AREA COMMUNITY NEWS: Tickets available now for ‘Bonaparte Music Bonanza’

BONAPARTE -- The Bonaparte Friends of the Library announce 'Bonaparte Music Bonanza” is set for Feb. 23 in the Bonaparte School Gymnasium.

A free will offering soup supper will be held 5-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria prior to the show.

The show starts at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now by calling 641-233-7917.

The caliber of talent that the volunteer musicians and vocalists who have come together to put on this show is nothing short of amazing, said the organizers.

Farmington native Rod Rider once left home to perform in the country music circuit. He toured with CMA greats such as Waylon Jennings and Charlie Daniels and others, as their opening act. His smooth country sound is a crowd pleaser. He is glad to be back home sharing his talent frequently throughout the county. He and his wife are now the caretakers at Indian Lake Park.

If you like hearing those guitar strings wait until you hear Marvin Warth of Bonaparte and Mike Browning of Farmington. Both of these gentlemen have been playing guitar for many years. Each has his own different style and sound.

Gospel vocalist Deb Frank will be singing some if her favorites, as will recording artist and fellow gospel singer Amy Fellows. Fellows has recorded three CDs so far in her career.

Recording artist Diana Upton-Hill will bring energy to the stage. In 2016, her single 'Southern Gentlemen” broke onto the Top 50 Country Songs list. In this song, Upton-Hill sings of those well-mannered men of the south. The song was produced by Grammy award-winning artist, songwriter and producer Bryan White.

A brother-sister act that has been a crowd favorite in and around the area are Justin and Jolene Snider. They will each perform a solo for the crowd and their country duet is quite fun to watch. The Sniper kids come from a talented family. Their aunt Tianna Westercamp Fincher has sung at many events and also will perform at the Bonanza. Don't be surprised to hear a little yodeling echo in the gym.

Bringing a little toe-tapping bluegrass sound to the stage is fiddling favorite Kirk Brandenberger. This guy had been playing a fiddle since he was 8 years old and has won many awards. Brandenberger played fiddle for bluegrass legend Larry Sparks. As a member of Sparks's Lonesome Ramblers, he was the fiddle player on Sparks's 'John Deere Tractor” pivotal career album. Because of his award-winning talent, Brandenberger has had the opportunity to play at festivals with bluegrass icons. Brandenberger is the executive director of the Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau.

A man who has played with Brandenberger in the past also will perform on stage: Tom Allen from Keosauqua. Allen was recently seen playing his guitar and singing to a crowd on RFD-TV when the River Valley Lodge, Campground and Horse Camp was featured.

Tickling the ivories will be Matt Mitchell of Mt. Pleasant. Mitchell, principal of Harmony Elementary, is an accomplished piano player. He often plays the piano in the school cafeteria during lunch, and the students partipate by singing along. Mitchell will accompany a student performer, as well as perform some solo numbers.

A voice that many will recognize from performing in the former Farmington Jamboree is Brandon Cochenour. He will be singing some of his favorites.

There is always a little comedy in every show and this one is no exception. A long-time crowd favorite at the Clark County Mule Festival is Myrtle May. That red-lipped kissing clown is quite excited to be coming to entertain young and old alike.

Long-time KILJ radio broadcast personality John Kuhens will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening, and if Kuhens isn't telling a joke or a story you can always count on a story being told by Dale Billingsley of Bonaparte.

Proceeds from 'Bonaparte Music Bonanza” will go toward purchasing non-fiction books for the Bonaparte Public Library.

Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization.