COWTOWN BALLROOM...SWEET JESUS!
08.01.08 | Undaunted, barely
We have conducted over 60 interviews. The latest was George Frayne--Commander Cody--earlier this week. We have less than ten interviews to go. But we are going to start the editing process anyway. My guess is that we will have about 100 hours of footage to edit down to 90 minutes.
Thanks to everyone who came to the fundraiser, and to those people who couldn't make it but donated anyway. Also thanks to all the musicians who played, and to all the people who donated items to the auction. It was a huge success!
07.14.08 | Fundraiser this Friday
July 18th
Record Bar 1020 Westport Road (Westport and SW Trafficway)
6:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
$10 Admission
SILENT AUCTION ALL EVENING
1. Alvarez Guitar signed by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2.Photo Cover of "Weeds" signed by Brewer and Shipley
3.Book “Les Paul: In His Own Words” numbered and signed by Les Paul and Michael Cochran
4.Original Freedom Palace bumper sticker
5.Original Cowtown Ballroom bumper sticker
6.Original Freedom Palace lapel pin
6:30 – 7:00 HOWARD ICEBERG
AUCTION #1 7:00 – 7:15
1.Original Brewer And Shipley Capitol Poster 36 x 24
2.One set of six original Good Karma handbills
A.It’s A Beautiful Day and Stoneface at Cowtown
B.Procol Harum and Head Hands and Feet at the Music Hall
C.Paul Butterfield and Dr. John at Memorial Auditorium
D.Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Peter Yarrow and Lazarus at Cowtown
E.New Riders of the Purple Sage and Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina at Memorial Hall
F.Black Oak Arkansas and White Eyes at Cowtown
3.Gale Sayers autographed football
4.CD—Foghat “Rock and Roll” autographed by Roger Earl
5.Tickets for four to the Irish Festival
6.CD—“Blue Oyster Cult” autographed by Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma
7.Kinky Friedman cigar autographed by Kinky
8.Charlie Daniels first vinyl album autographed by Charlie
9.Message by Wende Williamson
10.$30 Gift Certificate Mimi’s Restaurant
PENDERGAST 7:15 – 8:00
AUCTION #2 8:00 – 8:15
1.Copy of Blue Oyster Cult/Charlie Daniels Cowtown Poster framed and autographed by Charlie, Eric and Buck
2.Gift Certificate to Vinino in the Crossroads, 1300 Grand Table of four at their August or September Wine Event
3.Original Ozark Mountain Daredevils Poster (First Album)
4.CD—“Foghat” autographed by Roger Earl
5.Framed Copy of Cowtown Foghat Poster signed by Roger Earl
6.Golf for four at Tiffany Greens
7.Doggie Day of Beauty at Brookside Barkery
8.Gift Certificate Pot Pie
9.CD—Steve Miller Band “Greatest Hits 1974-78” signed by Steve Miller
10.Original Poster Mike Quatro 36 x 24
KASEY RAUSCH 8:15 - 9:00
FILM CLIPS FROM THE MOVIE 9:00 - 9:15
CHET NICHOLS 9:15 – 10:00
AUCTION #3 10:00 – 10:15
1.Bill Self autographed basketball
2.Needmore Discs
3.Gift Certificate Chop Tops
4.Original Brewer and Shipley Poster Kama Sutra 22 x 17
5.One set of six original Good Karma handbills
A.It’s A Beautiful Day and Stoneface at Cowtown
B.Procol Harum and Head Hands and Feet at the Music Hall
C.Paul Butterfield and Dr. John at Memorial Auditorium
D.Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Peter Yarrow and Lazarus at Cowtown
E.New Riders of the Purple Sage and Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina at Memorial Hall
F.Black Oak Arkansas and White Eyes at Cowtown
6.Cigar Box signed by Kinky Friedman
7.Gift Certificate Meal for two at Succotash in the City Market
8.Ticket for two at Majestic Improv comedy club in Zona Rosa
9.CD—Blue Oyster Cult “Tyranny and Mutation” signed by Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma
10.Original Cowtown Poster Foghat 12/5/73 22 x 17
MAD LIBBY 10:15 – 11:00
AUCTION #4 11:00 – 11:15
1.CD—Foghat “Fool For The City” signed by Roger Earl
2.Original Poster Brewer and Shipley concert promo poster 22 x 17
3.Original Poster Ozark Mountain Daredevils Car Over The Lake
4.Messenger Bag from Scooter World
5.$25 Gift Certificate from Granite City restaurant in Zona Rosa
6.Danny Manning autographed basketball
7.CD—“Kinky Friedman” signed by Kinky
8.Think KC gift bag
9.CD—Blue Oyster Cult “On Your Feet Or On Your Knees” live signed by Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma
10.Original Cowtown Poster Mike Quatro Jam Band 10/31/73 22 x 17
COWTOWN ALLSTARS FEATURING CAMP HARLOW 11:15 – 1:00
07.03.08 | Around the final turn and...
