Kentucky Opry.
Red Barn Convention Center
Boot City Opry
Truman Lake Opry

This edition of Local Oprys take us back to Fairview Ohio to the Pennyroyal Opera House.
I’ll be honest Ohio has REALLY interesting music venues and festivals, and I LOVE Cincinnati. I LOVE
going up there and this one makes me even more excited to go soon. I might have to hire an Ohio helper
to cover more events up there.

They are located off Hwy 70 exit 198 in Fairview Ohio and The kitchen opens at 5 pm and the shows start at 7 pm.
Admission is $12, children 12 and under are half price.
There are NO advance ticket sales, first come first served. They are located between Cambridge Ohio and Wheeling Wv.

You can take a short tour of the facility on their website and I understand they have meals before
every show. This venue appears to seat several hundred people and is easily found off the interstate.
It’s hosted by Frank And Cathy Gadd and here’s how to contact them.
For more information,
call Frank and Cathy Gadd at (740) 492-0375
The kitchen opens at 5PM and the show begins at 7PM.

Just a few weeks ago I was sent an album called “From Wine To The Whiskey” from Cow Jack Records
that was released by Jon Emery And The Dry County Drinkers. This band has been billed as Sacramento’s
hardest working local band.
I learned about this band by writing articles for a local show in Rio Linda California called Honky Tonk For Hunger.

This is a small group of bands and artists that hold local music shows in their area and you
can attend the show by bringing in non perishable food items to combat hunger. To my understanding
you can also bring clothes or make a monetary donation.

He is a really nice guy I have kept contact with him through social media and he sent me a really
nice package with an album that I’ll tell you about. The names of the songs alone left me yearning
to stick it in my player but since I got it before starting work, I had to wait.

One of the best songs on the album in my opinion was “Clean Shaven, Sober and Celibate.
Another good song was “Shit Kickin Blues”.
He is influenced heavily by the Honky Tonk Legends of yesteryear the likes of Jerry Reed and
Johnny Paycheck yet on his own terms he is maintaining his own more modern sound and juxtaposing the
two together.

“The Last Real Bar In California” is a song from his 2005 band Jon Emery And The Heart broken and
for over five years they blazed a trail through their area and played shows.
Jon Emery suffered a nearly fatal encounter with Gall stones (Of which I am WELL familiar with)..
he had to rest and regroup after the 2009 pain.
In 2010 JonEmery teamed up with former members Ghosts Of Wyoming Jerry Lewis, Russell Ryan and
Harley Lee Walker to begin what would be called “Dry County Drinkers” before being hospitalized.

THIS FROM HIS WEBSITE:
Now being, how he describes, the only original member of the band he joined over 4 years ago,
JonEmery & The Dry County Drinkers have met success by being paired up with some of the
biggest names in Country Music like Ronnie Milsap, Commander Cody and David Allan Coe.
Regional Heroes like Red Meat, The Pine Box Boys and Helllbound Glory. Independent Icons
like Whitey Morgan And The 78’s, Outlaw Bob Wayne & The Carnies and The Supersuckers and even Unlikely Successes like Josh Gracin, Moonshine Bandits and Alien Ant Farm. Dry County Drinkers, in their
4 year stint, have been nominated 5 Years in a row for Outstanding Alt Country/Country Band by
local music recognition panel The SAMMIES, having their first nomination a mere 6 months after
their upstart. They have released 3 Demo Albums which have been featured on multiple radio stations
including KRSH The Krush, Silent Storm Radio.com, Honky Tonk Junkies.com, Highway 49 and Outlaw Country
on Siruis Radio and JonEmery started the “Honky-Tonk 4 Hunger” movement – A Clothes, Canned Food and Cash Drive to help the homeless and the hungry in Yolo County & the Sacramento Valley, now in it’s 3rd year.

JonEmery and The Dry County Drinkers is THAT band that gives back more than they receive with
their community presence and public performance. Hailed as Sacramento’s hardest working band, JonEmery And
The Dry County Drinkers are the epitome of The Real Deal!

