Pops concert will have big name stars

The Heartland Pops Chorus performs several concerts each year, but its annual Christmas show, held this year at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School, is its biggest. Jerry Ganiel, founder and director of the group for the past 10 years, is looking forward to a special afternoon Sunday.

"The 2011 Christmas show will have a little bit of everything," Ganiel said. "There's both Christmas and secular music, which is religious and nonreligious, and then country-western, bluegrass and pop."

Performers include the Immaculate Conception Choristers, the Immaculate Conception Bells of Joy Ringers, the Dexter Public Schools Eighth Grade Honors Choir, directed by Jamie Sepulvado, and Buck Trent, a seasoned entertainer and musician known as "Mr. Banjo."

Trent is credited with inventing the five-string electric banjo in 1960 but makes his living playing it on stages. He performs a mix of bluegrass, country, gospel and down-home humor every morning at the RFD Theater in Branson, Mo., where Ganiel scouts for acts.

"We go to Branson two or three times a year on vacation and to check out prospective guests for the next concert," Ganiel said. "I check the stars' schedules to make sure they're finished with their season before our show dates."

Trent was at the top of Ganiel's list this year.

"I went to his show and just asked him, and he said yes," Ganiel said. "That's how I've gotten all the stars so far -- I just asked them."

Trent began his musical career in 1959, playing guitar and banjo, as a member of the Bill Carlisle Show, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. After two years with Carlisle, Porter Wagner hired him for "The Porter Wagoner Show," where he performed from 1962 to 1974. While there he met Dolly Parton and recorded songs with her, including hits "Jolene" and "I'll Always Love You."

After leaving "The Porter Wagoner Show" in 1974, he performed with Roy Clark in Las Vegas and on "Hee-Haw," a television variety show that featured country music and humor, for about 10 years. He recorded two albums with Clark and won two Country Music Association awards for Instrumentalist of the Year.

Trent will perform about six songs during the Heartland Pops Christmas Concert, including a country-western version of "Jingle Bells," and one song with the Pops, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

As he does at all of his Branson shows, Trent will be available before and after the concert to sign autographs and visit with the audience.

"We just want everybody to come out and have a good time with us," he said. "We're going to have a good show."

The Christmas Pops Concert invited KFVS12 meteorologist Brian Alworth will emcee this year's show and tell the Christmas story.

The concert will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Central Junior High School. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $10 for students ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are free. Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved in advance by calling 979-1597 or 579-6127, or visiting Shivelbine's Music Store.