Nebraska Country Music Festival 2008

     Nebraska Country Music Foundation 28th Annual Festival kicked off Sunday October 12, 2008 with members, family & friends getting together for a good old fashion jam session hosted at the Hastings VFW. To open the evening on stage was the "NCMF Festival Band" with Neut Larson on drums, Jon Dailey on guitar and Jim Hyatt on bass and keyboards. Dylan Hunter, a musician from Nashville who has played for many of the national acts joined the trio with some acoustic guitar and vocal parts. John Longoria and Lonnie Musil sat in on bass along with Duane Wach on drums. It was great to hear all of the singers that I had met from the years before jamming with the band. Great karaoke was provided by Darren Forbes of Krokin Karaoke. On Monday night we went back to the Hastings VFW for an enjoyable evening of good food and entertainment of artists sing to CD's provided by Darren Forbes while the band watched and joined in singing a song or two.

     Tuesday we moved out at the Adams County Fairgrounds which was our home for the rest of the week. It was an impressive sight with seating for over 600 people and a stage complete with an array of lighting and dynamic sound system provided and run by John Longoria who also has the band WESTWIND. Rehearsal's go on every day and night until Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening is performer's dress rehearsal and the first Showcase of the Festival, and a special recognition of the Veterans with a donation of $500 presented to the Grand Island Veterans Home. Katie Goesch of Grand Island did a tribute singing "God Bless the USA" to the Veterans and audience. On Friday night the performers were judged competitions for the Friday night Showcase. Jennie Barkhoff / NCMF Board of Director writes the show lineup and coordinates the competitors to keep a flow of talent going across the stage. The competition is stiff and ranges from 7-81 years young, from Chicago to Colorado, from singers to harmonica players, from duets to groups, and from Gospel to Country music. The judges have a very hard job to decide the best of the best and to bring you the best that the festival has to offer.

     The NCMF held 2 seminars this year. The Songwriter Seminar facilitated by Jim Hyatt of Denver, CO was presented Wednesday and the topic was "Recording Your Song". It was a very interesting seminar attended by several songwriters. On Thursday evening prior to the Showcase, a seminar titled "Performance Seminar on Stage" was presented by Jim Hyatt, stage manager/musician, John Longoria/sound engineer/musician and Deb Shaw, President, NCMF. This was one of the high points of the festival as people from the audience as well as performers asked questions as to what to wear, how to stand, when to walk off and how to hold the microphone properly. Deb repeated some of the rules and of the criteria that judges are instructed to judge performers on, and the weight the criteria carries on their scores. John talked about monitor systems, and Jim discussed and pointed out other stage presentation.

     This year's NCMF Board of Directors led by Deb Shaw, President did an outstanding job at putting on a great festival. The Sutton American Legion / Ron & Leota Griess served great meals and carried favorite refreshments all week long. The grand finale was on Saturday evening which started by a Prayer by Lorie Bell, Vice President NCMF, before the Prime Rib banquet served by Sutton American Legion. Posting of the Flags was done by the Hastings VFW Color Guards Neil Jurgena and Ron Hatch. It was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem.

     A special performance by Michael Martin Murphey singing several of his hits including "Wildfire" "What's Forever For" and "Caorlina in the Pines". Michael Martin Murphey got this crowds attention with his first words, and kept it till the end of his show. He accompanied himself on acoustic guitar that he finger picked better than most while telling stories, singing songs, and sharing jokes about his family values and the plights of the farmers. He reminds us that "cowboys" are not forgotten and should be kept alive for our children's children. He captured the hearts of all of us attending, and will never be forgotten. He followed up doing an autograph, photo session, and also stayed to present 2 of the most precious awards of "Youth 2008" and "Teen 2008" which he drew the names of a youth & a teen performer from his own hat and presented them each with a $500 savings bond. He said he was honored to present these awards to Dylan Larson and Katie Goesch. Ron & Leota Griess provided the donation to purchase these awards.

     Following this was the Mayors award presented by Hastings Mayor Matt Rosen and the Governors award presented by Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy. Those receiving these awards are highly respectable and helpful members of the NCMF Darren Forbes and Chris Calhoun, Master of Ceremony respectably. The Presidents award passed on by Larcy Shaw 2007 winner, and presented by Deb Shaw was awarded to Geri Hinkel. The evening continued with inductions of NCMF Hall of Fame members of Randy Ketelsen from Arvada, CO following his dad Johnny Ketelsen induction in 2007, Gary Phipps of North Platte, NE and Lonnie Musil of Grand Island, NE. Following those presentations was the awards ceremony of trophy & awards presentations to performers and sponsors. The evening capped off by a 1st place winners showcase.

     Four Coloradoans were honored this year with 15 year old Sarah Chlarson, Parker, CO winning Professional Country Female Vocalist, Professional Female Gospel vocalist, Golden Oldie Country Song of the Year, and a 2nd place amateur songwriter. Kathy Hickman, Aurora CO was the 1st place amateur Gospel songwriter. Jordan Morgan from Arvada, CO received the "Most Promising Youth" award and we look for her to be a top honor performer soon.

     Nebraska teens receiving top awards include 13 year old Alexa Whipple of Arapahoe Amateur Country Songwriter 1st place, People's Choice Award, and Songwriter of the Year award. A 13 year old Grand Island teen Katie Goesch received 1st place Open Gospel Female, and Entertainer of the Year award.

     The NCMF Festival Band staff included Jim Hyatt joined by Bruce Nunemaker and Randy Ketelsen providing 3 part background harmony vocals, Neut Larson veteran NCMF festival drummer, and a special hat's off to Jon Daily who played guitar for his first of many years with the NCMF festival band. Dylan Hunter did a great job providing acoustic guitar for the show.

     The Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame fashioned their festival this year after the Nebraska Country Music Foundation festival and it came off fine, leading the way for Nebraska to excel again in 2008. Let's keep the Country Music alive!