ENTERTAINMENT
Bring your lawn chairs to the Grove to watch all the entertainment.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 ~ 6 PM ~ The Midway Stage
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.
Wednesday, July 22 ~ 7:30 PM & Friday, July 24 ~ 8:30 PM
The Midway Stage
“Music Makes Us All Feel Better.” It’s a simple philosophy, one that Lois Ann Marler takes to heart. Each performance – whether at festivals, banquets, veteran homes, fundraisers, parades or corporate parties – is a high-energy, interactive show. Born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, Lois Ann proudly claims her hillbilly heritage, though her repertoire spans genres to include not only country, but jazz standards, rock and pop. She produces “A Tribute to Love” – a one-hour USO-style show featuring Lois Ann in glittering gowns and feather boas – that transports audiences on a voyage to yesteryear. Lois Ann is associate editor for The Kaleidoscope Weekly, as well as senior writer. She delights in sharing stories of fellow Ozarks residents. Family support means everything to Lois Ann, and she thanks her husband, Kevin Marler, and two children, Rachel and Timothy, for their undying love. For more information, visit Lois Ann’s website, loisannmarler.com.
Thursday, July 23 ~ 8 PM & Friday, July 24 ~ 6 PM ~ The Grove Stage
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 just completed his new CD “Living in the Moment” and his new music video “Before the Next Time”, the first single from the CD both soon to be released. The video was produced and directed by Bill McComb and Joshua Gibbs.
Joshua is presently based out of Rolla and also works as a Director of Music Therapy at Heritage Park Skilled Care in Rolla. Joshua frequently performs at area venues and has a local radio program on KKID every Thursday morning at 7 AM and performs professionally statewide and nationally. Joshua also works as a Music Therapist at health facilities throughout Missouri.
Joshua volunteers his fundraising performances for the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association and other charity organizations and encourages others to support them. Just like many others, Joshua feels that together we can all change the world for the better. Joshua Gibbs can be contacted at: jwgibbs@fidmail.com or visit his website at www.joshua4peace.com.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 ~ 9:30 PM ~ The Grandstand Stage
Hillbilly Authority as the name suggests provides a range of music including Country, Traditional Country, Southern Rock, and New Age Country with some Classic Rock for just the right mix to keep the crowd wanting more. Hillbilly Authority a full six piece band consisting of lead and backup vocals, drums, lead and acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, and a secret weapon, the fiddle. Hillbilly Authority is comprised of seasoned musicians with a broad variety of musical backgrounds who are proud to share the stage together. The all star lineup includes Greg Manis, Scott Lesinski, Mike Hatfield, and Greg Bunton. Get a sneak peak at http://www.myspace.com/hillbillyauthority.
Friday, July 24, 2009 ~ 6:30 PM ~ The Midway Stage
Cecil Williams also know as Panhandle Slim, is a guitar-plunking, horse-riding, tale-telling cowboy enthusiast who spins yarns and sings songs about the Black West. His six foot-two foot frame reminds one of Gary Cooper and his easy drawl, plus the quick wit of Will Rogers. A delightful narrator of little-known facts of lives of black pioneer men and women, he can charm an audience within minutes as he starts talking about his “chaw stick” (sassafras root) and how to brew tea from it. Williams tells exciting stories and sad stories, all of them true.
Born on a ranch in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, Williams’ family moved when he was two years of age and settled across the road from the Grayhorse Indian Reservation, Oklahoma. Some of his stories are about his boyhood friends who were full blooded Osage Indians bearing the proud names of Read Eagle, Beartracks, Bears, Tallchief, The Ravens, White Eagle, and Little Stars and their fine Pinto ponies which were the envy of the county.
High school years were spent in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, at which time he did ranch work for a local rancher. Williams graduated fro Langston University, Langston, OK and a few months later went into the Army. After leaving the Army he became a technical instructor at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. He was transferred to Rolla, MO as a cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey and in 1960 transferred to the Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA, where he remained for 24 years.
Slim returned with his wife to the Ozarks in 1984 and spends his free time documenting stories he hears as a chilled at his grandfather’s knee. His grandfather, Henry Williams, chose to lead the life of a lawman and became deputy sheriff of the all black town of Langston, OK. A close friend, Bill Pickett, on of the first working black cowboys and rodeo stars in the Oklahoma Territory, fathered the art of bulldogging.
Using monologues and original authentic story songs, he recaptures the spirit of the West and rekindles pride in our Western Heritage.
