JACKSON MUNY BAND PERFORMS THURSDAY

JACKSON -- The Jackson Muncipal Band will open its 74th season Thursday at 8 p.m. in the city park.

The Jackson band traces its beginnings to 1920, under the leadership of A.W. Roloff. Since that time, there have been a total of eight conductors: Roloff, Leroy Mason, Ed Carson, Richard Partridge, Linton Luetje, Alan Roland, Jim Rhodes and Nick Leist.

Leist will mark his 27th season with the band this year.

Special guests for this opening performance include Mr. and Mrs. Bob King. Bob King is known as one of Southeast Missouri's premier old-style country fiddlers.

He and his wife, Geneva, have been performing together for more than 50 years. For many years, they traveled across the Midwest, performing with a country band that bore their name.

Today, although retired, they stay busy playing for picnics, dances and various senior citizen events. They will be performing several good ol' hoe-down, toe-tapping fiddle tunes.

The band's portion of the concert will include: "On An American Spirtual," two collections of country songs entitled "Country Gentlemen" and "A Touch of Country," and several marches including "Emblem of Unity" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The band has scheduled a number of talented performers as special guests in the months ahead. These include: Sweet Adelines, Jonathon Stewart, Mike Dumey, Julie Walker, Steve Schaffner, Robyn Hosp, "Forever Friends," and others.

Area residents are invited to bring their lawn chairs for this evening of special entertainment. Entrance to the band shell is off Route D, across from McComb's Funeral Home.

There is no admission charge.