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Website Report for March for Rebels Retreat
Hi there!
Overall March has been a good month at Rebels Retreat. We've had some good artists, most of them old friends, and a great Roundup. (The latter
will appear in a different report – written as soon as I've finished this one.)
Preacher is the same as usual, trundling on about everything and making everybody laugh. His favourite topic is the Air Ambulance Weekend (5th and
6th of September this year if I'm not mistaken) As I write (April 6th) the total already collected is over £1,000 which is utterly awesome!
Jenny is still in charge of the raffle, and making sure that her supposed relatives are winning the prizes. Well, that's what Preacher says
– though some of the relationships he mentions stretch the imagination!
Well, let's see who the artists have been. Grandpa T. Smith was first up. He's an adorable looking Grandpa, extremely jovial, and we all
thought that he was absolutely great. He sang a good range of songs, pleasing all the punters – dancers, listeners and Westerners. I've noted a Johnny Cash medley, Alan Jackson's 'Love's Got a
hold On You,' and Randy Travis' 'Digging up Bones,' ending with the truly Western 'Happy Trails.' Preacher gave him a standing ovation at the end of his act, which sure don't happen
often. It was good to see that amongst the audience on this evening were some return visitors from Bolton.
Another return artist was O.J. Reynolds. He's a real good singer, and another cheerful guy. Mind you, he and his wife Mel have plenty to be
cheerful about as she is expecting a baby. O.J. and Mel have had a personal sadness in their lives which has resulted in their support of SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society.)
Anyway we had another great night, and O.J. added to the enjoyment by bring along Clarissa from Macclesfield, a very young, very talented singer,
who sang some songs by Patsy Cline and Martina McBride. O.J.'s programme was pretty good too, including Hank Williams' 'Take These Chains From My Heart,' Merle Haggard's 'Mama's Hungry
Eyes' and George Strait's 'Father's Love.' I wouldn't be surprised if O.J. wasn't originally a trained singer as he enunciates well and has a melodious voice.
On the 15th we had a visit from Dave West Junior who has a really awesome stage presence, being tall and mostly dressed in black. However,
he's a genial guy and his programme included several songs that seem real Western to me, including 'Coward Of The County,'The Gambler' and 'The Union Mare And The Confederate Grey.' Mind you
there were lots of different types of songs, including some good line dance ones.
This evening was sure memorable for the fact that Preacher was being sponsored to be silent for an hour in aid of the County Air Ambulance. This
made £185, which shows just how much Preacher's silence is appreciated!
I now miss out the Roundup Weekend, and go straight to Saturday 29th and Carolann B. What a great lady she is, really reminiscent of the original
female Country singers – not that she sings only 'female' songs, she sings a whole range – 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles' (from her new CD 'Easy On The Eyes'), Tim
McGraw's Back When' and her specialty 'Seven Spanish Angels,' which includes an extra verse. Carolann isn't just a singer, she's a whole act, and her big personality can fill any room.
It was with sadness that we received the news that Nora, Preacher's mother, had passed away during the week. Curly included a fourth shot in the
American Trilogy in her memory. (I will include a piece about Nora and some photos elsewhere on this website.)
In the Fast Draw Frosty is well in front, with David in second place, but now that the youngsters – Miss Maverick, Desert Rose, Tom Horne
and Short Fire (trained by Rusty) – are getting involved, who knows what the future will hold?
Gives you hope, doesn't it?
See yah,
Mrs Rusty
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