on the home stretch. Tony is transferring all the interview footage to his computer for editing. In the meantime, we are wrapping up the interviews. In the past month we have interviewed Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook, Roger Earl of Foghat, Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult, Mike Finnigan, Charlie Daniels, Kinky Friedman and Steve Miller. Not bad, huh?
Everyone of them has signed some memorabelia for the July 18 fundraiser at the Record Bar. See all of you there.
05.22.08 | July 18 Mark this date in your calendar, PLEASE!
We are having a fundraiser/reunion party at the Record Bar (Westport Road and SW Trafficway) on JULY 18. Music, fun, drink specials, an auction with some great stuff. Please plan to attend.
As most of you know, I am financing this movie out of my own pocketbook. I have enough $$$ to get it made, but not enough to pay for music rights. Every penny we make on 7/18 will be put into music for the film, I promise. Many bands/musicians who played at Cowtown are going to perform. More info to come.
The film is progressing nicely. I've got some pleasant surprises for all of you. We have interviewed another 10 - 12 people since I last updated. Trying to schedule another 6 - 8 next week (we're going to interview the mirror ball next Friday!), and about that many the following week. After that, we are going to start editing. Thanks to everyone for their help.
One unfortunate note. Richard Stern died recently. I'm sure his family and friends are in all of our hearts. joe
04.13.08 | Reunion
Last week was spectacular. On Friday we had John, Jeff and Jimmie--Nitty Gritty Dirt Band--come over to the old ballroom, walk around, and reminisce. Thanks guys.
Then on Sunday, we had the reunion party. Thank you everyone for coming. I don't remember when I have had a better time. You can see a few pictures, courtesy of Margaret Ragan and Kati McGilivary, in the gallery section. I felt like I was with my best friends.
Next big event is a fundraiser at the Record Bar on July 18th. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
03.31.08 | Party--Change of Plans!!
We are still going to have a reunion/party next Sunday, April 6, but due to circumstances beyond my control, it will not be at the old Ballroom. Instead it will be at the Tower Tavern at 31st and Oak (one block west of the old Ballroom). Anyone who went to a concert at Cowtown is invited. We will be filming for the documentary, so bring souvenirs, posters, music, pictures and stories. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please RSVP. thanks joe
03.13.08 | EMAILS!!!!!!
I have received over 400 emails as a result of the KC Star article on Sunday. I tried to respond to each one individually. If I did not, please email the web site. Didn't mean to slight anyone, but I was just overwhelmed. Take a look at the "guestbook" to see some of the response.
03.10.08 | Kansas City Star article on Cowtown Ballroom
In the March 9th Star magazine the ballroom and our film were featured in an article by reporter Eric Adler. The response has been overwhelming.
02.16.08 | New England
Just got back from the frozen lands of the Northeast. First of all, thanks to my crew--Tony and Lisa.
We interviewed Steve Baker at WGBH in Boston, then met with Eric Menn in Medford, Ma. After that we drove up to Barre, Vt. to interview Michael Waggoner. It was beautiful and -7 degrees! Then it was a jaunt down to Northampton, Ma. to interview June Millington. We had to cancel our scheduled interview with Steve Moulton in NY, due to a blizzard that stranded us at June's. Thanks to everyone. It was a good trip.
01.23.08 | WHEW!
We are constantly making progress. After this week we will have interviewed the following:
John McEuen
Abe Haddad
Tyler Miller
Chuck Haddix
Royal Scanlon
Janet Jameson
Corky Carrel
Bill Shapiro
Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley
Mildred Foster and Bill Hauser
White Eyes--Jimmy Harlow, Butch Dillon and Greg Camp
Ozark Mt. Daredevils--Steve Cash, John Dillon, Larry Lee, Randall
Chowning, Supe Granda
Randy Kratschmer
Paul Peterson
Danny Cox
Gary Peterson
Sherrie Davis
Penny Valladeres
Ron Roberts
John C. Dods
Randy Goodman
Larry Sells
Herb Palmer
Rocky Rude
Jim Wheeler
B. B. King
Dan Moriarty
We are getting great stuff--many thanks to all. After this we will be making a New England trip, followed by a jaunt to Nashville. Finally we come back home to KC for the last 20-25 interviews. Hope to have the film done by late 2008. Again, thanks to all who have helped.
