Thursday, March 31, 2011

MARCH 31, 2011

OUR SPECIAL GUEST AT THE BK LOUNGE NEXT TUESDAY WILL BE THE OUTSTANDING DOBRO PLAYER FROM ANNIE'S JUBILEE IN TONGANOXIE KANSAS, MR FRED UZELL. BE SURE TO COME OUT AND ENJOY HIS FINE TALENT!!

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MARCH 29, 2011
BK LOUNGE


Again, there was standing room only at showtime in the BK Lounge last night. The band always puts on a strong performance for a full house and last night was certainly no exception. The crowd responded in kind, very enthusiastically all evening.

Our first guest was Jerome Oberle and his button accordion, everyone loves to hear him play a polka on it and he usually accommodates their wishes.

Then, Ron Fine came up and entertained with his great voice as he always does.

Our third guest was Annie Little, she has a beautiful voice and is always well received.

I only wish I knew the names to all the songs the band and guests perform and had time to write them all down along with my responsibilities on the sound system.
I have to apologize for not being able to furnish names of all the wonderful music we hear at each show.

It was great to see John Macek back after his recent neck surgery. He seems to be recovering very well and was really happy to be back, too.

Please keep one of our most loyal fans in your thoughts and prayers. Mary Lou Yulich will undergo surgery on Friday. Watch this blog for updates as soon as I get them. We will certainly be thinking about her.

We will see everyone back at the BK Lounge next Tuesday. Be Safe!!

Several months ago a good fan, Jean Hightower brought us a poem she had written to be put on this blog. I am embarrassed to admit that I lost it. Finally, I confessed to Jean what had happened and asked her to bring me another copy which she did last night. Before I lose it again, I am reprinting it below. Many Thanks, Jean.

STRANGER CREEK BAND

Want to hear some real country music
by a fantastic country band?
Then come on down to BK Lounge
and grab a table--- if you can!

That's Larry up there at the microphone
The lead singer with a joke and a grin,
He sings country, pop and rockabilly,
with a yodel, now and then.

Garry and Mary - what a pleasure!
How talented they both are!
Garry's song writing, singing and playing,
and Mary's vocals and bass guitar.

The lead guitarist is Gordon,
Who always pleases the crowd.
My only advice is to the soundman
Turn Gordon up REALLY LOUD.

Hear the beat of John the drummer
And Marvin, the best fiddler around,
Of course, Dave is always a pleasure,
With his "braids" and his Willie sound.

Cannot forget the dancers,
They're here week after week,
There's always lots of boot-scootin'
and dancing cheek to cheek.

There's talking and laughing and eating
And visiting with friends and kin -
But when you hear "Gordon's Boogie"
The fun is about to begin!

So come out and join us,
The time you have will be grand,
And hear the beautiful music coming from the
Stranger Creek Band.

Jean Hightower
11/03/ 09


THANKS AGAIN, JEAN - GREAT JOB!!
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

MARCH 23, 2011
BK LOUNGE


We had very nearly a full house as the Stranger Creek Band began what turned out to be a fantastic show. The beautiful, warm weather had every one in a good mood in spite of a storm watch for the evening that never did materialize.

Sitting in with the band was Dobro player, Fred Uzell. Fred is a great Dobro and Steel Guitar player who appears regularly on Annie's Country Jubilee every Saturday night in Tonganoxie KS. He drew great applause on every number he played for us.

Jerome Oberle came up and performed two or three numbers on his all button accordion, he does a wonderful job of playing it and is always well received by the fans.

We were excited to see Jim Winter, another performer from Annie's come in and he agreed to step up and close out the first half with his magnificent voice. The audience certainly wanted more and were promised he would return in the second half.

After the intermission, we were honored to have Amanda Brock join us and perform three songs. She has beautiful voice and her singing was appreciated by everyone. We certainly hope she and all of our other guests come back again soon.

