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and the old pick up truck got in last night from a week-end trip to Houston
and thereabouts. Met with some of my “first and very best” fans and supporters
and made tentative plans for some upcoming special events.
In the making—a special
Country Poet Music and Fun Festival.
Saturday was Governor Jimmy Davis’s
100th birthday. Greetings were received from fans from around the world.
Happy Birthday, blessings, and congratulations!
My good friends Nell and Leon Maxwell—Nell
is Jimmy’s niece—from Le Larque, Texas were on hand for the birthday party
at the Radisson in Baton Rouge among the more than a thousand dinner guests.
All six surviving former governors of Louisiana shared the fesivities.
The legendary Lewis Family,
including “Dad” Lewis, now 94, provided outstanding country, bluegrass,
and gospel music to enhance the many good wishes and awards.
Now listen to this! Jimmie, only
100 years young, not about to disappoint the assembled admirers sang five
songs including “Be Nobody’s Darling But Mine” and “You Are My Sunshine.”
There'll
be an all day singin’ and dinner on the grounds...
It’ll be hard
to keep me away from Beech Springs (near Rustin, Louisiana) on October
3 for the annual Jimmie Davis Homecoming Day. There'll be an all
day singin’ and dinner on the grounds, preceded by morning worship in the
Jimmy Davis Tabernacle. Lots of country cookin’ and loads of good music
after for everyone who comes out to cheer Jimmy on toward the year 2000,
when he becomes a “Three Century Man.” Congratulations Again.
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Leroy Thompson
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September 27 is another day I’m looking
forward to. It’s Leroy Thompson’s big program “Pioneers of Country Music.”
Leroy
and Dell have moved the pioneer programs from the Bronco Bowl in Dallas
out to the Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch at Lancaster, Texas. (4523 Houston School
Road, 75134).
This is a real reunion for everyone
interested in the country music and for “retired performers” of past generations
who paid the price of developing the country music culture for us all to
enjoy. Call Leroy at (214) 330 0261 for information or food arrangements,
directions, and the like.
Interestingly enough, the theme song
of the Pioneers gatherings is also “You Are My Sunshine” but this “one
of a kind” venue includes country, contemporary, gospel, and a strong emphasis
on Western Swing performed by a seven member hybrid Pioneer Band including
Leroy.
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Leroy Thompson and the Three Tears Band
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Also featured will be Brother Joe
Price, Fourth Monday Singers, Hearts of Joy, and a special appearance by
87 years young Bill Callahan of the historic Callahan Brothers (Bill
and Joe) who a “few years” back kicked off what would become The Big-D
Jamboree. This will be an historically significant event in addition
to the great music, food, and fellowship.
— Frank Denton, “The Country Poet”
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