So Santa brought me a new tablet and I wanted to play with it, what better way to tinker
with it than to head down to Roberts Western World on Broadway in Nashville.
WHO YOU ASK? Why…none other than Sarah Gayle Meech.

In my opinion she is one of the BEST acts on Lower Broadway to go see, she has a heart of gold
and a voice of the heavens. She honestly LOVES her fans and remembers everybody’s name..I wished I
could do that all the time. I’m guilty of forgetting names but once she meets you she knows you.

The worst expense of downtown Nashville shows is parking..that’s costly. But I’ll tell you what
Sarah is worth whatever you spend to get there. Just take my word for it and get there.
She had her “Meech Boys” with her for this show I caught today and up front I’ll say the covers
were WELL picked out. Some VERY rarely heard covers were played tonight and I’ll tell you
once again the NEW album “Tennessee Love Song” is finished and I’m waiting orders to release
a pre-order article. I’m told it has 14 songs and YES IT WAS produced by Andy Gibson and his magic
studio..Andy no longer plays for Hank 3 (for unknown reasons).

Her steel guitarist Tommy Hammum just absolutely KILLED IT today along with her guitarist
Craig Smith. I’m going to be featuring Mr. Tommy later on in an upcoming series on steel
guitarists (Oh did I spoil that)..dangit…

She opened her set with a Harlan Howard in 1959 called “Heartaches By The Number”. Now most
of you would say it was Ray Price..and it was but Guy Mitchell recorded the most commercially
successful version. She also played ‘Tiger By The Tail” which is a good Buck Owens song
which was also penned by Harlan Howard.

“All I Want is a Honky Tonk” was a real good choice for an original opener of her set
from her debut album. For only having one album under her belt she really is creating
ONE HELL of a hoo ha down there. Robert’s is FAMOUS for birthing huge draws on their stage
like BR5-49 and Brazilbilly. Both bands recorded live albums there and became quite successful
using it as their headquarters.

She then played “One Six Pack To Go’ and Old White Boots”. She knows I’m a huge FAN OF HER
SONG “fOOLISH”. I JUST love HER VOICE WITH THAT STEEL made possible by Tommy Hammum who just
got off tour with Wynnona Judd and has played with so many Legends of Country Music.
He sang on some songs too, like “Going Down That Road Feeling Bad”..and he also did a REALLY NICE
version of “Steel Guitar Rag”.

Her new songs she played were called “Love Of Mine” and the other new one was called “Bar Again”.
And so far from what I have heard this album will be another must have in your collection.
And we only have to wait until March to pre-order it.

Craig Smith on the lead guitar…wow..what can I say? He absolutely blew the roof off
the damn bar. His tone was very unique and he belted out some rowdy ass riffs.
As they played “Honky Tonk Blues” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough” the tip jar had to be
dumped out twice! You know folks she works for TIPS so instead of your 5 dollar foamy coffee
why not help her pay bills?

“sound Of A Heartbreak” is a really good original song from her first album..I’m telling
you if you have not checked her out DO IT NOW!
She followed up with “Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty Wells and “One Good Thing”, which is
the title track of her first album.
Hank Cochran’s “I Fall To Pieces” was another great cover song she does. along with another
original “Drink Myself To Sleep”.

JUST HER AND THE STEEL MAN TOMMY played “Golden Ring” and “Your Cheat’n Heart”.
I’d LOVE for her to do a show with just her and a steel guitar, man that would be
a nice combo.
“Sad And Lonely” and “I’ll Be Gone” were next followed by a Red Simpson song
“Close All The Honky Tonks”. My favorite version of that song was done by Charlie Walker
in 1965.

“No Angel” she played and the guitarist played a REALLY GOOD version of “Big River”
and his solos blasted through the whole bar. His stage presence beat ANYTHING ANY arena
show EVER COULD produce.
MY FAVORITE song she does “Foolish” and I will be honest..I don’t think she’ll ever beat
that song. Not saying she does not have the ability to write a better song…but in my opinion
she will never beat it..It’s that good.

