WSVS, 800AM & The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment Present an Interview and live performance by John Cowan - Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 @ 11:00AM

Hey guys I know that is a very long headline, but I wanted to be sure all of the important stuff was there for you.  Yes, you read it right, John Cowan, most famous to my readers as part of the seminal New Grass Revival, will be in the WSVS studios.  John, along with Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson and Ebo Walker formed the original New Grass Revival.  Several of these guys had also been part of the band who bred so many Newgrass styled band, The Bluegrass Alliance.  These two longhaired, hippie Bluegrass bands became the "Fathers" of a new and still continuing and growing and expanding branch of Bluegrass music known simply as newgrass.  John Cowan will be in the WSVS studios for and intimate interview and to perform some of his music on this Wednesday, December 14th, 2011.  Please, this is important.  The studio will be CLOSED to the GENERAL PUBLIC for this live show.  Do not attempt to enter the building as the doors will be locked.

Today, John is a member of the long-lived rock band, The Doobie Brothers, but the band is taking a short holiday break and, so John is using this time off to take a tour of the eastern United States on a solo tour.  WSVS was chosen as a stop along the way.  But, why is this, you may ask?  Good Question.  Read on.  WSVS first went on the air in April of 1947 and believe it or not, they occupied the same spot on the dial as the famous WSM radio of Nashville, Tennessee, 650AM.  Back then country music fans never had to adjust their radio dial.  They had great local programming of WSVS and when darkness fell they were treated to WSM and the Grand Ole Opry at night.  In 1952, Jody Rainwater (Real name Charles Johnson) left as Bassist and comedian for Flatt & Scruggs and joined the staff of WSVS as their morning air personality.  I, personally can recall hearing Jody on WSVS as early as 1953 when I was just four years old, since my mother listened to WSVS every day.  Jody, and his lovely wife, Emma, still live in the Crewe area. 

For about six months, from August 1954 until January 1955, Flatt & Scruggs made WSVS their home radio station and recorded many of the "live" shows for Martha White Mills at WSVS.  These "live" shows were sent to Nashville where they were aired every morning on WSM's early morning "Martha White Show."

Since those heady early years WSVS has continued to bring the best of traditional country music to south side Virginia, but in the not too distant past began bringing live music, specifically Bluegrass and Old Time music, back to the station with the Saturday live show, The High Noon Hoedown.  This live show hosted by Mel Payne has presented most local and regional Bluegrass bands for hour long performances.  There have also been bands from far and wide, such as Missy Raines & The New Hip, The Quebe Sisters and most recently, one half of the famous Hazel & Alice duo, Alice Gerrard, for a few great songs and an in depth interview.  The studio used is called "The Flatt & Scruggs Studio" because it is the actual studio in which Lester & Earl recorded their shows.  It has been totally restored and is a beautiful piece of radio and Bluegrass history and that brings us back to my question; why would John Cowan choose to stop at a little out of the way country radio station?  Well, you just read the reason, WSVS is a most important part of the early life of Bluegrass music and John recognizes this.  WSVS is as important today as it ever was, but our economy is handing many small radio and TV stations very small paydays.

Therefore, the decision was made to apply for a non-profit charter as, "The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (The VMRE), which has since been granted, allowing the VMRE to raise funds through public performances and public donations.

This is quoted from www.BluegrassToday.com, "Board members include the WSVS station manager since 2007, Chris Gowin, Bobby Wilcox, the Broadcast Projects Director for VMRE, Jim Eanes (no relation to the late singer with the same name), the Historical Projects Director, and the Director of Public Relations Penny Parsons, who is well known for her work in various capacities in the bluegrass music industry for over 30 years. The organization is in the process of creating an advisory board, which will include prominent veterans from the bluegrass, country and Americana music fields."  To read the entire article announcing the formation of the VMRE in BluegrassToday click here.

The VMRE is a most important endeavor and may I ask you to support their efforts by mailing donations, in any amount, to The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment, Crewe, VA, or call the station at 434-645-7734. Help keep live music on the airwaves!

