Thursday, September 30, 2010

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

I had an e-mail from Nancy Nunn this evening. She reports that Rusty had a much better day today. Pneumonia seems to be under control, he has less coughing and better breathing. His voice is normal with no slurred speech. He was up and walked 5 times today. She doesn't know when he will be able to go to rehab but it certainly sounds encouraging. Keep it up, Rusty!!!

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
BK LOUNGE


Let me begin with a report on our sick friends.

Rusty Nunn now has a touch of Pneumonia so he did not get to transfer to the Rehab Hospital today as planned. The Doctors started him on antibiotics to treat the Pneumonia. He was able to exercise and sit up for a while but they want to keep him at Olathe Med Center til he gets over that. Nancy says the surgeon is still very happy with the way he came through the surgery.

Another one of our good friends, Roger Hawkins is very ill tonight. Jean is able to get him up to move around for some exercise but he is very weak.

Please everyone; keep Rusty and Roger in your thoughts and prayers. Nancy and Jean need some help from above, too. I know this is a difficult time for both of them. I will keep you posted on this site as often as I get new information.


Larry Dean decided to take a few days off to go fishing. Arnie Johnson very ably filled in for him at the BK Lounge last night. As usual, he put on a very lively show and is always well received here. It is at this point that I really miss Roger and Jean helping me with titles of the songs performed by all the members of the band. Without that help I will just have to tell you that Gordon, Marvin, John and Mary & Garry performed wonderfully behind Arnie. Dave Purcell was in fine form and received big applause after each number he sang. Annie Little sang three or four numbers to the great pleasure of the near capacity audience. Garry had a whole pocket full of new jokes and kept us laughing all through the show.

It is always a huge pleasure to have Arnie come by to perform for us. We look forward to having Larry Dean back with us next week and we also are looking eagerly forward to having Arnie join us again at the Grinter Jamboree on Thursday,October
21, 2010. That will also be our annual Halloween show with a costume contest and the ladies will serve a Chili Supper.

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Saturday, September 25, 2010

SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
GRINTER APPLEFEST


First of all, we have great news that "Rusty" Nunn came through his triple by-pass surgery very well. His surgeon reported the operation was successful and Rusty should be feeling much better and back in his favorite chair right next to the stage soon! We all are looking forward to seeing you soon, Rusty!!

The band put on a terrific show at the Grinter Applefest. It was a little warm when we started about 6:15. Before we finished at about 8:15 most of those present were digging out a jacket because it was turning cool.

The audience was enthusiastic and soon several were up and dancing for nearly every song.

We had several parents who brought their children to the show. It was so much fun watching those kids from about 2 to 5 or 6 years old dancing and laughing. They all seemed to have a great time and there was some pretty good dancers. I really admire those parents who take the time to bring the little ones out and dance with them. It was hard to tell who had the most fun, the kids or Mom and Dad.

The music was good and there was a good variety, too.

The Stranger Creek band will be back at the Grinter Barn Jamboree on Thursday, October 21 for the Annual Hallooween show and at the BK Lounge every Tuesday. We hope to see you all there.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
BK LOUNGE


When we began setting the equipment up for the show it looked like we might have a small crowd tonight. But, by the time the band stepped to begin, the Lounge was full to capacity, standing room only. It is very satisfying to know that so many of our fans enjoy the music enough to fill the Lounge to capacity nearly every Tuesday evening.

One of our most loyal fans and good friends needs our thoughts and prayers at this time. "Rusty" Nunn will undergo triple by-pass surgery on Friday. We certainly wish the best for him.

The text and photo below are reprinted with the generous permission of Roger & Jean Hawkins of MO-KAN OPRY. Be sure to check their site for information on all the country music shows around this area!

We barely had time to get settled in our customary seats when Larry Dean kicked the evening off with the old Bob Wills/Asleep At The Wheel standard "Miles And Miles Of Texas" at the request of some visitors from the Lone Star state. Next up was Merle Haggard's "I Had A Beautiful Time" and somewhat later another Hag tune, "Mama Tried" and Josh Turner's "Just To Be Your Man." Gordon Riley, the group's great lead guitarist showed his vocal abilities off on Hank Thompson's "Red Necks, White Sox And Blue Ribbon Beer" then joined the rest of the band, including drummer John Malone in a great instrumental of "Freight Train." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier, the group's awesome fiddle player who also plays fiddle at Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday got the dancers moving as he launched into a Big Band number, "Jersey Bounce." Marvin followed up with an old Bob Wills tune "Milk Cow Blues," "The Waltz You Saved For Me" and the jaunty "Eighth Of January." It's always such a pleasure to hear Mary Bichelmeyer sing those country standards, her soft, mellow voice seems to caress each lyric. Tonight it was Patsy Cline's "I'm Blue Again," Kathy Mattea's "Walk The Way The Wind Blows" and Vince Gill's "Don't Come Crying To Me." Husband Garry Bichelmeyer was in fine voice himself tonight, singing "Someone To Turn To," Johnny Russell's "Catfish John," one of his own cleverly written tunes, which has become known fondly as simply "The Dead Horse Song," Guy Clark's "Randall Knife" and crowd favorite, "Kansas City." David Purcell also did a marvelous job tonight singing Alan Jackson's "Playing Possum," "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," George Jones' "Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong" and Willie's "Help Me Make It Through The Night."

