Rock-N-Country, America’s Bandstand
Sometimes you just have to let your hair down. Tonight I did just that.
My husband and I don’t often go out just for us. Many of you know that when you have kids your outings usually revolve around their lives and activities, but our town has the best musical festivals. Winfield, Kansas is known for the Walnut Valley Festival, a large bluegrass festival held every September that doubles the population of our town. This week is Prairiefest. Rock-n-Country is a new event associated with it. Tonight was the America’s Bandstand concert. Hubby and I have been talking about it for a few days. Rain, wind, lightening, thunder storms and weather warnings had us convinced we wouldn’t be going. Today, as late as lunchtime, it was still icky outside. By the time my husband got off work it was sunny with blue skies. We decided to go. We are so glad we did.
Each performer acted and sang in character. Most were so “spot-on” it sent chills down our spines. Visually and musically we were transported to another time. Oh, to be young again.
“Date Nights” are so far and few between that I had to document it. Please excuse my grainy pics. We were a bit of a distance away and the interior of the building was dim.
Donna Summer (Mariah Warren) We’ve enjoyed Mariah’s voice before as she is a former graduate of our local high school. She has a powerful voice.
Stevie Nicks (Kelly Dillner) Oh my! I closed my eyes and enjoyed Landslide. It could have been an original recording.
Eagles (Jan Hatfield and the stage band) They were fantastic!
Linda Ronstadt (Char Myrick) Char’s bio stated she has opened for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and performed in shows with Keith Whitley, Jimmy Buffet, Travis Tritt and Hank Thompson.
Janis Joplin (Piper Leigh) OMG!!! Hubby and I are in total agreement that Piper is a reincarnated Janis. We had a conversation with her following the concert and even her normal voice was totally Janis. I really wish this photo had turned out better.
Aretha Franklin (Tansy Mignon)
This is a pic at the end of the concert with all of the singers.
Our neighbor Rod Knepper played in the stage band. I didn’t realize until I read the bio in the program, but when he was younger he formed a band that is now in the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame. The band also recorded and was a front band for Dionne Warwick, Lou Christy, Pixices Three and the Beach Boys. How cool is that?!!
Now this pic is for our friend Brad. Turn your head if you must. (hehe) 🙂 Brad was here this past weekend and asked me if I had a pair of fishnet stockings. Hmm…apparently he needed them as texture for a painting project. 😉 Well, as a crafter who uses just about anything to form a creation, who am I to judge…Here you go Brad.