The word was spread and various performers and personalities have made the pilgrimage to the WSVS studios.  One such pilgrim appeared as a surprise during the performance of The Quebe Sisters on the High Noon Hoedown one Saturday.  None other that Eddie Stubbs, announcer for The Grand Ole Opry and former Fiddler for the famed Johnson Mountain Boys walked through the front door.  He knew of WSVS from his very early interests in the history of Country and Bluegrass music (Eddie is a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge of early Country and Bluegrass).  He came by to help and support WSVS in it's efforts to preserve traditional Country and Bluegrass music and WSVS and the VMRE in keeping live music on the radio.

 

And for that very same reason, John Cowan is giving of his valuable time to help WSVS and the VMRE continue in their quest.  So, please plan to listen to this important live interview and performance by John Cowan on WSVS this Wednesday at 11:00 AM.  Those of you too far from Crewe, Virginia and the 10,000 Watt range of WSVS may listen on-line by going to www.wsvsam.com/ and click on the the "Listen Live" button.  And remember: The doors to WSVS Studios will be locked and the general public is asked to not attend this show.  It is a closed studio performance, but do listen in on WSVS, 800 AM or on-line. (Note: if I should, somehow, be invited to this show I will write another blog with pics and quotes from the show in the very near future.)  With that I'll say.....

..... "Nuff Said!"

Wesley P. Phelps: A Real Life World War II Hero in Cemetery with Bill Monroe

Most years when I attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville, Tennessee I take a drive north to Owensboro, Kentucky to tour the International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM).  During either the drive up to Owensboro or during the drive back toward Nashville I usually stop by the little Kentucky town where Bill Monroe was born, Rosine, Kentucky.  Each time I visit Rosine, I make my way to the cemetery there to pay my respects to Mr. Monroe. During one visit, a few years ago, while searching for Uncle Pen Vandiver's grave site I happened upon a rather large headstone with the name Wesley P. Phelps, PFC, USMC.  On the stone it stated that PFC Phelps was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  This is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a military man.  The highest! 

I was recently watching a TV program on PBS about famous graveyards around the country and my memory of that headstone was jogged.  I knew I had taken a picture of it, so I dug through my photo files and found the picture.  Here it is. After locating the picture I was spurred on to find out more about PFC Wesley P. Phelps.  I found out a lot about PFC Phelps in a Wikipedia entry. 

Wesley Phelps (June 12, 1923 – October 4, 1944) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the World War II Battle of Peleliu.

Wesley Phelps was born in Neafus, Kentucky on June 12, 1923. He was educated in the Ohio County, Kentucky, elementary schools and graduated from Horse Branch High School in 1942. Radio was his hobby and he had built some one-tube sets. Deciding to turn his hobby into an occupation, he went to school in Owensboro, Kentucky, for four months where he studied basic electricity, then took a three-month course in radio repair work at the Lafayette Trade School at Lexington, Kentucky. He followed that with studies in field radio repair work, and radio repair work on aircraft receivers at the Johnson Pre-Frequency Modulation School.

Although he was the sole support of his aged parents who owned and operated a 70-acre (280,000 m²) farm with his help, he was called up by the draft and was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on April 9, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

After boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Pvt Phelps was assigned to the Signal Battalion at the Marine Base at San Diego for one month and then was transferred to the Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Elliot, California. He successfully completed an eight-week course on the Browning Heavy Machine Gun, 30 caliber, and was classified as a heavy machine gunner. Pvt Phelps joined the 27th Replacement Battalion in September and left the United States on October 23, 1943, joining Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division in December, just a few days before the unit left for the combat landing on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. After the Cape Gloucester campaign, all machine gun companies in the division, of which Company M was one, were broken up and their personnel were assigned to rifle companies. In this shuffle, Pvt Phelps became a crewman on a light machine gun in Company K of the same battalion. He was promoted to private first class in April 1944.

After a so-called "rest" at Pavuvu Island in the Russell Islands, the 1st Division left for the little-publicized Peleliu Island operation. After nineteen days of bitter and costly fighting, the night of October 4, 1944 found Company K strung out along the military crest of one of the coral mountains for which Peleliu is noted. With the Marines on one slope of the hill and the Japanese on the opposite slope, rifles became useless and a series of hand grenade battles took place over a period of several days. During the night of the fourth the enemy launched a particularly vicious counterattack. PFC Phelps and a fellow Marine were in a foxhole when a Japanese grenade landed with a thud between them.

