Friday, January 29, 2010

GRINTER BARN JAMBOREE
JANUARY 28, 2010


The Jamboree at Grinter Barn last night was a huge success. By show time, the staff at Grinter was busily searching for more chairs and seating places for the capacity crowd that had gathered. After a delicious dinner of Chicken Rice Casserole served by the ladies of Grinter House; special guest Larry Smith and the band opened what proved to be a rousing show. The appreciative audience did not hold back in showing their appreciation and the dancers filled dance area all evening. In the second half Ron Fine came up and entertained with his Great singing voice. We really enjoyed hearing Ron and look forward seeing him again.

Larry Dean and wife Rosie are still vacationing in south Texas so Larry Smith will capably fill in again Tuesday at the BK Lounge.

Gordon briefly discussed our upcoming journey to Concordia, KS for another concert at Brown's Grand Theater. Please be sure to get your name on the sheet if you are interested in riding a bus to the concert. If enough people sign up, we will charter a bus. More information on times and prices will follow as soon as available.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

BK LOUNGE
JANUARY 26, 2010


Once again it was a pleasure to welcome an enthusiastic standing room only crowd to the BK Lounge last night. It didn't take long for the Stranger Creek Band with Special guest Larry Smith filling in for the vacationing Larry Dean to fill the dance floor. Garry, Mary and Marvin were in top form after their cruise last week and performing with the group from Annie's Jamboree while on board ship. Several members from the audience had also gone on the cruise and all said it was a very memorable experience they would not soon forget. Dave Purcell, always a favorite, sang a couple of songs for the appreciative crowd. Gordon brought down the house with a rousing rendition of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" on his flat top guitar followed by "Black Mountain Rag" by him and Marvin. Another very special guest was Arnie Johnson, who performed magnificently as usual. Also, we had a couple of guests new to yours truly; Roger Lovelac and Howard Rogers both were outstanding on their songs and we look forward to seeing both of them again.

It was nice to get to share a few words with Roger Hawkins of MO-KAN OPRY.
Roger introduced us to Jim Bledsoe of "Green Earth Signs" who sponsors the Stranger Creek Band on Roger's web site.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

JANUARY 12, 2010
BIG NIGHT AT THE BK LOUNGE


My goodness, who would have expected such a crowd at the BK Lounge last night. In spite of the weather not yet being perfect, the large crowd had the Lounge almost bursting at the seams. Opening the show was Arnie Johnson filling in for the still vacationing Larry Dean. Arnie and the rest of the Stranger Creek Band put on an outstanding performance. The dancers were filling the dance area, the aisles, the back dining room and even some were dancing between the tables. When Art Covey, ably assisted by Ron Fine began the closing number, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" several members of the audience put on their coats, but hardly anyone left until the last chord was struck. We certainly look forward to Arnie returning soon.

There will be no show at the BK Lounge next Tuesday, January 19 due to several band members being on vacation. We will return to the Lounge the following Tuesday, January 26. Tentatively, Larry Smith will join us then. We look forward to seeing Larry again.

The following is being reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY.COM through the courtesy of Roger Hawkins

Despite the chilly conditions, the BK was literally swamped with country music lovers and dancers this evening and late comers (like ourselves) were frantically searching for parking places amid the snow piles and icy lot conditions. We managed to find a spot at the back of the lot, nuzzled up against a snow bank and just as we opened the door, the band was playing the opening strains of "Gordon's Boogie," their unofficial theme song. Tonight found the group's lead singer, Larry Dean taking a well deserved vacation and Lawrence, KS's Arnie Johnson, a long-time area musician & band leader aptly filling in. Arnie began the evening with Hank Sr.'s "I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You," "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again" and Charlie Pride's "Crystal Chandelier." Arnie returned later with Lefty Frizzell's "I Never Go Around Mirrors," Keith Whitley's "Somewhere Between," Jimmy Rodgers' "T For Texas," Gene Watson's "Paper Rosie," "Walkin' The Dog," Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" and an Elvis Presley classic, "That's All Right Mama." Lead guitarist Gordon Riley also chose to sing an Elvis tune, "Big Boss Man," much to the delight of the audience, then he and the rest of the band including John Malone on drums teamed up on "Wheels," "Honky Tonk" and "Back Home Again In Indiana" as the floor was literally covered with dancers. "Mighty" Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie, KS showed his vocals talents off as well tonight with "Rubber Dolly" and Bob Wills' "Right Or Wrong." He was to return later with "Tennessee Waltz" and another Wills classic, "Milk Cow Blues."

David Purcell is always a crowd favorite and tonight he put on his best Willie voice to sing "Funny How Time Slips Away,' then it was a Garry Bichelmeyer song, "Northern Star," another Willie - "Remember Me" and "I Wonder How Many There Would Be." Art Covey and his mandolin were joined tonight by good friend Ron Fine on his guitar and together they did a beautiful job singing and playing "Falling Leaves," "Now And Then There's A Fool Such As I," "Rebel Soldier" and "Frauline." Mary Bichelmeyer did her usual fine vocal treatment on "Your Cheating Heart" and Gordon with help from Dave sang the Waylon Jennings classic "Good Hearted Woman." It's always great to hear Annie Little tackle a song and tonight she did a swell job with Patsy Cline's "I Love You Honey" and Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance?". Art & Ron closed out this evening's festivities on a spiritual tone with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Note: Due to vacations, there will be no show at the BK next Tuesday 1/19/10 and Grinter House will be held Thursday 1/28/10.

THANKS, ROGER & JEAN

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

January 6, 2010
BK LOUNGE

Due in large part to the inclement weather, several of our Tuesday night regulars were missing at showtime at the BK Lounge. Still, we had a nice turnout. Among the missing were Roger and Jean Hawkins, and as you know I use their MO-KAN OPRY blog for song titles so we will have to do without that information this week.

Also missing was Larry Dean; Larry and wife Rosie wisely decided this was a good time to take a well deserved few weeks vacation to a warmer climate.

The rest of the band stepped up and performed an outstanding show and the crowd showed their appreciation. The regulars and Art Covey each did one or two more songs than usual and bass player and vocalist, Mary Bichelmeyer despite having some voice problems managed a great performance on a couple of numbers.

It was great seeing Bob Kempen back in the audience and looking well. Also, Sharon was on the dance floor for a couple of dances. We are looking forward to seeing her up for most of the dances as usual.

Also, Gordon announced that due to Larry still being on vacation; and "Magnanimous" Marvin Bredemeir (I don't know what that means but that is what Roger calls him) along with Garry and Mary Bichelmeyer going on a cruise there will be no show at the BK on January 19, 2010.

We hope to see everyone next week!