It was great seeing Annie Little again and even better listening to her sing Suzy Boggess' "Somewhere Between" and "I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind," a Garry Bichelmeyer tune. Ron Fine was also in the audience tonight and we enjoyed, as usual, his beautiful vocals, tonight Hank Snow's "Most Of All I Love You Cause You're You," Ricky Skaggs' "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" and "The Kentucky Waltz." A special couple celebrated their September birthdays together at intermission, Henry Busler who will be 94 on September 27th and Bertha Kanning who was 90 years old on September 14th! Best wishes go out to this great couple and may they enjoy many, many more! Larry Dean closed tonight's festivities with Terry Smith's "Far Side Banks Of Jordan."

(Below) A "special" couple - Henry Busler & Bertha Kanning.



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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
BK LOUNGE


The weather was fabulous as a good size group gathered at the BK Lounge. There was much visiting among themselves as the band prepared for the evening of music.

Larry Dean kicked the show off with "Miles and Miles of Texas" followed by "Designated Drinker".
Gordon Riley stepped up with the ever popular "Wildwood Flower" and "Break My Mind".
Next was Marvin Bredemeier with "Red Sails in the Sunset" and "Silver Bells".
The beautiful voice of Mary Bichelmeyer was next with "Blue Kentucky Girl" and "Walking After Midnight".
Garry Bichelmeyer singing "Would You Catch a falling Star" and his self written " Summers Almost Over".
Art Covey closed out the first half with "Royal Telephone" and Hobo's Meditation".

During the intermission we were all served a piece of a delicious Carrot cake in celebration of our friend, Roger Hawkins's birthday. Happy Birthday, Roger!!

Larry Dean opened the second half with Roger's request of "Mom & Dad Waltz", "Back to Louisiana", "Together Again", Billy Gray" and "I miss my Mary tonight".
Then Gordon Riley stepped up with " Back Home in Indiana".
Marvin Bredemeier was next with "Ragtime Annie" and "Faded Love". Then we were honored for the second week in a row to hear his Rousing ever popular version of "The Orange Blossom Special"!
Mary Bichelmeyer came back then with "Satin Sheets" and "Bill Bailey"
Garry Bichelmeyer and Larry Dean joined forces for "In the Jailhouse Now"
Gordon Riley and John Malone gave us a very rare treat as they joined in for "Wipe Out"!
Larry Dean closed the show with "Will the Circle be Unbroken".

It was a great show and we look forward to having everyone join us on Thursday, September 16 at the Grinter Jamboree. We will have a dinner of Spaghetti Beef Casserole followed with 2 1/2 hours of Music.

(Below) top - John Malone, Larry Dean and Marvin Bredemeier. bottom -Jean & Roger Hawkins and their friend Jim Bledsoe.





Much of the above information and the photos were acquired from MO-KAN OPRY.com with the generous permission of Roger & Jean Hawkins

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

AUGUST 31, 2010
BK LOUNGE


It was very hot as we prepared for tonight's show. The gathering of people started out slow but as show time approached, the BK Lounge was filled to capacity before we realized it.

(Tuesday) As I write this, I have received word that our friend, Glen Beatty underwent neck surgery at KU Medical Center today; Jean says the surgery was successful. We all wish Glen a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the BK Lounge soon!

As the magic hour approached, Larry Dean stepped front & center to sing Alan Jackson's "Don't Rock The Juke Box" and Merle Haggard's "Working Man Blues." Showing his great versatility, Larry returned later with Travis Tritt's "Living On Borrowed Time," Charlie Louvin's "She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye" and Johnny Cash's "The Night Hank Williams Came To Town."

What a pleasant surprise it was to see our friend Larry Smith, whose singing talents are almost legendary throughout this area. Larry, who has appeared at practically every opry & country show throughout the region, got a huge hand as he greeted everyone with a Hank Locklin tune, "My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You," followed by Merle's "Okie From Muskogee," Eddie Arnold's "Make The World Go Away" and Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Returning shortly after intermission, Larry did a bang-up job with Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee" & "Johnny B. Goode," Ray Price's "Heart Aches By The Number" along with Merle's "Today I Started Loving You Again." The group's terrific lead guitarist Gordon Riley and the rest of the band including drummer John Malone got the dancers moving with the self-penned "Gordon's Boogie #2," "Buckaroo" while Gordon demonstrated his vocal abilities as well with Hank Thompson's "Six Pack To Go" and Elvis' "Big Boss Man." "Marvelous" Marvin Bredemeier got quite an ovation tonight as he put bow to fiddle and played Bob Wills' "Milk Cow Blues," "Down Yonder," "The Waltz You Saved For Me," "Rubber Dolly" and George Strait's "Right Or Wrong." Marvin, of course is part of the great band which plays every Saturday night at Annie's Country Jubilee. Mary Bichelmeyer's soft, mellow voice certainly did justice to Loretta Lynn's "Blue Kentucky Girl," Pam Tillis' "Don't Tell Me What To Do" and Warner Mack's "Once A Day." Garry Bichelmeyer gave everyone a taste of his many talents tonight singing John Denver's "It's Good To Be Back Home Again," "Kansas City," his newly self-written "One Room School House," then picking up the banjo led the band playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." It's always great to see and hear crowd favorite David Purcell and tonight he greeted everyone with Alan Jackson's "Just Playing Possum," Willie Nelson sound-alikes "On The Road Again" & "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and a bit later, George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away."

Tonight's festivities came to a close with the band playing "I Saw The Light" and Larry Dean singing an old bluegrass gospel number recorded by Tom T. Hall and others, "Rank Stranger."

(Below) Tonight's special guest, Larry Smith



The photo and much of the text above was reprinted from MO-KAN OPRY.com with the permission of Roger & Jean Hawkins. Thanks again.

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