Private First Class Phelps shouted, "Look out, Shipley!" then unhesitatingly rolled over on the grenade, taking the full force of the explosion with his own body. Phelps was killed while PFC Richard Shipley received only a small scratch. The Kentucky farm boy had sacrificed his own life to save that of his buddy.

Private First Class Phelps was initially buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery on Peleliu, but was later reinterred in Rosine Cemetery, Rosine, Kentucky.

The Medal of Honor was presented to the hero's mother in Rosine, Kentucky, on April 26, 1946 by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant at Louisville, Kentucky.  Below is the offical citation signed by President Harry S. Truman.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WESLEY PHELPS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, during a savage hostile counterattack on the night of October 4, 1944. Stationed with another Marine in an advanced position when a Japanese hand grenade landed in his foxhole, Private First Class Phelps instantly shouted a warning to his comrade and rolled over on the deadly bomb, absorbing with his own Body the full, shattering impact of the exploding charge. Courageous and indomitable, Private First Class Phelps fearlessly gave his life that another might be spared serious injury and his great valor and heroic devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.^[1]

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Folks, I know there isn't much here about Bluegrass music, but I feel it such honor that I stumbled upon PFC Phelps headstone and have had the opportunity to learn about this great young man.

"NUFF SAID"

A Re-cap of the IBMA Awards for 2011

I'm back from my journey to Nashville to participate in the week long IBMA "World of Bluegrass."  I had a very good week although I must admit there were a few times when I grew weary and had that 1,000 yard stare thing going on like you see in the war movies.  There were changes this year that improved the overall experience.  Gone was the $160.00 "after hours pass."  A really stupid idea from the very start.  We tried to tell them last year, but no-one would listen.  Even Dan Hayes didn't seem to realize what was happening last year.

But ,enough about last year.  Gone was the check stand that you had to show your stamped hand at every time you passed by it, and believe me I passed by it a lot over the years.  There were some events that were completely open to the public, even though I paid good money to go to them. Okay, I'll stop fussing and since the heading is about the awards so here goes.

[There are two photographs below that I simply cannot get to stay on the blog, however if you click on the empty block (At least on my computer) they will be shown to you on another page.  Sorry for the problem]

The Master of Ceremonies of the 2001 IBMA Awards show was a pioneer of the Bluegrass idiom known as "Newgrass," Mr. Sam Bush.

The Banjo player of the year was the only tie this year.  Imagine out of all the ballots cast there were exactly the same amount cast for Ron Stewart and Kristen Scott Benson.

The winner of the IBMA Award for Fiddle Player of the year was Michael Cleveland.      

The winner of the IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year was Russell Moore.

Just a few short minutes after being named Fiddle Player of the Year, Michael Cleveland was back on stage to accept the Award as Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for his band Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and the song, "Goin' Up Dry Branch.".

The winner of the IBMA Award for Female Vocalist of the year was Dale Ann Bradley.  

The winners of the IBMA Award for Emerging Artist of the Year were The Boxcars.  Adam Steffey accepted the award for the group.

The first of the two IBMA Hall of Fame inductees was George Shuffler.

The winners of the IBMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year were The Gibson Brothers.

The second inductee into the IBMA Hall of Fame was Del McCoury.

The winner of the IBMA Award for Song of the Year went to Balsam Range for their recorded performance of "Trains I Missed."

The winners of the IBMA Award for Album of the Year were The Gibson Brothers for their album entitled "Help My Brother."

The winners for Instrumental Group of the Year were also Awarded as Emerging Artist of the Year, The Boxcars.  Accepting the award, Adam Steffey.

The IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the year and the Award for Recorded Event of the Year both go to the album "Prayer Bells In Heaven" by J. D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams.

Adam Steffey was busy at the 2001 IBMA Awards as he also won as Mandolin Player of the Year, 2011.

The 2011 IBMA Award for Guitar Player of the Year went to Bryan Sutton who was not in attendance.  Accepting the award for Bryan was Pete Wernick.  Pete told us that Bryan was attending his son's softball game.  His priorities are in order.

The 2011 IBMA Award for Bass Player of the Year went to Marshall Wilborn, whom I somehow failed to photograph.  My apologies.

