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Topic: Hank Thompson--An Evening In Colorado City, Tex |
Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Jul 2006 1:14 am |
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An evening with Hank Thompson is an evening well spent. Because of the super efforts of Doyle and Debbie Mitchell, over 200 country music lovers were able to enjoy swing music from one of the legends of our time. Hank was superb in his presentation of all his all time favorites.
Backed by a band made up of Curtis Potter--bass, Jim Loessberg--steel guitar, Reggie Rueffer--fiddle, and Randy Lovell--Drums, Hank appeared to really enjoy the evening, and shared several stories of his past life.
Jim Loessberg continues to amaze me with his efforts. Wow! what a player. One would have thought Jim had been the steeler on every one of Hanks releases. Jim and I spent several minutes reminiscing old times, and both of us were amazed at remembering Jim had seen his Dad, Les, playing only pedal steel, and I had never seen Les playing anything but his old quad stand up lapper. Ah, the differences in the generation gap. LOL
And if you get tired of likes of Tommy Jackson, Reggie Rueffer will awaken your love for old time fiddle playing. This youngster can bring cold chills to a dead man with his bow strokes on one of the best toned fiddles I've ever heard. What a player.
Curtis Potter opened the show with several of his CD releases. He finished his part of the show with "A Way To Survive" and gave Jim Loessberg an opportunity to show all of us steelers how it really should be played. Curtis is looking very well after his recent heart surgery, and he's getting his weight back. He looks the epitome of good health and told me he has never felt better in his life. But his wife, Pat, continues to fret over him, and that's good.
The evening was topped off by a 'dining in' at Dandy's Diner, where you can get the best chicken fried steak in the entire state of Texas. Glad I don't live in Colorado City, I'd weigh 400 pounds in a month.
I don't believe I've ever seen a crowd that was "more into the music" than the folks from all over west Texas who were in attendance. More applause for perfomers than I've ever seen. Easy to imagine why, when you have the mayor, Jim Baum, who by the way also owns one of the best country music radio stations--KVMC--in the state, leading the charge. He's a great supporter for these events, and a good friend of the promoters Doyle and Debbie Mitchell. Mr. Baum presented Hank with the key to the city of Colorado City at the dining in. Hank's statement, when receiving the key, was; "Is this the key to get IN, or get OUT of town?" Brought the house down.
Lots of pictures, taken by my granddaughter, Dovie, and myself and we'll have them up on the website as soon as they're ready. It was a great night for this old music dinosaur, and a lot of lovers of PURE COUNTRY music..
Phred
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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904
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Doyle Mitchell
From:
Loraine, Texas
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Posted 28 Jul 2006 4:56 am
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| Fred, thanks for those nice words. I assure you the pleasure was ours. The band was super and played their hearts out.I felt sorry for Jim having to drive back to Austin after that meal, we were all so stuffed I barely made it home with out going to sleep.We are all so exited to have Curtis Potter join up with the C. City Opry for our monthly shows, he is looking great and still has the vocal range to break glass. Not to mention that he is one of the nicest and most courteous entertainers I have ever known. I have never seen Curtis without that big smile on his face. It was my first time to hear Reggie play, myself and several of the area musicians were watching from side stage and this guy knocked us out. Randy Lovell was right on as always, a big thank you to all these guys from the opry. HANK THOMPSON, what can I say? I spent the entire afternoon with he and his wife and nicer people I have never met. Hank is as good of entertainer off stage as on. he kept me laughing all afternoon and kept us all laughing at the diner. It was indeed a great day in Colorado City, Tx. and a big thank you to all that made it possible from the C.City Opry. Debby and I will be leaving for the Branson jam today but pictures will be posted on our website when we return Monday, www.ccityopry.com |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2006 10:58 am
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Very happy to hear both you guys reporting in on the time spent with one of the true greats in music. To see him myself is one of the few dreams I have left, seeing Les Paul is another and probably will never realise either, but your posts were terrific and I can't wait for the pix.
Thank you gentlemen, and to others who may do the same. |
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Doyle Mitchell
From:
Loraine, Texas
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Posted 28 Jul 2006 11:34 am
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| Ron, meeting Hank and most of all getting a chance to introduce him live on stage was a rush for me as well. Having him in this small of a town was due to the efforts of my good friend Curtis Potter who fronted him for many years. It was a dream come true for many of Hanks fans that would never have otherwise had a chance to meet him, much less sit beside him and visit one on one. Hank told the crowd ," I will stay until every last one of you have had a chance to sit and talk with me if it takes all night" that my friend is what super stars are made of! Debby will post pictures this afternoon on our website at www.ccityopry.com I am afraid she will even post the one where Curtis sneaked up and kissed me!! Dang that guy!!! Ron, this is Hanks sunset tour, I hope you can catch him somewhere this year. |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Aug 2006 5:08 am
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Just put up the photos of the Hank Thompson show in Colorado City, Texas, July 27, 2006. Go to the website below and clik on "hank thompson" on the left hand margin. It is a slide show.....Jim Loessberg on steel and the famous Curtis Potter on bass. What a night.
clik here
Phred
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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 3 Aug 2006 2:39 pm
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| Hey Phred,,and Doyle,,,,,looks like I missed one of those once in a lifetime things,,,maybe I'll get another chance. The pics are GREAT,,,Curtis looks very well,,,,and Hank is ageless,,,,,,Glad ya'll enjoyed it,,,thanks for all the effort to bring country music lovers a great show. |
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Lonnie Portwood
From:
Jacksonville, fl. USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2006 5:26 pm
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| I was'nt there but I can tell you that you had the best drummer I ever worked with, Randy Lovell. Randy lived here in Jacksonville, Fl. and was our drummer for several years, and I sure do miss him! Lonnie Portwood |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Aug 2006 9:37 pm
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Lonnie you know of what you speak. Randy is one of the best country skin beaters I've ever heard. He's currently playing with the Crossfire band out of Abilene, Texas. The band has both the Rains brothers, Bob on steel, and Larry on lead guitar, along with Tony Adams on Bass, and of course Randy on hides. He and Tony are a tremendous rhythm section. We're very fortunate to have him here.
Phred
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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904
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