JUNE 1, 2010
BK LOUNGE

THE ENTIRE BLOG AND PHOTO BELOW WERE REPRINTED FROM MO-KAN OPRY.COM WITH THE PERMISSION OF ROGER & JEAN HAWKINS.

We noticed that several couples who regularly attend the Tuesday evening gathering at the BK had taken advantage of the long holiday weekend and had just gone ahead and taken their vacations at this time as well. However, we saw several new faces in the throng tonight and it didn't seem to affect the number of attendees at all. We were a little late arriving tonight, but due to some technical difficulties with the equipment, the band was just a tad late in starting, so things actually worked out beautifully. Shortly after the band had warmed up in it's normal fashion, playing a Gordon Riley original composition, "Gordon's Boogie," emcee Larry Dean welcomed everyone to tonight's curriculum, singing "Congratulations!," Mark Chesnutt's "Too Cold At Home" and Jimmy Rodger's "California Blues." Larry was to return later with "Old Time Rock & Roll" and Eddy Arnold's "Room Full Of Roses" to the crowd's obvious delight.

Gordon Riley and the rest of the band, including drummer extraordinare John Malone played some great numbers here tonight and had the dance floor full as they took off on the "Beer Barrel Polka," "Harbor Lights" and "Honky Tonk." Returning the second half, Gordon led them in "9 Lb. Hammer," Merle Travis style and "Wheels." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier who almost everyone knows, plays fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday, got a big ovation as he played "The Anniversary Waltz" and "Devil's Dream." He got an even bigger hand when he returned after break to sing and play a Merle Travis number of his own, "Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette" and "In My Adobe Hacienda." Mary Bichelmeyer sounded just marvelous herself tonight, singing "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You," Pam Tillis' "Don't Tell Me What To Do," Jeannie Pruitt's "Satin Sheets" and a super duet with husband Garry of Juice Newton's "Black Coffee." Speaking of Garry Bichelmeyer, he did an incredible job here tonight as well, singing first a self-written number, "Northern Star," then it was a Tom T. Hall creation, "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" and a duet with Larry Dean of the Soggy Bottom Boys' "In The Jailhouse Now."

It's always a treat to see and hear Art Covey play his mandolin and sing. Tonight he picked some of our favorites: "Rebel Soldier," "Fallen Leaves" and an Alan Jackson gospel number, "I Want To Stroll Across Heaven With You." Scott Gilmore and his cute-as-a-button little daughter Kylie got the dancers moving as they sang "Boot Scootin Boogie" and Art returned to close tonight's program with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."

(Below) Larry Dean sings another crowd favorite



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