The last award each year goes to the group voted as IBMA Entertainer of the Year.  This year's recipient was Steve Martin & The Sreep Canyon Rangers.  Accepting the award is Steve Martin.

At the end of the show the two inductees into the IBMA Hall of Fame were on stage together.  George Shuffler can still do some mean cross-picking on the guitar and, of course, Del McCoury is still at the peak of his performing skills.

Okay, so I know my writing here hasn't been awe inspiring, but ,hey, I feel lucky I was able to simply get the pictures into the article.  So, don't be fussing at me!  I know who you are.  And with that I think there has been......

"NUFF SAID!"

Don't Forget The Special Benefit show for Peggy Woodall @ Amelia Family Campground - September 24th, 2011

I just wanted to remind all of you about the Special Bluegrass Benefit show at the Amelia Family Campground on September 24th in support of Peggy Woodall during this most stressful time in her life.  To see my original post with all the details click here.

Just today I received an email from our friend Donna Trent in which she included a link to a you tube clip of a TV performance by the band Bluegrass To The Bone.  At the beginning of the clip Peggy's benefit is mentioned.  Please take a look by clicking on this link;

http://www2.wsls.com/entertainment/2011/sep/12/grass-bone-performs-live-ar-1303602/?referer=http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwsls.com%2Far%2F1303602%2F&h=_AQALuJfYAQAcOp4_ws46uAuxeko4AGg1zHM62jCk09PsXw&shorturl=http://bit.ly/pxXXKb

Folks, I will not be able to attend this special day for Peggy as I will be making my annual trip to Nashville to attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass.  If you can't be there like me then be sure to send along your donations to Peggy by a trusted friend.  Well, I guess that's........

"NUFF SAID!"

VFMA's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '11 - September 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th, 2011 - Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.

Here's hoping all of you survived the storms and flooding and now you're ready to enjoy a great weekend of Bluegrass music is a very pleasant setting.  I'm talkin' about the Virginia Folk Music Association's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '11" held annually at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.

I'm sorry I'm a little late with this information, but it seems since I've retired about 18 months ago, time catches up with me much too fast.  I've got a lot to tell you and I'm gonna do it short and sweet.  First and foremost, I believe, is the price of admission.  You can come to any day of the festival you choose for just $5 per day.  Yep!  just $5 per day.  That means the entire 4 days of music will cost you only $20.  Now there's something you need to know.  If you buy a three or four day ticket parking will cost you $5 for the entire weekend, no matter how often you come and go, and let me tell you that's a bargain in anyone's book.  That means for $25 total you can attend all four days of music and come and go as you please.  You just can't beat that pricing anywhere.  But, I warn you, if you think you're gonna really be thrifty and come maybe just two days and pay as you come to each day, then parking will cost you $5 each day you come. To me the only sensible thing to do is simply come to the gate and pay your $25 and get the 4 day music pass and the 4 day parking pass and simply be done with it !!!    If you choose to bring your camper, there are limited full electric hook-ups and rough camping available.  See the folks at the gate for pricing as you enter the fairgrounds.

Now here's a quick listing of the bands appearing as part of the three day festival.  On Thursday: Amy Ladd & Friends, Harper & Company, Willis River, East of Afton, Sleepy Hollow and Bobby Adams Country Bluegrass.

Friday these bands will appear: The Bluegrass Brothers (Note: The Bluegrass Brothers will be inducted as the 2011 honorees into the VFMA Country Music Hall of Fame), Willis River, Copper Ridge, Shenandoah Drive, Tom Cline & The High Mountain Drifters and River City.

Saturday boasts: Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice, Mitch Harrell & The Virginians, Code Blue, The Church Sisters, Adam McPeake and Homeward Bound.

On Sunday the VFMA will present the Virginia State Bluegrass Music Championships, open to all bands and individuals based in Virginia.  There is a $1000.00 award to the 1st place band, so this contest is worthy of your time.  Out Of The Blue, last year's champion band will be featured as guests.

I'm sure I have left things out during this hasty write-up, so be sure to check out the VFMA web page at www.vafolkmusic.org. See you in a week or so.  Until then.......

"NUFF SAID!"

Two Great Bluegrass Festivals - Coming Soon!

