AUGUST 6, 2010
JOHNSON COUNTY FAIR

We arrived early because we did not know how to find the Midway stage where we were to perform. Luckily, we quickly found a lady that knew where it was and had her young son lead us through the crowded campground and keep all of the children out of our way as he directed us to the stage. Many thanks to that Mom and son for their help! We watched a fine young dance troupe perform ahead of us. Afterwards as we set up our equipment, a nice crowd including several of our regular followers gathered for our performance.

Below is reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY.com - Thanks Roger & Jean

Having traveled with some friends out to Gardner, KS where the Johnson County Fair is held each year at the sprawling fair grounds there, we managed to locate the Midway Stage, a large, covered dwelling, as it's name implies, near the center of all the bustling activity a fair invites. We set up our chairs in a front row position, got some drinks & food from one of the many vendors nearby and as we relaxed, an Overland Park dance studio brought a number of students - young ladies of various ages to perform for the swelling crowd. Dressed in darling costumes, these girls performed their routines flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly. The appreciative audience applauded long after they had left the stage.

As the Stranger Creek Band began to set up, dragging those heavy speakers, amps, wiring and instruments up on stage, we happened to run into an old friend, Greg Hermon. As a matter of fact, Greg and I were next door neighbors as teenagers living in Roeland Park. Greg now serves as State President of the Kansas Oldtime Fiddlers Pickers and Singers, Inc. proving that this is indeed a small world. Hopefully, we'll have the opportunity to visit again after exchanging phone numbers and e-mails.

"Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, the group's fiddle player and the rest of the band, including John Malone on drums kicked off tonight's 2-hour set with an old fiddle tune, "Back Up And Push." Marvin, who plays fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie every Saturday night returned a bit later with one of our favorites "Ragtime Annie," Merle Travis' "Smoke Smake Smoke That Cigarette," "Fire On The Mountain" and Bob Will's "Milk Cow Blues." Larry Dean got an ovation from the big crowd as he sang Ricky Skaggs' "Hiway 40 Blues," Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin Boogie," "Old Time Rock & Roll," a song he wrote with Garry Bichelmeyer, "The Winner," Vern Gosdin's "That Just About Does It Don't It," Roger Miller's "King Of The Road," Johnny Cash's "The Night Hank Williams Came To Town" and Delbert McClinton's "Back To Louisiana." David Purcell got the feet tappin and the hands clappin as he thrilled the crowd with his best Willie Nelson sound alike on "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" and "On The Road Again." David returned to sing George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away," George Jones' "I Always Get Lucky With You," a Garry Bichelmeyer tune, "Northern Star," Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan's "Tennessee Bird Walk," Willie's "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and "Remember Me." The band's great lead guitar player, Gordon Riley showed his vocal skills as he picked and sang "Nine Pound Hammer," then joined the rest of the gang on instrumentals "Harbor Lights," "Honky Tonk" and "Ghost Riders In The Sky" (Larry Dean vocals).

Mary Bichelmeyer who plays bass for the group, used her smooth, mellow voice to sing Pam Tillis' "Don't Tell Me What To Do" and "Bill Bailey" while husband, multi-talented Garry Bichelmeyer did just an awesome job singing Charlie Pride's "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone," Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy" and one of his original tunes, "Marie." Garry & Mary also teamed up for a duet of Lacy J. Dalton's "Black Coffee." David Purcell closed this wonderful set with "Once In A Lifetime Thing."

Again, many thanks to Roger & Jean for allowing us to reprint their blog from MO-KAN OPRY.com.



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