I think there is evidence to invoke a distinctive term for the Indiana Hard Core Country Band -- It is a feel good band, a band you feel comfortable listening to, with no unsettling surprises. Sort of like an automobile in which you have full confidence, get in and start the motor and know what to expect from performance.

This is a stand alone statement, and is in no way a comparison between this band and the other three -- oops, make that four other bands that come under our umbrella of "house bands."

We do not have a single band that has not developed followers who have asked us to have it play every Saturday.

We could have four bands each do 1/4 of a show some Saturday. Say that would be a good idea ONLY if you are willing to pay four times as much admission to the show!

Band members read these columns and do get their feelings hurt if I hint to something one does well when in fact all do well. Considering that, the following comment refers to Saturday night's show but could on specific dates be applied to any of the other bands:

I was appreciative of the kindness and cooperation of the Hard Core Country Band in backing the guest artist, which last night was Monet Becker. Monet, now 13, did well, especially so with Go Down in The River to Pray." Her a'Capella performance drew a round of two ovations. Of course the band only listened to that song, but they made her look good with the rest and listened respectfully to the one.

She last sang here with David Berry and the Canyon Creek Band, which did not know many of her songs. But David made up for that as she ended her second set appearance by calling her back for a duet with him of "Jackson" that was over the top.

Matt Lyerla always has been patient with guest singers with the Dixie Creek Road Show ... some good and some not so good. He has sung duets with mediocre voices.

Meanwhile ...

Michael Goodman of the Michael Goodman Experience books his own guests. He will not have a problem next Saturday helping his guest look good. Clinton Spaulding has more stage experience even than Monet. He is undoubtedly the busiest teen-age singer in the area if not the state, singing wherever he can and to audiences ranging from senior citizens in nursing homes to opening the show for national headliners at Renfro Valley. And we mean booking three or four gigs a week.

We have mentioned four bands in this writing, all favorably. (If I am to criticize, it will not be in a newsletter.)

Then there is the Reflections Band, including an Elvis impersonator, in a show June 9 that also will make room for Jory and Turner Hutchens and Patrick Hutchins of Sassafras fame. This is a show you do NOT want to miss under any circumstances, a one-time thing. We will tell you more about that another day, but soon.

While we have your attention, advance ticket sales for the Narvel Felts show July 14 will start in about a week -- as soon as we have the tickets from the printing volunteer.

We have four Saturday night jamboree shows a month -- five in June. If you have a favorite band, that's great, don't miss when it plays. But if everyone in our audiences chooses one band and one alone, well, when the other three run the course, so does the fourth. You could miss Music Ranch USA.

We need the support of all our Music Ranch family, and we hope you bring friends. Bring them any Saturday night. If they enjoy traditional country, they will see a show that will make you proud. Money back guarantee. Honest.

Rube

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