One of the last songs they did was the guitarist singing “Halfway Down” which Patty Loveless
made popular and Billy Joe Shaver wrote it.
She closed her set with “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”. All in All I had a wonderful time
down there despite the achy damp weather. What a blessed way to spend an afternoon and see
some great friends.

Moonrunners Music Festival
Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender
Nelsonville Music Festival
Muddy Roots Music Festival
Outer Banks Island Bluegrass Festival
Muddy Roots Spring Weekender
Ruckus In The Boonies
Crooked Smile Music Festival
John Hartford Memorial Festival
Lone Oak Festival
Merlefest
Duck Creek Log Jam
The Ross Key Country Spring Fling

This portion of my 2015 Music Festivals Series takes us to Oregon to Ruckus In The Boonies, hosted by none other than Dogbite Harris. I featured this festival last year and I understand it was a great success.

This event takes place on July 31st-August 2nd 2015 at Bucknum’s Tavern on downtown Heppner Oregon. I have no information YET about hotels and this is an outdoor event in It’s second year of happening. THIS IS the OFFICIAL lineup of this festival announcement. I want to thank Dogbite Harris for allowing me to bring you this information!

Sorry folks all the hotel rooms have been taken for this event but there IS camping available in the nearby area. Now from reading The Official Website there is camping available
at Willow Creek Campground And RV Park in Heppner.

Joining them are their sponsor Lucky Supreme Tattoo from Oregon City, Oregon. And I’m told there are more sponsors to come so HERE IS the official list of bands performing.

Filthy Still
Whiskeydick
Saint Christopher
Owen Mays
Hard Money Saints
Billy Cook
Stoned Evergreen Travelers
Dog Bite Harris
Krista Blackburn
Billy Hood
Jake Roy
Skyler Evans
Mean Street Meanie
Johnny Pabst
Roy Dean
Justene Marie
John Hamhock And The Rooster Run Band
Savage Henrys
Harley Bourbon
Whiskey Hooves
Darci Carlson
Hard Money Saints
Coffin Hunter
Jayke Orvis
Sean Wheeler And Zander Schloss
Roger Alan Wade
Ridge Runner Randy
Nicole Pike

One of the FINEST record labels out today that features Independent Country Music and Bluegrass Music is Heart Of Texas Records. They have SO MANY really good artists and Legends of Country Music too.They feature Country Legend Bobby Lewis who was recently inducted into The Atlanta Country Music Hall Of Fame. They also feature Tony Booth, Darrell McCall, Johnny Bush and Norma Jean as well as NEW Country Artists like Georgette Jones and Amber Digby.

You know I often hear people say they hate how “new country” sounds and they don’t listen to it and they wish that the “Old Country” sound would come back. Well IT NEVER LEFT and it exists quite well in underground music. And labels like Heart Of Texas Records produces some of the finest REAL Country Music out there.

Now they bring you the 2015 Heart Of Texas Records calender which you can order HERE.
THIS FROM THE WEBSITE:
Our 2015 Calendars contain hundreds of birthdays of your favorite Country Music Stars plus 8 X 10 photos of Norma Jean, Dottsy, Kaye Tolson, Johnny Bush, Diane McCall, Kim Murray, Tony Booth, Frankie Miller, Tommy Hooker, Darrell and Mona McCall, Bobby G. Rice, Bobby Lewis, Justin Trevion, Curtis Potter, Amber Digby, Georgette Jones, Rance Norton, Guyanne McCall, Landon Dodd and George Hamilton IV.

We also feature quotes from Gene Watson, Jake Hooker, Ronnie Prophet, Kelly Spinks, Mrs. Hank Thompson, Jan Howard, Mary Lou Turner, Dallas Wayne, Billy Parker and David McCormick.

