G&F Band

Twenty-four years ago, the BRC founder recruited a group of Bluegrass musicians to perform at an inaugural autumn Pumpkin Festival in a nearby farming village. All tips were donated to the local Children`s Hospital, and thus began what is now nearly a quarter century of jam sessions supporting the Children’s Miracle Network.

Since then, the band has performed benefits at multiple venues in mid Missouri including saloons, street festivals, and gala dinners. On special holiday occasions, our vocal trio sings at the bedsides of hospitalized children. For the last decade, the `Gainor & Friends` pickers and singers have been graciously based at a family-friendly brewpub in our university town where we perform every Sunday for the brunch hour patrons. This last week, our total tip collections for the Children’s Hospital surpassed $25K in donations. 

At the brewpub, curious children come up to the bandstand to study the musicians and dance to the upbeat music and song. The bandleader allows the youngsters to strum his banjo while smiling parents take photos and videos. The youngsters are then asked to raise their right hand and take the “Banjo Kid Pledge”  which is as follows: I promise to always do what my mom and dad say.

Parents beam and the music goes on. Lucky us- what could be more fun on a Sunday afternoon?

It was a busy month. Glowing comments to make a banjo guy`s head spin, customers` e-feedback on two purchased BRC 5-stringers were “Even more beautiful in person and sounds great!” and “Thanks!!! Lovely instrument and work of art.” Shortly after receipt of  these much appreciated and heady remarks, St. Patrick`s Day came around at mid month, and the BRC founders`s band was notified:

“Amigos- Last weekend, our total tip collections for the MU Children`s Hospital surpassed $24K. Gainor & Friends is grateful to the Broadway Brewery for graciously hosting our band and supporting child health care in Missouri. On average, the G&F musicians have donated $1K per year to the Children`s Miracle Network since our beginnings well over two decades ago. You guys are the best.”

These hearty congratulations for this milestone were promptly followed by the first calendar day of Spring which hopefully concludes our remarkably inclement Missouri winter. The lake behind the BRC workshop has thawed, and the shoreline is beginning to slowly green again in the gleam of revived sunshine. The clan of turtles that resides in waters at the foot of our weeping willow tree will soon reemerge from their deep hideaways as temperatures rise. A seasonal question from a grandchild: If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?

Answer: Pilgrims

Nestled on the shoreline of the Missouri River, the township of Boonville has a rich history. Its centerpiece is the Thespian Hall theater built 1855-1857.

When the Civil War erupted, the building served as a hospital and later a barracks for Federal Troops. Although the Hall had transfer of ownership on several occasions in the many  years that followed and saw some hard times, the community ultimately organized to preserve it. It now resides in the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a venue for music festivals and theater productions.

The BRC founder`s band performs at Boonville`s annual Festival of Lights street fair each autumn, and this year our benefit  gig was staged on the steps of this historic building which is the oldest active theater west of the Alleghenies. At tune-up time, the temperature was 90 degrees, but a cool breeze and shade from the church steeple across the street soon made the bandstand a welcoming platform. The townsfolk were appreciative of the Bluegrass music and generous in their donations to the Children`s Hospital.  School girls danced on the nearby street corner, and young lads with skateboards across the street gave the band members a thumbs-up.  It was a fun evening for the festival goers and musicians.