G&F Band

It was a muggy, sweltering day for the 10th Annual Harley Davidson dealership street fest to benefit the Children`s Hospital, and “TJ” the hospital mascot was on-site at the biker shop (click to enlarge).

Regular yearly performers for the last decade, the BRC founder`s band entertained the attendees while Miss Teen contest winners from local county fairs donned their tiaras to greet and mingle with the kids and families. 

Under a blazing July sun, temperatures climbed to almost triple digits in the afternoon, but  Gainor & Friends finished their gig by mid day in the shade of a vintage fire truck festooned with Mizzou Tigers flags from the nearby University campus.

It was a fun time with much audience response from the festival goers. Two days later, fog and thunderstorms swept over Missouri with temperatures falling into the low 50`s. Mark Twain reportedly mused, “Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”

P.S. Check-out the BRC “Peace Dove”  banjo on eBay July 20-27 (sold). Upon receipt of the banjo, the buyer e-mailed, “Wow!!!!!…So happy!”

If youngsters do not pick-up the banner of Bluegrass, the music will die with us old timers.  The Gainor &  Friends  band recently performed again for the Safe Day for Kids festival at the Children`s Hospital, and we were blessed to have a young fiddler join us- for the third time. Her father is a banjo player and tinkerer not unlike the BRC founder.

Although a little camera shy, the young fiddler is unafraid to seamlessly leap into such Bluegrass classics like “Redwing” and the “Tennessee Waltz.”  She surprised  the  group  with a spirited up-tempo “Devil`s Dream” with which some of our veteran musicians could not keep pace.

At the end of a sunny morning, we all took great comfort in the assurance that the future of Bluegrass is safe in the hands, fingers, heart, and soul of this little miss (click to enlarge).

P.S. Special thanks always to our musicians who travel from Eldon and Macon, Missouri, to  perform in Columbia with the G&F band  at these events for the kids and families.

The BRC founder`s band performed again this year at the annual gala dinner to benefit the Children`s Hospital.  It was a festive evening with many well-wishers and photographs, but the highlight for the musicians was getting to see our two best fans ever. These two little ladies both have hair the color of sunshine and bring us smiles and laughter.
With the Children`s Hospital mascot “TJ the Tiger” nestled at her feet, one of our favorites is serenaded by the band (click to enlarge).

Our other little favorite left us joyfully speechless when she arrived with a wash-off tattoo on her forearm announcing “I`m with the Band.”                                               How do we deserve these precious admirers?

After the gig, the band  retreated to a nearby restaurant for its annual family meal together. Just between you and me, dear reader, I am the band`s third most devoted fan. These guys donate time and musicianship  every Sunday afternoon at the brewpub where all tips go to the Children`s Hospital.

How do I deserve these precious pickers?

News clipping:  http://www.columbiatribune.com/arts_life/pulse/pulse-shots-the-best-medicine/collection_96f81664-d26b-11e3-9875-0017a43b2370.html#image_1

The BRC founder`s band “Gainor & Friends” performed its annual  holiday concert this week for the in-patient children and adults at the University psychiatric center.  Festivities included a mixture of hoedown fiddle tunes and  classic Seasonal sing-a-longs. Staff and patients enjoyed the fun get together and community spirit. The concert was concluded with  a rollicking “Jingle Bell Rock” followed by a nostalgic “White Christmas.”

After the grateful patients personally  thanked us for the music and good cheer, our mandolin player remarked that this gig was his favorite performance each year.