Larry A. Smail's Blog

l-r: Al Mechling; JoAnne Cash and Brad Anthony

The rains began pummeling on the morning of Saturday, September the 8th.  More rain fell over the morning to early after noon on this day than we had received during the last two months! The people of the radio station WTYM in Kittanning had been planning a country music event for quite some time and the weather was surely hampering the day. This would cause an hour and half delay in all things!

However, eventually the skies began to open and the weather changed. A wind condition began and some coolness was the norm, but the rain had ceased. Good news for the musicians, the sound people and of course the event organizers.

l-r: Brad Anthony; Al Mechling; Harry Yates; JoAnne Cash Yates; Larry Smail; Walt Marr; Dick vernon; danna vernon

Finally, the band I currently play lead guitar with entered the stage. the band, GOOD NEWS COUNTRY began their part of the show. A number of bands and solo performers entertained  the patrons that eventually braved the weather to listen! We were having issues with the monitor system causing difficulty with me hearing myself and the steel guitar was dominate. As time went on the sound people improved this problem some.

This band stayed on the stage once their time was completed and JoAnne Cash entered the stage. JoAnne is Johnny Cash’s younger sister. JoAnne is in her mid-eighties now. This and the weather would be a problem for the singer. JoAnne was having great difficulties with her voice. The damp air, no doubt, had caused some problems and she couldn’t complete many songs. She couldn’t apologize enough, but the crowd was very forgiving and loving towards her issues.

The band GOOD NEWS COUNTRY  features the following members: Danna Vernon with vocals;  Al Mechling on rhythm guitar and vocals; Brad Anthony on bass guitar and vocals; Dick Vernon on steel guitar; Walt Marr on drums and myself, Larry Smail on lead guitar. An event is being planned for next year. (Photos by Marla Mechling)

Good News Country on stage