AUGUST 19, 2010
GRINTER BARN JAMBOREE

We all had high expectations when we went to the Grinter Barn last night for the jamboree. I think I can honestly say that what we experienced far exceeded our expectations. Our great special guests were outstanding. Fred Uzell with his Dobro and Frankie Kay and his Steel Guitar along with of course, the Stranger Creek Band put on an outstanding show. Fred and Frankie are both amazing talents.

The text and photos below are reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY with the permission of Roger & Jean Hawkins. Many thanks to them!!

The Grinter Barn was packed tonight as traditional country music lovers gathered to enjoy Sloppy Joe sandwiches and root-beer floats and their favorite tunes courtesy of the Stranger Creek Band and tonight's two great guest artists. The band, including John Malone on drums, kicked off the evening with "Gordon's Boogie" and Gordon Riley himself, the group's great lead guitar player returned to pick & sing Elvis's "Big Boss Man" before they took off on a great instrumental of "Honky Tonk." Larry Dean was in extra-fine voice tonight singing a pair of Merle Haggard tunes "Pair Of Blue Eyes In Texas" and "I Had A Beautiful Time. Later Larry got a big hand as he sang a Ricky Skaggs classic "Hiway 40 Blues," a great bluegrass tune, the Stanley Bros. "Hills Of Roan County," "Back To Louisiana," "Down Deep" and for the young at heart "Old Time Rock & Roll." Our friend Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday night sure got our approval as he began by playing our personal favorite fiddle tune "Ragtime Annie." Somewhat later, Marvin returned with the old Bob Wills' classic "Milk Cow Blues" and "Maiden's Prayer," one of the prettiest fiddle tunes you will ever hear.

Mary Bichelmeyer also sounded just super tonight singing an old standard "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You," Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," "Bill Bailey" and Highway 101's "Walkin' Talkin' Cryin' Barely Beatin' Broken Heart." Husband, multi-talented Garry Bichelmeyer sang four of the many songs he has composed, "Northern Star" (beautiful!), Nodaway River (song about the hardships our pioneer ancestors endured), "Would You Catch A Falling Star" and the brand-new "Losing You." Great job Garry! Of course, through all of the music we heard tonight we were doubly entertained with the dobro-playing of Fred Uzzell on dobro (he's also a fixture at Annie's Country Jubilee, playing steel guitar & dobro there each Saturday) and Frankie Kay, one of this area's best know steel players who at one time played in Cowboy Copus' band. But there was also some great solo work from these two as well with Fred beginning with a crowd favorite, "Redwing" then returning with the beautiful "McHattie's Waltz," "Fireball Mail" (one of our favorites) and the pretty "Peach Pickin' Time In Georgia." Frankie on the other hand played some sweet steel and sang "Sugar Moon" then it was "Boothill Drag" and the "Down & Dirty Blues" with Larry Dean doing the honors on harmonica. Larry closed this terrific evening with Merle's "Silver Wings."

(Below) top Fred Uzzell (l.) & Frankie Kay (r.) below: Larry Dean, Garry Bichelmeyer, Marvin Bredemeier & Gordon Riley watch guest artists Fred Uzzell & Frankie Kay perform.





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