Yes, that's right there are two great Bluegrass Festivals coming just around the corner.  The first one is "Mr. B's Blowout" coming up over the weekend of August 25th, 26th & 27th, 2011. Followed a couple weeks later by "The Grottoes Bluegrass Festival."  So, there are big times ahead and  I better get started:

08/15/2011:  Before reading about these two great festivals I have news to share about the Beachley & Scott Band.  Barry Scott has decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career in Gospel music.  Rather than proceed as simply "Beachley," Darren and the band decided to  change the name to HeartTown.  HeartTown will fill the remainder of the Beachley & Scott tour dates.  With this name change a new member has come on board.  Greg Luck will be joining HeartTown on fiddle.

Mr.B's "Bluegrass Blowout"  August  25th, 26th &27th, 2011 - Mr, B's Bluegrass Park - Ladysmith, VA

 

For those of you who have never been to Mr. B's Park, I would like to tell you a little about it.  First of all, Mr. B has been a huge supporter of Bluegrass most of his life.  Before hosting Bluegrass festivals he operated a restaurant near Fredericksburg, VA called, you guessed it, "Mr. B's."  I've attended a few shows at Mr. B's over the years and never failed to have a most pleasant evening of Bluegrass music.  His restaurant was a huge structure that seated I would guess 300 plus people.  If any of you have been to 'The Birchmere" up in Alexandria, VA then you know how the seating works and Mr. B's.  It's first come first served and your table is not exclusively your own.  It's a great way to meet new people who share your common interest, Bluegrass.  But, I'm drifting here.  As with his restaurant, Mr. B had in mind the way he wanted his park to be arranged and since he owned the land and it was completely forested all he needed to do was draw the layout and let the bulldozers loose!..The park is laid out beautifully and has grown into a very nice park as it has matured.  The stage is situated within a nice grove of hardwood trees with bleacher-like covered seating available toward the rear of the seating area.  Otherwise, bring your lawn chair and get ready to enjoy a great weekend of Bluegrass.  And speaking of that I guess I had better tell you who's gonna be there and when.

Things get kicked off on Thursday with four bands each playing two sets apiece.  Bands playing on Thursday are : The Honakers, Milford Station, Dark Hollow and The Carolina Road Band. 

For Friday there is another big day of Bluegrass with: Code Blue, Kody Norris & The Watuga Mountain Boys, Katie Penn, Mark Templeton & Pocket Change, Special Consensus and IIIrd Tyme Out.

The Bluegrass keeps rolling along on Saturday beginning with: Leon Morris, Jay Armsworthy, Special Consensus, Beachley & Scott, Larry Gillis  and Darrell Webb.

Folks I gotta tell you that is a great line up of bands with Bluegrass to satisfy most anyone's taste.  Get off I-95 at the Ladysmith exit and turn toward U.S. Route 1.  Head north on Route 1 for about a mile and look for the Mr. B's Bluegrass Park sign to your left and you're almost there.  A three day ticket at the gate is $80, but if you just don't feel like camping why not call 804-449-6350 and ask about the package deal; motel room and 3 day pass for just $325.

"Bluegrass In The Park" The Grottoes Music Festival - September 8th, 9th & 10th, 2011. Grand Caverns Park - Grottoes, VA

I hope you get plenty of rest after attending Mr. B's because in just two short weeks there is another wonderful Bluegrass event held at the beautiful Grand Caverns Park in Grottoes, VA.  "Bluegrass In The Park" is hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Shriners, with all proceeds going to the Shriners Children's Hospital.  I've attended this festival many times and I believe I may have attended the very first one 26 years ago.  Grand Caverns Park is an amazing place. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley is this perfectly flat spot.  The tri county parks department keeps the place immaculate and it is a joy to be there for a great weekend of Bluegrass music.  Let's get a little business out of the way first.  I'm too late to tell you about the advanced ticket, so, not to worry, the festival is still a great bargain at $70 for a three day ticket.  Camping is rough only and there is a $20 fee.

Now, on to the music!  Thursday is action packed with these great bands:  Dixie Pride, Page County Ramblers, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Ralph Stanley II and The Little Roy & Lizzy Show.