We are informed that John Macek is progressing well from his recent surgery. He is still in Mid-American Rehabilitation Hospital and will very probably come home on Monday. If you want to talk to John, you can get phone information from the blog below.

Pictures below: From the top - Fred Uzell; Jim Winter; Larry with his new hair-do
and Amanda Brock.
A big Thank You to Jean Hightower for taking the pictures!









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Sunday, March 20, 2011

MARCH 20, 2011

OUR LOYAL FAN; JOHN MICEK IS IN MID-AMERIC REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, 5701 WEST 110TH ST, LEAWOOD KS. HE IS RECEIVING LOTS OF THERAPY FOLLOWING HIS RECENT BACK SURGERY AND WILL PROBABLY BE THERE UNTIL AT LEAST MARCH 24. HE IS IN ROOM 606B AND THE PHONE NUMBER IS 913-491-2400. HE CAN HAVE VISITORS BUT PLEASE CALL HIM FIRST. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING JOHN BACK AT THE BK LOUNGE SOON.

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Friday, March 18, 2011

MARCH 17, 2011
GRINTER BARN JAMBOREE


We had a great crowd at the Grinter Barn last night. Many new faces as well as the regulars were in to watch and listen to the band. New guests are always welcome and we were so glad to see them last night. The dancers seemed to enjoy themselves, too.

There was a lot of green in honor of St. Patrick's day. The ladies of Grinter Place Friends prepared a delicious dinner of Corn & Beef & Irish potatoes and told us to pretend it was Corned Beef & Cabbage.

The band performed several Irish songs especially during the first half of the show. The entire band was present including Dave "Willie" Purcell ; they all did a fine job and those fans present had a great time.

I want to remind all of you to remember the special "50's Rock & Roll" show next month on April 21. Come dressed as you would have dressed in the 50's including poodle skirts, petticoats. For the men, duck tails, tee shirts and plenty of Brylcreem, if you can still buy it. The ladies will serve Sloppy Jo's, Chips and Root Beer floats. It promises to be an unforgettable evening. Only $8.00 for the dinner and show with proceeds going to the "Friends of Grinter Place".

Also, I have been informed that our special guest at the BK Lounge next Tuesday will be the outstanding talented regular from Annie's Country Jubilee will be Dobro player Fred Uzell. It is always a pleasure to have him join us. All of you please come out and see a good show Tuesday beginning at 6:30 PM.

Below is a copy of one of the flyer's by "Grinter Place Friends, Inc." promoting some of their events and activities. You can click on the picture to enlarge it for reading.



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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MARCH 16, 2011
BK LOUNGE


Last evening the Stranger Creek band opened to full house of enthusiastic fans. The weather was beautiful and I am pretty sure that had a great deal to do with the wonderful turn-out.

It was great to see "Miss Jean" Hawkins come in, we have really missed her. I saw her busy taking notes so perhaps she will have a blog on her "MO-KAN OPRY" site soon. Be sure to check that fantastic site out the first chance you get.

As usual, the band put on a great show and we had a wonderful group of guests show up to help entertain us.

The first of the group, Annie Little lent her beautiful voice to a couple of songs. Ron Fine stepped up next and filled the building with his fantastic Tenor voice. He and Annie are both seasoned, fantastic singers and the fans enjoy both of them immensely.

Jerome Oberle filled the dance floor playing two or three polkas on his all button accordion. He and Marvin with the fiddle sure make some great music.

Jess Richardson from the Westline Opry in Westline Missouri was next. It is always such a pleasure to see and hear him. He is a fantastic entertainer with a great talent. I, for one, am going to get down to Westline and watch his show the first chance I get. I hope many of you do the same.

The last of our fine guest performers was Scott Gilmore, we hadn't seen him in a long, long time. Of course, his little son, Matt had his guitar and played along with the band all evening. He is going to be a star someday!! And Little Kylie danced all evening, I'll bet her legs are sore this morning.

