, Knuckleheads' sound technician.