The Running Creek Band and co-hosts Mike Shing and Enola Gay Mathews brought the Reilly Springs Jamboree to town on Saturday January 18, 2020. The venue attracted upwards of 100 music lovers and chili lovers! Some arrived early to enjoy Big G’s Chuckwagon Chili, beans and cornbread, and the array of homemade pies and cakes prepared by Mathews.
Jamboree producer Mathews and co-host Mike Shing fronted the Running Creek Band, made up of lead guitarist Gary Jones of Winnsboro, bass man Hal Roper of Mt. Pleasant, and on keys, Harry King of the PIttsburg area. Filling in as drummer was Joe Clark, as Bill Langley could not be present. Guest DeWayne Farrow also played guitar with the band.
Traditional country, old-time gospel and patriotic music set the theme for the talent showcase. Guests included Kenya Duffey Chaffer of Sulphur Springs. Kenya blessed the crowd with her selections of Amazing Grace and An Old Rugged Cross, and switched over to country and performed “Dont Close Your Eyes” made famous by Keith Whitley, and “Run” and “Blue Clear Sky” which were hits by George Strait. Kenya and her husband Charles are owners of Chaffer’s Place, where they teach music as well as home school students.
Janet Adams of the Winnsboro area puts on her Patsy Cline character at venues all around Northeast Texas, where she also portrays Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton and performs their signature songs. Raised in a family where music was always played, she grew up hearing the roots of country music. Janet has a strong and pure voice and loves performing at Oprys, parties, and dances. She also has adopted and is raising her four small grandchildren.
A former school band director now making his home in the Caddo Mills area, DeWayne keeps busy in his church work and in recording music for CDs. He possesses a strong baritone and multi-octave voice, plays several instruments, and specializes in Chet Atkins-style guitar and other country styles. DeWayne blessed the audience with a gospel selection called “He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need” plus beloved country songs. DeWayne names the Country Gospel Music Association (CGMA)and the International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA) as a few of his favorite music involvements.
“My co-host Mike Shing and I went to great lengths to move this show to town, and were rewarded by a great turnout and lots of love from the audience. Now, the Reilly Springs Jamboree goes back to it’s home stage at the Reilly Springs Community Center for a performance each month on the third-Saturday night. On our next show, set for Saturday February 15, 2020, the music will start at 6pm with The Running Creek Band. Special guest will be R.J. Vandygriff. This cowboy artist started out in the Sulphur Springs and Paris area and reached heights with hit recordings during the 1970’s. He then did rodeo and stunt work, made over 100 appearances on Walker, Texas Ranger then did a 3-year engagement at Branson with his Joe Texas character and ‘The Cowboy An’t Dead Yet’ comedy stage play. Robert Joe is returning ‘home’ on the Valentine weekend, and the Jamboree is one of the places he will appear. Don’t miss this!” Mathews went on say that the February Jamboree will also include local DJ celebrity Norm Allen with original music and stories from the road, and Amy Asbill Patrick who sings gospel and country. Pastor Doyle Hayes of Peerless, Texas will bring his band and perform songs he’s written and recently recorded at the Brad Davis Music Studio in Commerce, Texas.