Don't forget that we will be at the Grinter Barn Jamboree Thursday evening to celebrate St Patrick's day. I hope you all join us. The Ladies of Grinter will serve Corn & Beef & Irish Potatoes for dinner. You can pretend you are eating Corned Beef & Cabbage in honor of St. Patty's day. Only $8.00 for the dinner and a great country music show.

Finally, we hope to see everyone back at the BK Lounge next Tuesday.

Everyone stay safe and well until we see you again.

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

MARCH 8, 2011
BK LOUNGE


In spite of a nasty, cold rain this evening our faithful fans turned out in force for the regular Tuesday night show. They were not disappointed indeed.

Our very special guest was a regular on the Saturday night Annie's Country Jubilee show. Everyone enjoyed the amazing Dobro playing of Fred Uzell. He is such a talented musician and I for one, really enjoy listening to Dobro music. Also joining us; Fred's son, Pat Uzell did a very fine job of playing Mary's solid bass for several songs during the second half.

In the first half, Annie Little joined the band for three or four well-received songs. As always the audience really appreciates Annie's beautiful voice and singing ability.

Early in the second half, Ron Fine took his place with the band and as usual grabbed the audience attention while he performed flawlessly for us. He is an outstanding entertainer and always much appreciated.

We hope you all come in again next Tuesday for our regular show at the BK Lounge and don't forget that Thursday, March 17 is the Grinter Barn Jamboree. The ladies will be serving Corn, Beef & Irish Potatoes; they say we should pretend we are having Corned Beef & Cabbage in honor of St. Patrick's day. Only $8,00 gets the dinner plus the regular show by the Stranger Creek Band.

We hope you are making plans for our "Rock & Roll" show at the regular Grinter Barn Jamboree on April 21. Plan to dress for the occasion of dancing and listening to the Rock & Roll music of the 50's & 60's. The ladies of Grinter are planning to serve Sloppy Jo sandwiches, chips and root beer floats in honor of the occasion. It's going to be a fun filled evening and we look forward to you all joining us. I bet the ladies have some surprises planned for us, too.

Below: Fred Uzell. Thanks to Jean Hightower and Susan Morales for their help with this photo.




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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

BK LOUNGE

OUR SPECIAL GUEST AT THE BK LOUNGE NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 8 WILL BE ONE OF OUR FAVORITES, MR. FRED UZELL. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW FRED PLAYS DOBRO EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT ON ANNIE'S COUNTRY JUBILEE. COME ON OUT, I'M SURE YOU WILL ENJOY LISTENING TO THIS TALENTED MUSICIAN.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

MARCH 1, 2011
BK LOUNGE


It was a beautiful day and the weather brought out a great crowd for tonight's show. We had a near capacity group and they were enthusiastic from the first beat.

What a show we were getting, too. Once again we were honored to have from Annie's Country Jubilee; Miss Annie Dunavin and steel guitar and fiddle player Vance Monday. Annie is a wonderful entertainer and Vance is a talented, outstanding musician. It was also a great pleasure to listen as Annie Little and Ron Fine did their usual wonderful job of entertaining us with several songs. Larry Dean was not yet fully back to normal so he limited his singing. The rest of the band and our wonderful guests were outstanding as they joined together to fill in for Larry.

The band sang "Happy Birthday" for Mary Bichelmeyer whose birthday was actually yesterday but better late than never.

We were very sorry to hear that one of our most faithful fans, Rusty Nunn, was back in the Hospital with some heart problems. But wife Nancy reported he should be coming home tomorrow. We hope to see him back at his front table next Tuesday.

On Saturday, March 5,at 2:00PM, the band will go to a nursing home in Northeast Kansas City at Hospice request to play an hour or so show for a very ill patient who said he wanted to watch a country band playing for dancers. We need dancers to help us out in making this patients wish come true. If you are interested in joining in this effort, contact Rosie Inman for all of the information.

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

Below; Annie Dunavin and Vance Monday. We are grateful to Nancy Nunn for taking these photos for us.












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