ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday, Aug. 13 & Thursday, Aug. 14 ~ 6:30 PM ~ The Midway
Lois Ann Marler was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks and proudly claims her hillbilly heritage. She began singing in the church choir as a teenager, and since that time has expanded her repertoire to include anything from the blues to country to early jazz. With a strong belief that “music makes us all feel better,” she volunteers her time and talents at nursing homes and retirement communities to perform “A Tribute to Love,” a one-hour show that she produced to honor and entertain older Americans.
Lois Ann performs at Ozark Actors Theatre (Rolla), Ozark Hills Theater (Lebanon), and works in the field of entertainment management. She also works as a freelance writer, and her columns appear often in The Kaleidoscope Weekly. Family support means everything to Lois Ann, and she thanks her husband, Kevin Marler, and two children, Rachel and Timothy, for their undying love. She says, “I am honored to perform at the 2008 Phelps County Fair.”
Wednesday, Aug. 13 & Thursday, Aug. 14 ~ 8:00 PM ~ The Midway
Joshua Gibbs is a singer/songwriter and performing/recording artist. The son of a preacher man and professional entertainer himself, Joshua learned a lot from his father and also from being raised in the church. Joshua has a long association with many hit-making entertainers in the music industry including Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, The Allman Brothers, Toto, Simon & Garfunkel, and toured with surviving members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and many others.
Joshua is presently at work on a new CD of all original material and will soon begin production on a music video in support of his song “Before the Next Time”. Joshua will be performing Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Phelps County Fair, August 13 & 14, 2008.
He will also be judging the Talent Contest at the Fair, a talent contest in which he won when he was a teenager growing up in Rolla. Joshua is presently based out of Rolla and also works as a Director of Music Therapy for a major health corporation. Joshua frequently performs at area venues such at his long time friend's restaurant, El Maquey regularly. Joshua spends countless hours volunteering at for community events such as fund rasiers for the American Cancer Society and many others. He also has a local radio program on KKID every Thursday morning at 7:00 AM. You may contact Joshua Gibbs for your community events at jwgibbs@fidmail.com.
Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 6:00 PM ~ The Grove
No Leaf Clover ~ Michael Connors is a very effective guitar player who has shared the stage with many great musicians. In an early start of his career he recorded a 4 song demo at the age of 18 at Fireside studios on Music Row with the A list session players in Nashville. After which he was invited to move to Nashville to front Hank Williams Jrs ‘Bama Band in 2000. Hank was not touring much and his band continued to stay busy so they entertained the thought of having a new singer front the band. So Michael moved, and the real life of a musician began. Staying in Nashville for 2 years he learned a lot of the business and every weekend could be found at the world Famous Tootsies Orchid lounge in downtown Nashville, as well as Roberts’s boots and Legends corner. Meeting with Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Clarks Family Experience, Leanne Womack, Michael Peterson, George Jones, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, Ray Price. It seemed like everyday he was running into someone who knew a thing or two about the business. Also to gain membership to ASCAP he performed with Kenny Chesnee’s band at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Sounds like a country story right? Wrong, things fell through with Hanks band becoming frustrated with the predicament and not liking anything he heard on country radio. He went back to what was natural to him, rock and blues. Moving back to Missouri he formed a band Chrome Cowboy that went on to do a few shows and opened up for Exile and had a great response! They disbanded and Michael went solo to do some more country and went on to win Nashville Star Search at Gaylord Entertainment Center in 2005. Turning down the record deals offered at the time due to loosing freedom of what he could choose to play, he went back to Missouri and landed a gig playing guitar for Elvis Lives Tribute band. Were Rich key was playing bass. That’s a whole story in its self. Michael and Rich began jamming and Rich said he could play drums so the mission became finding a bass player. They found Travis Hutchens. This is where No Leaf Clover began.
