MARCH 23, 2010
BK LOUNGE
Again, all seats were filled and the crowd was boisterous and eager for the music to get started. With Arnie Johnson filling in for the ailing Larry Dean, we got started with a "BANG" Many thanks to Arnie for coming to help out.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ROGER HAWKINS AS WE WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND RETURN!

Arnie Johnson had the place rockin' as he opened tonight's festivities with "Crazy Arms," Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee," Jerry Lee Lewis' "Who Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and Ernest Tubbs' "Don't Be Angry." Arnie, who was kind enough to make the trip tonight all the way from Lawrence, returned later to sing Merle's "Branded Man," Wynn Stewart's "Another Day Another Dollar," Dolly Parton's "Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You," Hank Thompson's "Wild Side Of Life," Hank Snow's "I Don't Hurt Anymore" and another Merle gem, "Runnin' Kind." Our pal Marvin Bredemeier, who of course plays fiddle each and every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie gave us a swell send-off, playing our favorite fiddle tune, "Ragtime Annie" followed by the "Panhandle Rag." Marvin returned the second half with the old tune "Soldier's Joy" and the ever popular "Orange Blossom Special."

Gordon Riley showed off his vocal abilities tonight, singing & playing "9 Lb. Hammer" and a great Willie/Waylon duet with David Purcell of "Good Hearted Woman and with his neighbor, 14 year old Luke Morales who Gordon has been working with, did a fantastic job on twin guitars as Arnie sang Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Gordon and the band, including drummer John Malone also played a crowd favorite, "Honky Tonk," much to the delight of the line dancers here tonight. Speaking of David Purcell, he sounds better every time we hear him sing Garry Bichelmeyer's "Northern Star." David also donned his Willie Nelson cap and braids and in his best WN voice, sang "Remember Me," "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "On The Road Again." Bassist Mary Bichelmeyer used her soft, mellow pipes to sing Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," "Bill Bailey" and "Your Cheatin' Heart" before husband Garry Bichelmeyer sang the Charlie Pride hit "Is Anyone Goin To San Antone" and Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy."

Art Covey plays such a beautiful mandolin and tonight he chose to pick & sing "Rebel Soldier," a great instrumental of "Love Letters In The Sand" and recited a Wendy Bagwell poem entitled "I've Got The Will." Annie Little closed this wonderful evening with the great gospel number "A Very Special Grace." Thanks to all of you who stopped by to wish us "good luck" with the surgery tomorrow. We're looking forward to seeing all of you soon! (Below) top - Gordon Riley & Luke Morales hit some licks on "Folsom Prison Blues" bottom - Arnie Johnson & Marvin Bredemeier speed things up with the "Orange Blossom Special





THANKS AGAIN TO ROGER & JEAN FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT THE ABOVE PHOTOS AND TEXT FROM MO-KAN OPRY.COM.

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