MARCH 9, 2010
BK LOUNGE

It was a boisterous, capacity crowd that gathered at the BK Lounge again tonight filling nearly every chair. There are so many talented musicians in our area, every special guest that stepped up front and performed was outstanding including our own Laurence Keltner, what a treat it was to hear him sing! We look forward to seeing each of them again.

We reported earlier that Jay Holmgren was to undergo surgery last Monday. We are happy to report that he came through with flying colors and even was able to come home Monday afternoon. He is recovering quickly and all reports from the surgery was good!

Larry Dean opened tonight's festivities at the B.K., singing Merle's "A Shade Tree Pickin' Man," "Ramblin Fever" and "Livin On Borrowed Time." Somewhat later he was to return with Willie Nelson's "There's Nothing I Can Do About It Now" and "Old Time Rock 'n Roll." Gordon Riley and the band including John Malone on drums livened things up a bit with "Honky Tonk," the beautiful "Sleepwalk" before featuring Gordon on "Wheels" and the self-penned "Washboard Rag." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, Annie's Country Jubilee's resident fiddler stepped up to the plate tonight to play Bob Wills' "Milk Cow Blues," "Rubber Dolly" and later it was "Ragtime Annie" (thanks Marvin!) and "Maiden's Prayer." Mary Bichelmeyer put her soft, mellow voice to good use tonight, singing Patsy's "Walking After Midnight," Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," Pam Tillis' "Don't Tell Me What To Do" and "Your Cheatin' Heart."

Garry Bichelmeyer was also in fine voice tonight with Charlie Pride's "Is Anybody Goin To San Antone" and original songs "Marie" and "I'm So Lonesome In The Saddle Since My Horse Died," fondly known as the "Dead Horse Song." It's always a pleasure to see David Purcell and hear him sing, sounding like Willie Nelson and tonight it was Willie's "Remember Me," followed by a Garry Bichelmeyer tune, "Northern Star." David returned later with George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and his self-penned "Where Did Our Love Go." Art Covey is always a pleasure to listen to, whether it's one of his patented mandolin runs or the great job he always does on vocals. Tonight he played and sang "Deep Water" and Don Williams' "You're My Best Friend." Art was joined by Ron Fine and they harmonized on "You're Always In My Heart And On My Mind." Ron did a fine job soloing on "Frauline" and returned late the second half with Art to do a duet of the old Jimmie Rodgers classsic "Hobo's Lament."

It was great seeing Rick & Leta Mowen drop by tonight. Rick is the director of the Glory Barn and they are both deeply involved in the great gospel show held there each Saturday night. Tonight Rick did a bang up job with "Singing The Blues" and Marty Robbins' "White Sport Coat. Rick & Leta returned later to team up on Randy Travis' "Three Wooden Crosses." Dede Harrington Summers has a lovely voice and got a big hand as she stepped front and center to sing Jeannie Pruett's "Satin Sheets" and "Good Old Mountain Dew." A real surprise tonight was Laurence Keltner, who with his wife is one of our regular dance couples. Laurence did just a wonderful job singing Bill Mack's "Drinking Champagne" and Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy." Hope to see and hear more from him. Garry Bichelmeyer pulled the curtain on tonight's fabulous time with Josh Turner's "Long Black Train."

(Below) top - Rick & Leta Mowen, Laurence Keltner, Ron Fine bottom - Dede Harrington Summers






Thanks again to Roger & Jean Hawkins for permitting me to use their column from MO-KAN OPRY.COM

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