Don’t miss performance on FM 90.3 Saturday

By Ricky Swindle

Muffler Shop Musings

 

Howdy Friends!

Ya’ll getting ready for gun season to open tomorrow ? I know I am.

My wife is glad too because she will get her some well deserved “me time” that comes along yearly when she has the opportunity to be without me.

Folks, Civitan Radio Day was a total success. We raised over $21,000 at our last count with money still coming in daily.

This is Civitan’s largest fundraiser of the year. It’s the one that funds everything else for us. It allows us to do what we do best, and that is to help others.

For the first time in our history we do not have a Sweet Potato King this year. We have a Sweet Potato Princess and her name is Miss Harlee Renfro!

We appreciate all of our loyal long time business people who sponsor Radio Day year in and out. We also thank our bidders and listeners as well.It’s just a fun day.

We also are very grateful for Chad Martin and Johnny Pace at Undefined Radio. That pair along with Rick Mize and the Super Talk Radio Group have helped us remain on the airwaves and sustain our most important fundraiser for the past 3 years.

Gaines Baker won the Donald Trump gun and donated it back to the club. We’re working on a little twist for that rifle and you will see it again next year.

It was just a dandy day all the way around. We’re looking forward to next year already. Our date is set now. The 2020 Civitan Radio Day will be Oct. 31. We’re going to have a Halloween blowout that day.

Speaking of good folks, Leigh and me we’re invited by Alice Bickerstaff to attend the taping of The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour at Off Square Books in Oxford last week.

The Jonathan Ellis Family, originally from Pope and Bethany Baptist Church, now making their home in Mountain View, Ark., was there to perform.

Those kids have played on The Local Yokels Show for years at any time I asked them to come. They played for us at the Batesville Library on one of our shows, and that is where Alice was introduced to them.

Alice, a long time Batesville Library worker, is now employing her great talent for the Thacker Mountain folks, and she just had to have the Ellis Family on a show.

Friends, when those kids tore into their 90 mph gospel bluegrass music the people there we’re on their feet cheering them on. It was amazing. I’d compare it to snagging lightning out of the clear blue sky.

Those young’uns have hit another level in their musical journey.

We were so proud watching these kids tear the house down.

To think and remember the growth they have attained with their talent is awe inspiring. Singing, playing, and worshipping The Lord right there for all to see and hear.

The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour will rebroadcast on MS Public Radio on Saturday night at 7 p.m. You can tune in to 90.3 FM in Oxford and hear the Ellis Family for yourself.

They’re good, really good. They will make you proud to be from Panola County just to hear them play.

A lot of local Christmas parades are coming up. If you would like to be a part of the Batesville Parade you may contact Mark Shields at 662-934-1006.

Our parade has steadily gotten better and better the past few years, and it’s all owed to community participation. Now it’s your turn to join a civic event. Give Ol’ Mark a call.