Tuesday, November 30, 2010

NOVEMBER 30, 2010
BK LOUNGE


Brr! A cold evening but still, a nearly full house showed up for tonight's show at the BK Lounge. It was kind of a surprise to walk into the Lounge tonight, they are in the process of doing some remodeling. There was unfinished Sheetrock on the walls and the floral had all been removed from the columns in the center of the dining room. I am sure it is going to look really nice when they are completed and the fans will be able to get a much better view of the band.

Again, we had some great guests drop in. Ron Fine, Jess Richardson and Jerome Oberle were all on hand to do a fine job of entertaining us; it is always good to see them. Also visiting us this evening were Mr and Mrs Don Call; he is the son of the late Kansas City DJ Cactus Jack Call.

We hope to see you all at the Lounge next Tuesday evening.

Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to celebrate New Years Eve with us at the Eagles Club, 4726 Merriam Dr in Merriam, KS. $10 per person will include Champagne and noise makers plus Biscuits and Gravy after the 8:30PM to 12:30Am dance. Dinner will be served before the dance. Either Steak or Shrimp with potato and salad for $12; or get both entrees for $16. Dinner reservations must be made at 913-432-2047 for either a 5:00PM or 6:00PM serving time.

You can click on the flyer to enlarge it and read the important small print at the bottom.




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Sunday, November 28, 2010

NOVEMBER 28, 2010
AMERICAN LEGION
OVERLAND PARK KS


The dance at the American Legion hall was great. A great crowd almost filled the hall when we began and the chili was delicious. By the second or third song, the dance floor was filled and continued to be full or nearly full through-out the evening. We had many fans from the BK Lounge come to enjoy the dancing and music. It was great to see all of them.

It's always good to get to work with Steel Guitar player Curt Shoemaker and he put on his usual fine performance last night. Dave Purcell was great on the drums as he filled in for John Malone who had a previous commitment and could not be with us. The band was a little tired after working several hours last night and then again most of today. They were cutting songs for the new CD while Curt was in town to sit in. The CD should be ready for release by late winter or early next spring. There will be a lot of great music on it so be sure to watch for it and I will keep you informed.

Don't forget that there will not be a Grinter Barn Jamboree in December but we are looking forward to seeing all of you on Thursday, January 20 for the next one. We will be at the B.K. Lounge Tuesday as usual and we hope to see everyone there also don't forget the New Years Eve dance at the Eagles Club at Merriam Dr and Antioch in Merriam.

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Friday, November 26, 2010

NOVEMBER 26, 2010

I have received information about the New Years Eve dance at the Eagles club just east of Antioch and Merriam Drive in Merriam KS.

The dance will be from 8:30 until 12:30 and the admission will be $10 per person. That admission will include biscuits & Gravy after the dance. There will also be a dinner (menu unknown at this time) available before the dance for a small fee. Please make plans to join us for this years New Years Eve celebration!!!

On another note, I had the opportunity this afternoon and evening to observe the first recording session for the Stranger Creek Band's upcoming new CD. I had never seen a recording studio before; it is an amazing operation to see in action. There is an unbelievable amount of work goes into each song recorded. I can promise you some outstanding music when this CD is completed. Watch for it to be ready soon!!

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

NOVEMBER 23, 2010
B. K. LOUNGE


It is amazing and gratifying to me how so many fans continue to come out to enjoy our music every Tuesday at the Lounge. Even with this being a Holiday week, we had a nearly full house as the show started.

We understand several of our regulars are down with the flu and even more, including some band members, are in the process of recovering from it. We hope all of you are well in time for Thanksgiving.

We want to remember Annie Little in our prayers, Annie is in the hospital suffering from dehydration. GET WELL QUICK, ANNIE!

It was good to see Scott Gilmore and his little family again. Scott sang a couple of songs for us including his always popular version of "Boot Scootin' Boogie". Those little kids of theirs are so cute. Other guests also on hand to entertain us were Art Covey and Ron Fine. They are two fine entertainers and always get a good reception.

This Friday and Saturday the band along with special guest Curt Shoemaker will go into the recording studio to begin work on a new CD. I am certainly looking forward to that, there will be a lot of good country music on it.

Don't forget we will be at the American Legion at 7500 West 75 Street in Overland Park for a Chili dinner and dance this Saturday, November 27 beginning at 7:00PM. We hope you all turn out and join in our fun. The great Steel Guitar player, Curt Shoemaker will also join us for this dance.

Also, mark your calendars and make plans to celebrate New Years eve with us at the Eagles Lodge at 4726 Merriam Drive in Merriam, KS. More details will be posted as soon as we get them.

Please continue to remember Roger and Jean Hawkins in your thoughts and prayers. Roger is very ill at this time. I am sure they would also appreciate any cards and words of encouragement. Their address is:

ROGER & JEAN HAWKINS
7460 FRONTAGE RD
MERRIAM KS 66203


Please also remember any of our ill fans that I don't know about and are not mentioned here. We wish all of you a quick recovery.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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Monday, November 22, 2010

NOVEMBER 22, 2010

JUST A PERSONAL NOTE: Many of you remember my Grandson, Jason that worked with the band and I on sound for a time. Several have asked about their expected new baby; I am happy to announce that they delivered Pat and I a new Great Grandson last evening. Brayden Michael checked in at 7 lbs 2 oz and is 20 inches long. All are doing fine.

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Friday, November 19, 2010

NOVEMBER 18, 2010
GRINTER BARN JAMBOREE


A small but appreciative group turned out for the monthly show at the Grinter Barn tonight.

After the ladies of Grinter House served a delicious dinner of Turkey Casserole, carrots and cranberry sauce we settled in for an evening of music.

