SEPTEMBER 07, 2010
B.K. LOUNGE

The evening was much cooler tonight as we prepared for our weekly show at the BK Lounge. Some of our fans had already gone to Hastings Nebraska to meet the band when they arrived to perform at the big music festival there this weekend. We had some people that were on the sick list so our crowd was not standing room only as it has been many times recently, but it turned out to be a nice group. What an exciting thrill it was to see Byron Jones walk-in. We certainly enjoyed his fine voice and appreciate him performing for us. He is one of the mainstays in country music in our area.

The rest of this blog below has been reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY with the generosity and permission of Roger and Jean Hawkins.

We had just found our normal seating tonight when Larry Dean welcomed everyone and began the festivities with Travis Tritt's "I'm A Member Of A Country Club." Bob Wills' "Take Me Back To Tulsa" was next with George Strait's "The Fireman," "From A Jack To A King" and Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" close behind. Later, Larry was to return with Hal Ketchum's "I'm Missing My Mary Tonight," "Shake, Rattle & Roll" for a change of pace and another Travis Tritt number, "Where Corn Don't Grow." It's always great to hear lead guitarist Gordon Riley hit those licks and tonight he was featured singing and picking Elvis' "Big Boss Man" and Merle Travis' "Nine Pound Hammer" with the rest of the band including drummer John Malone.

Mary Bichelmeyer used her soft, mellow voice to sing Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," "Unchained Melody," Highway 101's "Walkin' Talkin' Cryin', Barely Beaten Broken Heart" and Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" while husband Garry Bichelmeyer reminded everyone of the tragic events of 9/11 with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA." Garry displayed his songwriting talents, singing his newest creation, "One Room Schoolhouse," and "Northern Star," another self-penned tune. Picking up his banjo, Garry and the band sounded great playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle each Saturday at Annie's Country Jubilee in Tonganoxie, got a big hand as he played and Larry Dean sang the vocals on a old tune recorded by Eddy Arnold and others, "Slowpoke." Next it was our personal favorite "Ragtime Annie" followed by the beautiful "Waltz You Saved For Me" and everyone's favorite: "OBS" -- "The Orange Blossom Special."

Jerome Oberle and his button accordian got the dancers and polka-lovers fired up this evening as he played the "Pennslyvania Polka," "Blue Skirt Waltz" and of course the "Beer Barrell Polka." Tonight's special guest totally surprised everyone, arriving half-way through the first half. Byron Jones who recently reopened his Northtown Opry at 1419 Swift Ave. in North Kansas City, slipped in almost unnoticed, but once pressed into service did his usual marvelous job singing Porter Wagoner's "Country Music Has Gone To Town," Buck Owens' "Love's Gonna Live Here Again" and Flatt and Skruggs' "My Blue Ridge Mountain Home." Byron mentioned that the Northtown Opry would be hosting two special shows, 3 & 7:30 PM on September 25th featuring Bill "Goofer" Atterberry, a comedian and all-round entertainer, who is a fixture himself at country variety shows around the Lake Of The Ozarks. Byron was to return later with Tompall Glazer's "Put Another Log On The Fire," Ernest Tubb's "Waltz Across Texas" and closed tonight's festivities with the great gospel number "I Saw The Light." (

Below) Mr. Northtown Opry, Byron Jones entertains tonight's crowd



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