Have fun jamming Thursday night, but don't jam all night because these great bands will be performing on Friday: Carroll County Ramblers, Buck & Company, Wildwood Valley Boys, Special Consensus Bluegrass Band and Darren Beachley & The Legends of Potomac (A note from Gary;  My understanding is that Darren Beachley has disbanded the Legends of The Potomac and is now teamed with his fellow Quicksilver band mate Barry Scott.)

There's a big line-up for Saturday as well.  Just take a look at who'll be performing: Kody Norris & The Watuga Mountain Boys, Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (Some of the finest and most sincere Bluegrass Gospel you are likely to hear anywhere!), Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Solid Rock and Bill Yates & The Country Gentlemen Revue.

I usually take I-64 to Waynesboro and take the Route 340 north 0 exit.  Follow Route 340 through town and drive north about 15 to 20 miles and you'll see signs directing you to Grand Caverns Park along the way.  Here's something you might find amusing.  It is one of the many many great memories I have accumulated attending Bluegrass festivals all around Virginia.   Years ago there was a Bluegrass festival held just a few miles north of Waynesboro.  The park was called, Orange Blossom Park (Named after a central figure in the Shenandoah Valley Bluegrass scene, the late, Mr. Jim Orange, who hosted this festival).  Everyone knew how to get to the park.  How!?!?  Easy, we knew to turn right at the "Purple Cow Head."  Take a look as you're heading north on Route 340 out of Waynesboro and see if you notice the Purple Cow Head!

Well, that about covers these two wonderful festivals.  I hope you'll mark your calendar and make the decision to attend these two shows.  Until next time....

"NUFF SAID!"

Bluegrass Benefit show for Peggy Woodall - September 24th, 2011 - Amelia Family Campground

Those of us who know Peggy Woodall are, indeed, fortunate.  I have described her to many as "The Hostess With the Mostest!"  Peggy is tireless when it comes to making her friends feel comfortable whenever they visit her campsite and I'm sure it's that way at home, too.  She is a whirlwind around the campsite and will not rest until everyone has been offered what ever she has.

Peggy is a most sincere Bluegrass music fan.  If there's no jamming going on at her campsite she will range far and wide to gather pickers and singers back to her camp.   She and her husband, Jack, share this love of the music.  Jack is an instrument buyer and trader and Peggy is right there by his side offering advice and help.  They are a team and she is Jack's right hand woman!  Those of us close to Peggy all love her.  But, alas, Peggy has suffered some medical complications in her life and the expenses have been great.  She needs our help!

Therefore, there will be a special Bluegrass Benefit Show for Peggy this coming September 24th, 2011, at the Amelia Family Campground.  The show will start at 2PM and run until 9PM, but if I know Peggy and her friends, there'll be jamming on late into the night.  Home made bean soup and hot dogs will be available for a donation.  There'll be a 50/50 drawing and everyone is asked to bring home made desserts such as cakes and pies.  Bring whatever your specialty is and it will be offered for auction to help raise cash for Peggy. 

Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs and your instruments, too;you never know! ;~}).  Besides the items to be auctioned, please bring a side dish to go along with the soup and hot dogs.  We're family, so let's all pitch in and help.  Hey!  There's gonna be bands playing the entire afternoon and evening.  Bands who have donated their time are: Donnie Mason & In The Tradition;  Billie Sue & Mill Run; Eddie Gill & The Grassmasters, The Willis River Band, plus Code Blue. 

The Hutchinson Family welcomes campers by offering hook-ups at $15 per night.  Special thanks are offered to George Thomas for providing sound for the event and to the J. B. Hutchinson Family for allowing the use of the pavilion and the campground for this very special benefit.

If more information is needed please call Mary or Charlie Morgan at; 804-598-5262 or J. B. Hutchinson at: 804-561-3011.  Don't forget to bring lots of cash with you to the benefit and let's have fun supporting one of the finest ladies anyone is ever likely to meet, Peggy Woodall.  I would like to offer one more note of thanks; Donna Trent has acted as the voice for Peggy & Jack throughout this very trying time in their lives and we all owe her a special thanks for being there for us, too.  Thank you, Donna!

And, may I ask one more thing of you?  Please keep Peggy and Jack in your prayers.

"NUFF SAID!"