The calendar also features over thirty five photos from our 25 years of promoting Traditional Country Music including Ferlin Husky, George Jones, Moe Bandy, Kitty Wells, Big Bill Lister, Jimmy Dickens, Cal Smith, Jack Greene, Tony Douglas, the Whites, Justin Tubb, Ray Price, Freddie Hart, Jean Shepard and more!

They also offer the 25th Anniversary Collection which brings you a sampler off A TON of their artists in a three CD set. It’s a GREAT way to research all the fine artists they offer and here is a set list of all the albums. For the small price of twenty bucks you get A TON of good Country Music.

Disc One
1. Neon Nightmare-Johnny Bush
2. Play Me The Truth-Tony Booth
3. Songs Of The Cherokee Cowboy-Curtis Potter & Willie Nelson
4. Who’ll Be The First-Justin Trevino
5. My Reason For Living-Ferlin Husky
6. Heaven Help The Working Girl-Norma Jean
7. I Gotta Have My Baby Back-Floyd Tillman & Ray Price
8. It’s A Long Way From Heaven-Amber Digby
9. Perfect Stranger-Landon Dodd
10. Most Of All-Darrell McCall
11. Texas Dance Hall Girl-Rance Norton
12. Bandera-Mona McCall
13. From Heaven To Heartache-Bobby Lewis
14. Let Me Go-Kimberly Murray
15. Meet Me In Texas-Dottsy
16. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again-Joe Paul Nichols & Moe Bandy
17. Back When Gas Was Thirty Cents A Gallon-Frankie Miller
18. Us-Diane McCall
19. Ole Worn Out Cowboys-Johnny Bush & Johnny Rodriguez
20. Deep Water-Tommy Hooker

Disc Two
1. April First-Darrell McCall
2. Storms Never Last
3. Jambalaya-Frank Torres & Big Bill Lister
4. Please Come Back With My Heart-Norma Jean
5. When Loving Me Was Wrong-Johnny Bush
6. Second Time Around-Georgette Jones
7. An Old Memory Got In My Eye-Ferlin Husky
8. Before This Day Ends-George Hamilton IV
9. I Don’t Wanna Cry-Curtis Potter
10. If You Were Me-Frankie Miller
11. Deep As Your Pocket-Amber Digby
12. Don’t Leave The Leaving Up To Me-Justin Trevino
13. Invitation To The Blues-Joe Paul Nichols
14. Faded Love-Tommy Hooker
15. This Cold War With You-Floyd Tillman & Merle Haggard
16. I’m Gonna Break Every Heart In Town-Damian O’Grady
17. You Lay So Easy On My Mind-Bobby G. Rice
18. There’s Something About A Lady-Landon Dodd
19. Sometimes I Talk In My Sleep-Tony Booth
20. I’ll Be There-Kaye Tolson

Disc Three
1. I Thought I Heard You Call My Name-The Survivors
2. It Makes No Difference Now-Floyd Tillman & Mel Tillis
3. Sweet Lips-Mona McCall
4. I Went Crazy For A While-Johnny Bush
5. Loser’s Game-Amber Digby
6. Let’s Fall In Love Again-Joe Paul Nichols & Barbara Fairchild
7. Truck Driving Man-George Hamilton IV
8. We’re Both Lying To Me-Kimberley Murray
9. Big Mamou-Don Wallace & Fiddlin Frenchie Burke
10. Run Woman Run-Georgette Jones & Amber Digby
11. Hello Mary Lou-Bobby Lewis
12. A Couple More Years-Norma Jean & Daniel O’Donnell
13. Take A Look At This Broken Heart of Mine-Ferlin Husky
14. Danny Boy-Curtis Potter
15. Little Ole Dime-Tony Booth
16. A Little South of Memphis-Frankie Miller
17. The Marionette-Darrell McCall
18. My First Night Without You-Justin Trevino
19. My Imagination-Diane McCall
20. The End-Rance Norton.

Their 26th Anniversary tickets go on sale on February 3rd and it takes place in March.
If you go on their website there is just a TON of events in the Texas area from
SO MANY Country Music artists. YOU NEED to become involved with this fine label
and what they do.