TAKING CENTER STAGE: MUSICAL TALENT SHOWCASED

Two leading members of the Missouri Republican Party were in tune in Cape Girardeau Saturday.

U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft sang two patriotic songs at the "Made in the USA" music festival at the A.C. Brase Arena Building, including one he wrote. A few hours later at the Osage Community Centre, Republicans attending U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's political picnic were treated to the ragtime piano playing of John Hancock, the executive director of the Missouri Republican Party.

Ashcroft performed before a crowd of over 100 people at the music festival Saturday afternoon.

"I feel kind of like a nickel that got thrown in the quarter drawer," he said after following toe-tapping, teen-age fiddler player Liesl Schoenberger to the stage. The weekend music festival was a fund raiser for Southeast Hospice.

To a taped accompaniment, Ashcroft sang "Let The Eagle Soar." The senator wrote the words and music about three years ago after seeing an eagle flying over his Springfield, Mo., area farm.

For years, there were no eagle sightings at his farm. Ashcroft said he was thrilled to see the eagle. "The eagles have come back," he told the crowd.

"Let the eagle soar like she has never soared before," Ashcroft sang in a booming baritone voice.

"This country is far too young to die. We can make it if we try," he sang.

The crowd applauded Ashcroft's performance.

Ashcroft is well known on Capitol Hill as one of the Singing Senators, a quartet that includes U.S. Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi.

"We are sort of Oak Ridge want-to-be Boys," he said after leaving the stage.

Prior to his exit, Ashcroft sang "God Bless America" to the accompaniment of Schoenberger and her fiddle. At the senator's urging, the crowd stood and sang along.

Ashcroft later attended the Emerson picnic where the musical entertainment was provided by Hancock. Over 600 people attended the picnic, including Ashcroft, U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, the statewide ticket of Republican candidates and a number of local candidates.

Saturday night, there were no sour notes as Hancock performed some of his favorite Joplin tunes.

"It is a great escape," he said.

Hancock plays the piano with the same enthusiasm he brings to party politics.

"I play a lot," said Hancock, who seldom passes up a chance to tickle the ivories.

Hancock worked his way through college by playing the piano. He also plays the drums.

He loves ragtime melodies, including Scott Joplin tunes. "That's all I play," said the St. Louis Republican.

A number of Emerson supporters greeted Hancock as they walked past the piano.

State Rep. Patrick Naeger of Perryville greeted Hancock warmly. "It is going to be a good year," Hancock replied, looking ahead to the fall election.