Travis Hutchens is short, sweet, and to the point and always bringing down the thunder. Travis started playing bass 3 years ago and that just goes to show. Some people go to college and pick up a degree but Travis applied himself to bass. Learning riffs from Peanut, Flea, Victor Wuton, and 311. He has come so far in the past 3 years. He was throne into the music circuit so fast. Jumping on a tour with Bodisartha and traveling all over the U.S. Now he plays in the band No Limits, and is the solid foundation in No Leaf Clover. What better way to learn than to just go for it. Travis is a great musician.
Rich Key a multi talented at playing piano, drums, vocals and bass Rich is no beginner. He is a musician for Merrimac Theatre. Rich has traveled in many bands: Lucky Day, Front Line for Evangel University. 1999 male vocalist of the year in Missouri and went on to place 2nd in the nation for the National Fine Arts Association. Also playing bass and singing in Elvis Lives Tribute band. He can put down some serious rhythm.
No Leaf Clover is a true rock band. Three people who sound like a 5 piece band. If you like Zeppelin, Metallica and Chevelle type stuff, you will love this show. Playing for Colleges, schools and doing there own shows they promote everything a rock band should be, hard working, dedicated and being drug free. Anyone any age can attend these shows. Check out the sounds of No Leaf Clover at www.myspace.com/noleafcloverinc.
Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 6:30 PM ~ The Midway
The World's Finest Rolla German Band (WFRGB) is a non-profit organization consisting of musicians wishing to encourage musical appreciation. It is based in Rolla, Missouri and performs for benefit events and for parties and usually performs in the Mid Missouri area. The fees charged are donated to area charities to support local music. The instrumentation includes: tenor horns (baritone horns), trumpets, trombones, tuba, clarinets and percussion. The musicians include professors, retirees, students and other local volunteers. It has an extensive repertoire of music and most of it, more than 300 pieces, has been written or arranged former member: Harold Cleveland. The band leader and contact is Don Sparlin (sparlin@mst.edu), a retired physics professor.
Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 7:45 PM ~ The Grove
With a new, cutting edge approach to modern rock, Pierpoint of Columbia, MO exhibits heavy, progressive guitar work from powerful duo Adam Lindsey and Adam Voight, complemented by the melodic vocals of frontman Brian Peterson. Joined by the hard-hitting, tight rhythm section of bassist Donnie Memhert and drummer Zack Blomberg, Pierpoint is a breath of fresh air in a time when washed up metal and trendy emo bands water down the music scene. Pierpoint brings to the table a refreshing blend of one part heavy, zero parts pop, four parts rock shaken, not stirred. First taking the stage in early 2003, Pierpoint dedicated their beginning years to composing material and fine-tuning their intense, energetic stage performance at numerous venues across Missouri. The band released their debut, self-produced album Another Mans Treasure in December 2004 to a packed house at The Blue Note in Columbia. Crowd favorite, Runaway, can be heard on 100.1 KBBM The Buzz in Columbia-Jefferson City. Another Mans Treasure is available via the website at http://www.pierpointonline.com/ and assorted local music stores. Pierpoint has sold 500 plus records as of April 2005, and the numbers are climbing.
Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 9:30 PM ~ The Grove
3rd Day Of May is composed of some of the finest regionally renowned musicians including Max (Ronnie) Voight on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jason Conran lead guitar, Derek Ranabargar on drums. These incredible musicians found success in other bands not only in Central Missouri, but on the West Coast as well. As a member/ originator of the group Soundtrapp, Max was brought to California for a management deal. While fulfilling his contract he frequented several LA area clubs including The Whiskey and The Joint. Derek and is also noted for his time in LA working with world-class producer Val Garay in the former group, Klaim. They shared the stage with many national acts including Sponge, Bowling for Soup and Blue October and Wild Child. Jason Has devoted the past 3 years to being a studio musician. He has worked with a lot of we’ll known producers and a lot of big name acts. He is very eager to be joining this group of talented musicians. Now that they’re all back in Missouri, these friends have found a challenge in raising the bar on this new project. With over 35 years of industry knowledge between them, there are no limits to what they can achieve. The unforgettable hooks and smooth voice of Max, the catchy guitar licks of Jason and a great rhythm sec. provided by Derek. You can get a preview of the music at www.myspace.com/3rddayofmay
Be sure to check them out at the fair in august for an unforgettable performance.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 ~ 2:30 PM ~ The Grove
Imagine....four guys, four voices, nothing else. No musical accompaniment. No fanfare. No "song and dance." We simply choose to use the greatest instrument God ever created -- the human voice -- in order to praise the God of creation. It is our pleasure to introduce to you Master's Praise, a mid-Missouri vocal group. Incorporating a mixture of contemporary and traditional songs, we offer praise to the Master with pure and simple harmony. Singing is not just our pastime, but our passion, and we would like to share it with you. Visit their website at www.masterspraise.com.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 ~ 5:30 PM ~ The Grove
Beverly’s Hillbillies is a local traditional bluegrass band with added flavor of old country. Their music is comprised of all acoustical instrumentation that delivers a natural tone to each sound, along with harmonious vocal blends. Roger Matthews not only has smooth baritone singing, but also is very versatile with his style of banjo playing whether it be soft melodic licks to hard-core picking. Jimmie Allison is no stranger to the Rolla area and is known for his strong lead voice. He also can sing every part when called upon and will tear up the guitar with his solid lead and rhythm playing. Allen Ousley adds flavor to the band with his hot licks on the mandolin. Grace Caudill provides charm with her soft harmony vocals and will get your toes tapping as she rips out a good ole fiddle tune. Beverly Spencer keeps the beat on the upright bass along with adding the blend of tenor vocals. And Larry Wyrick adds a touch of class with his licks on the dobro.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 ~ 7:00 PM ~ The Grove
Back In The Saddle - In the early 90’s, brothers Carl and Jim Mager had somewhat given up playing music on any kind of a sustained scale. In fact, Jim had retired from the business all together and Carl was not involved in anything musically at the time. Jeremiah, Jim’s son, had pulled his dad’s bass out the case and was just messing around with it. Before long he had taught himself how to play. The next thing he did was call his Uncle Carl and ask if he would consider starting a little band. Nothing serious, of course. With that request, Carl called Jim and said, “That boy of yours wants to play a little music, are you up for doing anything?” Thus, the start of Back In The Saddle; and, guess how they arrived at the name of the band? They still needed a drummer; so, they called an old friend from the past named, Joe Smith. Joe was working with another group, but since he was ready for something different, he decided to come over and help out his old pals, Jim and Carl.
After years of doing covers, the brothers thought it might be interesting to try their hand at songwriting and record a CD. Jim and Carl basically financed the project and into the studio they went. Four months later they released the self-tilted project called, “Back In The Saddle.” The CD resulted in a collection of ten songs that were either written, or co-written, by Carl and Jim. The CD was well received by the band’s following and local media.
After winning the local Jimmy Dean Country Showdown sponsored by Litchfield, IL country station WSMI, they traveled to Springfield, IL for the state competition and finished 3rd. Since then they have appeared on “Show Me St. Louis” and were voted “Band of the Year” for three consecutive years by the River Bend Growth Association and have had the opportunities to open for a few nationally known artists.
Over the years, the band developed its own style, personality and stage presence. In January 2006, the band was taken in a new direction of pursuing larger venues, events and stage shows. There was also another change taking place. Joe Smith decided to pursue other things outside of music and left the band. He was replaced by friend Adam Ward. Adam soon left us to start the next phase of his life with his lovely wife. Enter....Mike Edwards. Mike has played for a couple different bands and brings with him many years of experience on the drums.
As the band has refined and honed its craft, the group stays busy performing for private parties, fairs, festivals, and charity events across Illinois and Missouri. Providing a quality entertainment product and helping folks have a good time are what the boys strive for on a continuing basis.
Visit their website at www.backinthesaddleinfo.com.
Please thank our sponsors for bringing this event to you.
Columbia College