Garry and Mary Bichelmeyer called reporting they both were ill with the flu and could not make the show tonight. After a hurried phone call from Gordon, Chuck Yates generously came out and did a fantastic job of filling in on the Bass guitar for us. "Many Thanks to you, Chuck!"

The band performed a great show, Gordon Riley again performed his self-written song, "Pickin' My Fingers To The Bone" and received a great reception. Larry said they might include it on the new CD they are getting ready to go into the studio and start recording. I hope they do include it, I believe we will hear a lot more of that song!

Near the end of the show, we were given a rare treat when drummer John Malone did his rendition of the ever popular "Wipe-Out".

Dave Purcell and Larry Dean each answered requests singing several songs in addition to the always great fiddle playing of Marvin Bredemeier. Also, let's not forget the great instrumentals and singing by Gordon Riley.

Larry announced that there would not be a Grinter Barn Jamboree in December due to the Christmas rush. Mark your calendars to join us again at the Barn on Thursday, January 20, 2011,

Don't forget we will be playing for the dance at the American Legion Hall at 7500 West 75 Street in Overland Park on Saturday, November 27. The Legion will sponsor a Chili cook-off beginning at 3:00PM with judging at 5:00PM, Chili dinner and dancing will begin at 7:00PM. Admission: $2 members - $5 non-members - Chili $3/bowl

Be sure to mark your calendars to attend the New Year's Eve dance with us at the Eagles club located at Merriam Drive and Antioch. Watch this web site for more information on this later.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

NOVEMBER 16, 2010
B. K. LOUNGE


It was great to have Garry and Mary Bichelmeyer back from a much deserved vacation. They related that they spent some very enjoyable time in Nashville where Garry joined the Songwriters Association. With membership in that group Garry will have expert assistance in getting his songs to the proper people for possible recording. Should be a great help to him, he certainly has more than one song that should be a success if recorded.

Special guests Art Covey and Dave Purcell did their usual fantastic job of entertaining the audience. Gordon Riley introduced the new song he wrote, "Pickin' My Fingers To The Bone" and received an enthusiastic response to it. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more of it in the future.

Mary Bichelmeyer had a sore throat so she only sang a crowd favorite duet with Garry entitled "Black Coffee".

Annie Little was also in attendance and performed a few numbers and closed the show with a gospel duet with Larry Dean. It is always a pleasure to hear her lovely voice.

We want to remind you to come to the Grinter Barn Jamboree this Thursday, November 18and enjoy some Turkey Casserole and good country music with us. Also, keep in mind that we will be playing a dance on Saturday, November 27 at the American legion located at 7500 West 75 in Overland Park. You will want to see Outstanding Steel Guitar player Curt Shoemaker there.

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

NOVEMBER 9, 2010
B.K. LOUNGE


We opened the show missing two of our star performers tonight. Garry and Mary Bichelmeyer were in the middle of a well earned vacation visiting family in Kentucky. Then they plan to journey on down to Nashville for a few days.

We had Dave Purcell on hand to fill in for Garry and we were fortunate to recruit Odessa Missouri's Jimmy Rogers to fill in for Mary. With his outstanding bass playing and an amazing singing voice, he more than fulfilled all expectations. Also on hand was Art Covey and Ron Fine dropped in to entertain us with his wonderful singing. Jerome Oberle filled the dance floor with some outstanding music from his squeeze box accordian. Annie Little was back home and it was great to hear her lovely voice again. We were honored to have Jess Richardson from the Westline Jamboree in Westline Missouri drop in and entertain us with a sample of his singing that can be heard at the Westline Jamboree.

Thursday, November 18 will be the Grinter Barn Jamboree this month and the Friends of Grinter ladies will serve a Turkey Casserole for dinner before the show. Just $8.00 for the dinner and show.

Also, tonight we can confirm that the Stranger Creek Band will perform for a dance at the American Legion Hall at 7500 West 75 in Overland Park. The Legion will host a Chili cook-off beginning at 3:00PM with judging beginning at 5:00PM and the dinner and dance at 7:00PM. Our special guests will be Steel Guitar player Curt Shoemaker from Ionia Kansas. Curt has backed up Nashville recording star Martina McBride plus he has sat in on several Nashville recording sessions. Be sure to come and observe our own Dave "Willie" Purcell as he plays drums for the dance filling in for John Malone who has a previous commitment. This should be a great time, Please plan to join us.

(Below) l. to r. Jimmy Rodgers, Jess Richardson, Annie Little, Ron Fine



The above photo courtesy of Roger & Jean at Mo-Kan Opry.com

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

NOVEMBER 2, 2010
B.K.LOUNGE


A beautiful evening greeted the fans and band arriving for the show last night. What a wonderful surprise when I saw Johanna Valaika come in for the show. If you remember, Johanna fell in her home about a month ago injuring a knee. I didn't see her on the dance floor but I'm betting she will be back out there before long.

Just as the show began, we had another great surprise as Roger and Jean Hawkins came in to a nice round of applause. It was so nice to see them back in their customary seats in the front row.

Some of our snowbirds have already began their trek south, mostly to Texas for the winter. More are planning to leave between now and the first of the year. So far none of them have invited me to go along. Those of us left here to suffer the cold weather will miss all of them.

Garry and Mary will be missing next week as they are going on a much deserved vacation to visit family in Kentucky and then on to Nashville for a few days. Have a safe trip, guys.

As usual the band put on an outstanding performance. We were missing Dave Purcell who was working late but Art Covey and Jerome Oberle did a magnificent job of filling in.

Don't forget the Grinter Barn Jamboree on November 18 and tonight we are able to announce a tentative dance scheduled for Saturday, November 27 at the American Legion Hall at 7500 West 75 in Overland Park. Mark you calendars and plan to attend this. Also mark your calendars for the New Years eve dance at the Eagles Club at Merriam Drive and Antioch in Merriam.

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