Melody Trail
June, 2006
Hello Friends:
Album-#12
It’s almost ready and will be
available around August 1, 2006. In response to many requests, my album #12 will
feature “The Les Gilliam Trio” which, of course, is Jeanne Cahill, Jerome
Campbell and yours truly. The title of the CD is “Harmony of the West” and will
include lots of western harmony and great instrumental work. For more
information about it, check the Product Information section of this newsletter.
Oklahoma
Hall of Fame Nomination
A few weeks ago, I found out
that I am a nominee for induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall Fame in the
“Country” category, along with Jean Shepard and Mel McDaniel. The winner for
this year will be announced later in the year.
Oklahoma
Steel Guitar Convention
Sure was a treat to help out
my ole buddy Curt Shoemaker at the recent Oklahoma Steel Guitar Convention in
Tulsa and got to visit with my friends Albert Talley and Curtis Potter.
Terry
Burford Show
For many years I listened to
Terry Burford on KFDI in Wichita and he was special to me. He retired and moved
back to his home town of Spring Hill, Louisiana, But radio called again and he
hooked up with KZHE in Magnolia, Arkansas. And he has been wanting me to come
see him sometime. So, a few weeks ago I was booked in El Dorado, Arkansas and
had time to drop by and be on Terry’s radio show. This two hour show was then
broadcast worldwide on the Internet. You can listen to Terry on the Internet on
. You will enjoy it.
Church
Banquets
I have been so blessed by
being able to entertain at 7 church banquets so far this year. The list includes
Village Baptist of OKC; Summit Baptist of Perry, OK; Church of Christ of
Stillwater, OK; 1st Baptist
of Inola, OK; Tallowood Baptist of Houston, Kingsland Baptist of Katy, TX; and
Immanuel Baptist of El Dorado, Arkansas. Thanks to all who were involved in any
of these.
KOSU
Being interviewed by Cami
Stinson on KOSU, Stillwater, OK was a real treat. Thanks Cami.
Calf Fry
If you have not eaten Calf
Fries (aka Mountain Oysters), you might just like them. It was a hoot to
entertain the men in Calumet, Oklahoma for their annual Calf Fry. I had planned
for Martha to go with me but they called and kindly said “We have never had a
woman attend and we ain’t starting now. “ So, Jim Parker went with me and Martha
stayed with Mary Jo.
Chuckwagon
Suppers
We always have a great time at
the Branded B in Topeka and the Red Rock Guest Ranch, Soldier, Kansas. Our
special thanks to K.K. and Bobbie Chu who came from Canada and to the Parks and
Wyens from Ohio; as well as other friends.
Midwest Arts
Alliance Shows
A few weeks ago,
it was my privilege to do shows in both
Forsyth and Gainesville, Missouri in conjunction with the Midwest Arts Alliance,
based in Kansas City. Thanks to our hosts and to all our Silver Dollar City and
Branson friends who came.
Reagan
Just a few miles north of
Tishomingo, OK, near Reagan, is an old western town built by Johnny Shackleford
and featured in several western movies. I had a lot of fun entertaining folks in
Reagan, OK for their monthly Country Jubilee.
Silver
Dollar City – 10th Year
It will be the 10th consecutive
year for me and The Silver Lake Band to work Silver Dollar City in Branson for
the Barn Dance Series. We will be there October 11-28 for three shows per day
with four shows on Saturdays. (They are closed on Monday and Tuesday in
October.) Hope you can join us.
Transitions
The first year I worked Silver
Dollar City as a solo cowboy singer, Martha and I met a couple who became our
special friends. Their names are Bud and Ann Bylund. Bud passed away recently
and he will be missed by us and all who knew him. Our love goes out to Ann and
the family.
Also, we recently lost another
good friend and fan, Lois Sigler. She and Warren are now together again. One of
the first gigs for our band was a barn dance at their farm near Lamont, OK and
we loved them both very much.
Thanks
Thanks to each of you for your
support. Hope to see you soon. Stay in touch.
Les
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