Editorial

Home folks to share their musical talent

Friday, September 16, 2005

McCook is so lucky ... so extraordinarily lucky ... to have gifted performers willing to share their talents for community causes. It happens over and over again ... at community theater presentations, at barbershop singing shows and at spontaneous events, such as last week's Gulf Coast Relief fund-raising theatrics along B Street.

And, soon, the McCook stars of song and stage will be at it again. As a highlight of the 2005 Heritage Days celebration, 17 of the town's talented performers will be presenting a musical trip around the United States.

The show -- with an admission price of only $5 per person -- will be presented Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Fox Theater, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Yes, we live in small town America. And, yes, all of the performers are amateurs. But, when you hear them in person you will think you are listening to a big time, professional program.

"When I hear Greg Hepp sing 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix,' it sends shivers up my spine," says Walt Sehnert. "I really think Greg does the song better than Glen Campbell."

Wow. What praise. But it is indicative of the quality that will be in evidence throughout the Heritage Days show.

Jean Sehnert, who is coordinating the Musical Revue with her husband, Walt, smiles when she tells about Charlie Coleman, who will be singing, "All My Exes Live in Texas (That's Why I Hang My Hat in Tennessee)" That, too, is a classic, presented professionally and humorously by Charlie and the Heritage Days singers.

Other featured performers are Janet Hepp, Russ and Sue Ankersen, Kathy Latta, Sheryl Havens, JeriLynn Karr, Angie Reiners, Carl Philo, Merlin Brown, Walt and Jean Sehnert and Henry Guerrero. Also making special appearances will be Lil' Country, Derrick Judd, and the Saggy Bottom Boys, composed of Gene Malleck, Andre Lefebvre and Russ Ankerson.

The musical tour of the United States will feature parts of 38 songs, including such all-time favorites as "Sioux City Sue," "Chicago," "New York, New York," "Oklahoma," and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." A medley of songs will also pay tribute to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The serious moments will be blended with good, old-fashioned fun and some antics which border on being downright goofy.

Yet, amid the showmanship, the talent will shine through, making us proud that the Heritage Days singers are home folks, sharing their musical gifts with friends and neighbors during McCook's Heritage celebration.

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