Well , I finally got to hear some live music last weekend .. Rearvue Mirror Set up outside in front of the Coffee Cup and I got to drive up , park close and listen . Weather was perfect and the crowd was adequate ! It was a March Birthday party that Wanda Sue Wyatt instigated. Several friends had gotten a year older and nowadays reaching another Birthday is a mighty good thing.
Rearvue Mirror had the sound dialed in and sounded great. They have been playing quite a bit lately and except for their drummer dropping sticks and fumbling a countoff or two , they were very tight ! They will be at the Choctaw Casino Sat. the 16th and Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak on Sat. the 23rd ! Make plans to catch their show.
Prayers go out to the Family of Tulsan singer Jeff Carson . He passed away last week at the young age of 58 . Jeff had several Country chart hits but his best known song was “The Car” which received Video of the Year award in 1994 . The band in Hillbilly Heaven just gained another great one ! Gone too soon.
One event to make plans for is “The Hank Williams Sr. Tribute Show” coming soon ! Everybody has a favorite Hank Sr. song . There was a practice last week to polish the music and get tighter . Singers are Randy Smith , MIke Vaughn , J.B. Lloyd , Wendall Giles , Kenny Maddox and Doug Lovell ! I’ve had the chance to play with all of them but Mike Vaughn . I understand that he is from McCurtain Co. and adds a lot to the Show ! It will be a night of memories in Country music to honor and recognize the talent of singing and songwriting that seemed to come as natural as breathing did for “Luke , the Drifter” . He wrote songs bout life ! Good times and bad – heartbreaking bad ! He was such a prolific songwriter that rumors have it that he was writing lying in the backseat of his Cadillac the night that he died . On the floorboard were several empty cans and some unfinished handwritten lyrics . Wonder what happened to the lyrics?
Anyway , This Show’s “Drifting Cowboy Band” has some talented musicians in it ! Randy Fennell had the initial idea for this project so they had to let him play steel and guitar . Wendall Giles will not only sing , he will add the fiddle/dawghouse bass to the songs . Sometimes playing and singing both ! At the same time ! Then Bob Hayes -Guitar/Steel , Ricky Ward-Lead (on his 1974 Gibson 335 td with original case), Rhythm guitar will be covered by all the singers. Haven’t heard if they have locked in a drummer , so if you might be interested , contact me and I’ll hook ya up ! I even get credit as “Da Promoter.”
I am excited to hear this bunch . The set list covers over 30 of Hanks’ songs ! They have been working hard on the Show . The first one will be in April – Mo’ Info soon.
Connie Abbott and Country Pride will be over the line at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center on April Fools Day – Friday the 1st . Seems appropriate with Ole’ Smilin’ Bob Garrett on stage ! Naw , Bob tells some funny jokes most of the time ! Music starts at 7 pm with dancing following purty close !
Then Connie and Dave Abbott will play for a fundraiser at the Reichert Fire Station the next day – Sat. the 2nd . These fundraisers and benefits in our area will always have music because one group or several bands will step up to donate their music ! Makes me proud to be a part of the musicians that give generously and from the heart , their time and talents whenever there is a need ! PLUS it’s a Chili Supper ! Music and food will start at 4pm and last til the chili is gone . All proceeds will go to the Reichert Cemetery Association to cover the cost of cleanup and mowing . If ya can’t make it and would like to send a few dollars , contact me and I’ll get ya info !
Musicians ReUnion #3 ( This Sat. the 2nd) will be a free event at the Amphitheatre behind the Don W. Reynolds City Center ! This family Friendly event will be a gathering of longtime friends that just happen to play and sing ! It is a whole afternoon of music starting at Noon ! Oh Ya ! It will be J.B. Lloyd’s Birthday , too ! For info bout this event call J.B. 918-448-6141 . Bring a lawn chair .
There will be food(pulled-pork sandwiches) and drinks provided by the guys at Recovery Ranch and these guys are awesome cooks . The small charge for the meal will go to support Recovery Ranch , a men’s recovery program that has been a Godsend to LeFlore Co. in helping many men find their way to Christ , get cleaned-up and put their families back together . It’s an awesome program ! Kane Riggs oversees the Ranch and has been an inspiration to me and the guys that complete the year-long commitment !
But back to the music ! Schedule is – 12-2pm J.B. Lloyd & Co. , 2 pm will be The Wildhorse Band , 3 pm- Oklahoma Moon , 3:30 – Make It a Double , 4 pm – Lloyd’s Boys , 5 pm Gospel Music – open mic ! What a day ! What a lineup ! Come by for a super afternoon of Friends , Fellowship and great music ! Might even get a piece of Birthdat cake !
The weather looks to be in the upper 60’s and cloudy so bring a lawnchair and your dancing shoes ! There will be the sound of music from Reichert to Poteau and beyond ! Hope ya get a chance to Support Live Music in our area !
For info , contact me at 918-649-5736 ! Still got a couple of pups to give to a good home !