01.13.08 | A Way To Help
There will be a benefit concert for Danny Cox and his family Sunday, Jan. 20, at the All Souls Unitarian Church at 4501 Walnut at 7:00 p.m. Performing will be Brewer and Shipley, The Elders, Rock Paper Scissors, and Walkenhorst and Porter. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26511
01.12.08 | Help PLEASE
As you may know the Danny Cox family home in KCK burned down Sunday morning. The house and most everything in it was lost. Insurance coverage was minimal at best. The Red Cross has put the family up in a hotel until other housing can be set up, so household goods are down the road a bit.
The Artistic Director at Theater for Young America, Gene Mackey, is helping to coordinate support for the family.
Danny & Mona’s expressed primary concern at this time is for clothing for their three teen boys:
Shirts & sweaters sizes 1x & 2x, large or medium
Pant sizes 38 x 32, 38 x 30, & 30 x 30
Shoe sizes 13, 11, & 9.5
Items could be dropped off with previous notification at Union Station City Stage
Contact Gene Mackey 913-638-6989 or email TYAStage@SBCGlobal.net
to schedule drop offs, or
Monetary donations may be sent to (checks payable to Danny)
Danny Cox
c/o Theater for Young America
PO Box 356
Mission KS 66201
A benefit concert is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 20, and I will post info for that next week.
01.07.08 | Bad news
Danny Cox's home was destroyed by fire Sunday. Some family pets perished, but fortunately no people were hurt. I will let you know about any fundraisers.
12.30.07 | Web site addition
I have added a new Guestbook section to the web site. Many people have asked me if there is a way they could communicate with friends they met at Cowtown years ago. If you want to have your name posted here, just email the site through the "Contact Us" section. If you want to contact friends you see in the Guestbook, email the site and I will forward your message on.
Over the last couple of weeks we have interviewed Gary Peterson, Randy Kratschmer, Penny Valladeres and Sherrie Davis. Many thanks to the four of you for sharing your Cowtown experiences with us.
Over the next month or so, we intend to interview the bulk of people from Kansas City, then make some out-of-town visits. Hope we can finish the interview process by early May and start editing this project.
12.15.07 | HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The El Torreon Ballroom opened 80 years ago today. If walls could talk....
12.14.07 | Happy Holidays Everyone.
The "who played there?" section has been updated. We are getting closer to having the full schedule of events at Cowtown. Thanks to everyone who helped. This week it was Frank Pinzino of St. Joseph who came through big time. So many of you have been so kind to email me with info and suggestions. I will thank all of you in the credits of the film (which will be very lengthy!)
Next week I will be back on the radio. Mark Lytle of KKFI 90.1 has graciously invited me on his show Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Be sure to listen.
Very soon I hope to have exciting news about the future of the El Torreon/Cowtown Ballroom building. Keep checking in. Thanks joe
11.01.07 | Five new interviews this week
Brewer and Shipley in Arnold, Mo.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils in Springfield, Mo. (this may be the first interview ever with all members of the band)
White Eyes (Butch, Jimmy and Greg)
Danny Cox
Paul Peterson
My deepest apreciation to all who made it happen.
10.12.07 | Slowly Making Progress
There were many people who were instrumental in the success of Cowtown Ballroom, and that certainly includes the audience. We plan to interview as many of them as possible. So far:
John McEuen
Tyler Miller
Abe Haddad
Chuck Haddix
Royal Scanlon
Janet Jameson
Corky Carrel
Bill Shipiro
Thanks so much to all of you.
Next up:
Brewer and Shipley
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Paul Peterson
The list is very long. Keep checking in to see our progress.
Special thanks to Bill O'Connor at KKFI for putting me on the radio this week. I am meeting so many people who want to help out on this project. What a great job to have! Also thanks to Rat for providing me with posters and other memorabilia, Corky for working so hard to put together the schedule of bands, Paul for pointing me in the right directions, and of course Stan.
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