Wednesday, February 24, 2010

FEBRUARY 23, 2010
ANOTHER FULL BK LOUNGE


Again, a capacity crowd had the BK Lounge almost bursting at the seams. The dancers could barely find room to dance, some going to the back dining room and others in the aisles, hopefully everyone found a spot.

Larry Dean did a bang up job singing Eddy Arnold's classic "What's He Doing In My World." Larry returned the second half with a couple of rock numbers, "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Johnny B. Goode" as well as George Jones' 1991 smash "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes." Lead guitarist Gordon Riley and the band including John Malone on drums kicked off their featured part of the program tonight with "Panhandle Rag," "9 Lb. Hammer" (featuring Gordon on vocals), "Bells Of St. Mary" and "Honky Tonk." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, who plays fiddle every Saturday at Annie's Country Jobilee, tonight played the beautiful "Sugar Moon," "Maiden's Prayer," "Ragtime Annie," "Down Yonder" and the "Orange Blossom Special" much to the delight of the big crowd. Mary Bichelmeyer. the group's bass player was in fine voice tonight singing Patsy's "Walkin' After Midnight," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Bill Bailey." Husband Garry Bichelmeyer debuted a brand new song he recently wrote entitled "Losing You" which we enjoyed hearing and think maybe it will go someplace. Garry also sang another of his creations which has become known as the "Dead Horse Song," a comical look back at the Battle of the Big Horn.

It's always a gas to see and hear our friend Dave Purcell pick and sing. Tonight, doing his best Willie voice, he sang "Remember Me," then it was "A Once In A Lifetime Thing," a Garry Bichelmeyer song, "Northern Star" and the Jack Blanchard/Misty Morgan song "Tennessee Bird Walk." It was just terrific to see Art Covey back who has been on the mend from a recent operation. Art sounded great as always as he sang "Falling Leaves" and "Love Letters In The Sand." Talking about great vocalists, Annie Little was also here tonight and stepped front and center to sing another Garry Bichelmeyer song, "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind" and "A Very Special Grace." This fun evening came to a close with Mary singing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and Art doing the honors with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." (Below) - Garry Bichelmeyer debuts his new song "Losing You". bottom - The gang welcomes Art Covey back.




ONCE AGAIN WE THANK ROGER AND JEAN HAWKINS WITH MO-KAN OPRY FOR GIVING PERMISSION TO REPRINT MOST OF THE ABOVE TEXT AND THE PHOTOS FROM THEIR ARTICLE.

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Sunday, February 21, 2010

FEBRUARY 18, 2010
GRINTER BARN JAMBOREE


An enthusiastic, capacity crowd gathered at the Grinter Barn Thursday evening. After everyone had some of the Grinter Ladies' delicious chili, the band opened the show. The dancers quickly got into the mood and filled the dance floor. There was a good mix of music, but I have to apologize for not remembering or writing down the names of songs the band performed. It was good to have Larry Dean back from his month long vacation in South Texas and Dave Purcell back from his extended bout with the flu. Annie Little and Scott Gilmore each entertained us with a song. Scott and his family are regulars at the BK Lounge but I do not remember seeing them at the Grinter before.

Gordon Riley opened the second half with an amazing performance of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" on the banjo. It kind of makes me wonder if there is no end to that man's talent! I believe he can play anything with strings and make it sound outstanding.

Larry announced that Cindy Bealer, Larry Smith and Elton Flodman would be Special Guest vocalists and Curt Shoemaker would be Guest steel guitar player at the concert in Concordia on April 18. If you would like to ride the charter bus out to Concordia and see the show for a total of $45.00 per person, be sure to sign up at one of our shows or contact Larry at 913-585-3495.

Our next show at the Grinter Barn will be March 18, 2010. Watch this website we will post the menu as soon as we get it. Don't forget we are at the BK Lounge every Tuesday evening. Please come by to say "Hello" and enjoy some good country music while you are there.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010
BK LOUNGE


A near capacity crowd was waiting to welcome the STRANGER CREEK BAND to the BK Lounge last night. It was great to see Larry Dean standing front and center again after a month long vacation.

Larry quickly got things started singing "Stay a Little Longer", "Hello Mary Lou" and "Back to Louisiana". Gordon Riley and Marvin Bredemeier along with drummer john Malone entertained us with "Honky Tonk", "Down Yonder", "Bells of St Mary", "Waltz Across Texas", "Maiden's Prayer" and the favorite "Ragtime Annie".

Dave Purcell returned after a couple of weeks battling the flu. He ably entertained us with "Funny How Time Slips Away",and "Northern Star". Bass player Mary Bichelmeier put her talent and voice to "Tennessee Waltz" and "Blue Kentucky Girl" followed by Gary singing "Marie" and joined by Larry Dean performing the favorite "In the Jailhouse Now".

The dancers filled the floor as guest Scott Gilmore sang a rousing version of "Johnny B Good".

We were joined by Jess Richardson from the Westline Jamboree who sang "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and an old Webb Pierce number, "Walkin' the Dog". Jess was followed by an appearance from Dave Irvin doing a fantastic job with "You Win Again". It was nice having them visit and we look forward to seeing them again.

Mary closed the evening with "Just a Closer Walk".

We hope you all join us Thursday, February 18 at the Grinter Barn for another enjoyable evening of music and also some of the ladies delicious Chili. Of course, we will be looking for all of you next Tuesday, February 23 back at the BK Lounge.

