Blog notes...October 17, 2008

Well, 5 o'clock came early on the day we struck off for Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo.  We packed a bunch of stuff (did you ever go cross-country with a bass?)   In the big 12 passenger van and headed east.  We were to meet up with Brock Benjamin in Joplin.  Brock, (our banjo, mandolin player) now lives in Topeka, Ks and he was to meet us at the Wal-Mart in Joplin. There was some delay there.  You'd be surprised at how many Wal-Marts are in Joplin!!

We finally got to SDC in time for our 3:00 set.  Thus began a wonderful experience that we got to share with several of our friends from Winfield and Cowley County.  Among others, we were supported by the Delbert Graham Clan, Bruce and Billie Wells, the Jerry Munsons, Larry and Melissa Whitley,   Ann Frazier from Springfield, and several handsome ladies from the local banks, and Mark Taylor with his date.   

We were privileged to play three 30 minute sets on each of five days, Wed. through Sunday.  The crowds were good and the weather was even better.  We got to stay in the beautiful lake home of Gale and Georgia Premer (who even cooked for us).  Among the other musicians there were the Wilders, Special Consensus and the great Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band which includes our friend Kenny Glasgow.

The Gazebo Stage we were on is right inside the entrance.  The rest of the park was downhill from there.  (Literally).  Rex didn't go to the bottom of the hill much because there was that hike back up. (We wouldn't let him rent a motorized cart). There were some wonderful places to eat down there, but he settled for corn dogs, near the mule hitch.  We went one night on the Branson Belle, which is a huge river paddleboat.  It was a great meal and show, although Andrea insisted on wearing a life jacket the whole time. 

We finished on Sunday night and got back home to rejoin the real world and get back to our honest jobs.  It was great. We are waiting for the phone to ring so we can do it again.  Ned I.