Friday, July 24, 2009 ~ 8 PM ~ The Grove Stage
The Lost Outlaw Band has been playing music throughout mid-Missouri since 2002. Playing a mixture of classic country, classic rock, and their original music the band entertains at fairs, parties, weddings, clubs, and just about anywhere people want to have a good time.
Band members consist of veteran musician, Rick Gehlert of Owensville, who has earned a reputation of being a great singer and one of the finest lead guitar players around. His quick wit and humor brings a little comedy to the show and keeps the audience smiling.
Stacey Smith of Belle, also an extremely talented vocalist, plays guitar and is an accomplished songwriter. Stacey currently has a CD on the market entitled, “Stace Alan and The Lost Outlaw Band”. Stacey’s songs portray the Southern Rock sound in its purest form. The CD will soon be for sale online at www.cdbaby.com and will also be available for purchase before and after the show at Phelps County fair on July 24th. For more information on Stace Alan and The Lost Outlaw Band, go to www.myspace.com/stacealan.
Levan Guinn of Belle is another singing member of The Lost Outlaw Band. Levan is a singer, songwriter, and plays acoustic guitar for the band. Levan currently has a CD selling online at cdbaby.com, which is simply entitled “Levan”. Levan’s heartfelt lyrics and music are a mixture of country, rock, folk, and bluegrass and the CD was made with the help of The Lost Outlaw Band and vocalist, Anita Ludwig. Levan’s CD will also be available for purchase before and after the show at the Phelps County fair. Information on Levan’s CD can be found on www.cdbaby.com and www.myspace.com/levanguinn.
Dave Hinson, also from Belle, plays bass guitar for the band. Dave enjoys playing with The Lost Outlaw Band and his contagious smile always seems to spread throughout the crowd.
Jerry Perkins, the man with the beat in the band, and is also from Belle. Jerry plays the drums for The Lost Outlaw Band and shows extraordinary flexibility. Jerry is as comfortable playing an old country song as he is playing rock. Stacey, Rick, and Levan have been working together to compose original music for a new CD featuring The Lost Outlaw Band. If all goes well, the new CD will also be available at their Phelps County Fair performance
Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 2:30 PM ~ The Grove Stage
Imagine....four guys, four voices, nothing else. No musical accompaniment. No fanfare. No "song and dance." Master's Praise simply chooses 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 youMaster'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 their pastime, but their passion, and they would like to share it with you. Master's Praise will be in the recording studio July 2009 for their upcoming CD. You may visit their website at www.masterspraise.com to register for their mailing list.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 5:30 PM ~ The Midway Stage
It all started with a pair of rowdy home schooled boys running around half-naked in Superman capes to the hypergetic strains of Star Wars music. Those brothers are Eric and Christian Barfield, and this is the strange yet true story of how Watching Judas began.
Growing up studying the works of T.S. Eliot, Hemingway, and Poe, as well as an unhealthy number of Three Stooges and Looney Tunes, Eric began to compose at the tender age of seven years old, co-writing a song with his father and musical mentor, Michael Barfield. Christian soon was drawn into the musical vortex, stretching his ever-changing voice to sing along to groups like DC Talk, Jars of Clay, and A.D.
Both boys took piano lessons under protest, and began the tedious chore of progressing past "Heart and Soul."
Time flew by. The lads grew up. And after driving music lovers everywhere to the brink of insanity with countless renditions of originals on any piano keyboard not glued shut, Eric was able to convince Christian to lend his vocal/piano talents to the music. After a short debate, they christened the band "Watching Judas" and set out to unearth two unsuspecting musicians to complete the dream group they had imagined.
Soon after the talented bassist and long-time friend Paul Nahrgang joined Watching Judas. It was inevitable since Eric had once given Paul piano lessons, infecting him with subliminal messages that someday Eric would ask him to play in a band and his answer would be, "Yes, of course." They’re still waiting for Paul to snap out of the spell and realize he’s in the band.
These days, Watching Judas packs a pair of blazing keyboards, bass, and drum kit, and they're not afraid to use them. Armed with a battery of thought-provoking lyrics, hooks, and a healthy appreciation for all of us living in a fallen world, Watching Judas keeps busy creating music and playing wherever they’re invited.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 6:30 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.
No Leaf Clover is a true rock band. Four people who sound like a five 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.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 7:30 PM ~ The Midway Stage
The Pruett Family information coming soon......
Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 9 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 Mehmert 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. Pierpoint released their second album titled Life Inbetween March 2009.
Please thank our sponsors for bringing this event to you.
Columbia College
Triple H Construction & Farm Services, LLC