Pictured below, Jess Richardson




SOME OF THE ABOVE TEXT AND THE PHOTO REPRINTED FROM MO-KAN OPRY.COM WITH THE PERMISSION AND GENEROSITY OF ROGER AND JEAN HAWKINS.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

FEBRUARY 9, 2010
COLD TEMPERATURES FAIL TO DAMPEN THE ENTHUSIASM AT THE BK LOUNGE AGAIN


We had a nice crowd come in for the weekly show at BK Lounge last night. Arnie Johnson was outstanding as he filled in for the still vacationing Larry Dean who will return next week. Also, it was good to see Ron Fine again and have him entertain us as he did again last night.

The climate and the mood inside the BK was toasty as Gordon Riley and the band, including John Malone on drums, opened the festivities with "Gordon's Boogie #2." Later, the band took the spot light with instrumentals "Honky Tonk" and "Bells Of St. Mary" featuring some great guitar licks by Gordon, who also showed his vocal abilities, singing "Love's Gonna Live Here Again" and "Big Boss Man." Tonight's guest artist, Arnie Johnson began with Charlie Pride's "Crystal Chandilier," and followed with "Walkin' The Dog," Merle's "Silver Wings," "The Waltz Of The Angels," Waylon & Willie's "Good Hearted Woman" and a medly of "Wild Side Of Life/Your Cheatin Heart." Arnie returned a bit later with Elvis melodies "A Fool Such As I," "Laudy Miss Claudy" and "That's All Right Mama" and a couple of Willie Nelson's - "Forgiving You Is Easy," and "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain."

"Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier who will be playing fiddle this Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee which will be featuring the incredible Bill Jordan as a guest artist, was kind enough to play our favorite fiddle tune, "Ragtime Annie" along with "Rubber Dolly" and "Yakity Sax." Mary Bichelmeyer, who helps the group keeping beat on her bass guitar, put her smooth soft voice to use this evening, singing Pam Tillis' "Don't Tell Me What To Do" and Jeannie Pruitt's "Satin Sheets." Husband Garry Bichelmeyer also did an outstanding job singing Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy" and one of Garry's self-penned creations, "Northern Star." The dancers were out in numbers as well tonight and Scott Gilmore helped the line dancers get organized as he sang Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin Boogie."

A real bonus tonight was the appearance of Ron Fine, who we enjoyed so much the last time he visited. Tonight he did a marvelous job singing some of our old favorites: "California Blues," "Just Someone I Used To Know," "House Of Gold" and "Life's Railway To Heaven."

(Below) top - The cool weather didn't slow down the dancers; bottom - l. to. r. Ron Fine, Arnie Johnson, Marvin Bredemeier




ONCE AGAIN WE ARE INDEBTED TO ROGER AND JEAN HAWKINS FOR ALLOWING US TO USE MUCH OF THE ABOVE TEXT AND THE PHOTOS FROM THEIR ARTICLE IN MO-KAN OPRY.COM THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU!

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Tuesday, 2 February 2010
THE BK LOUNGE ONCE AGAIN FEATURES THE VOCALS OF LARRY SMITH , BILL CLARK SITS IN ON HARMONICA & SOME TERRIFIC MUSIC BY THE STRANGER CREEK BAND

Another big crowd of classic country music fans and dancers once again filled the BK to almost overflowing tonight as our pal Larry Smith once again lent his vocal talents to the evening's festivities. Starting the evening off with Gene Watson's "Got No Reason Now For Goin' Home," Larry continued with Conway Twitty's "I Don't Know A Thing About Love," George Jones' "Choices" and Ray Price's "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down. After lead guitarist Gordon Riley and the band including their great drummer John Malone played "Honky Tonk" and Gordon did a super vocal of "Big Boss Man," Larry returned with "Today I Started Loving You Again," "Crazy Arms," "Just Another Bridge To Burn," a tune written by Little Jimmy Dickens and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Somewhat later in the evening Larry was to return with Mel Tillis' "Green Green Greass Of Home," "Johnny B. Goode," "Kansas City," George Jones' "Walk Thru This World With Me," and Glen Campbell's "Help Me Make It Through The Night." We thought one of tonight's highlights was Larry singing "Wabash Cannonball" as Gordon Riley played the Dobro. Great stuff!

"Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, who handles the fiddlin' duties at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday night got a big hand as he played "Silver Bells" and "Ragtime Annie" then returned a little later to play and vocalize "Bilin' Cabbage Down" and "Take Me Back To Tulsa." Mary Bichelmeyer, the group's bass player did a wonderful job singing "Bill Bailey" and husband Garry Bichelmeyer sounded just great as he sang Don Williams' "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" and Charlie Pride's "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone." It was great seeing our friend Bill Clark sit in with the group tonight playing harmonica and singing "My Window Faces The South," "Just Because" and "Faded Love."

Scott Gilmore opened the second half with Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie," much to the delight of the line dancers and Annie Little got a big hand as she sang "Somewhere Between" and a Garry Bichelmeyer original, "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind." Larry Smith closed this fun evening with an original gospel number he wrote some years back, "I Was There." (Below) l. to r. Garry Bichelmeyer, Bill Clark & Larry Smith



The above text and photo reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY.COM with permission of Roger Hawkins. Again, Many thanks, Roger!