The Muddy Water Singers

Many of you may or may not know this, but I belong to "The Muddy Water Singers" musical group. We are a small group of people who came together with a common interest...singing. I live in a small town and my new neighbors a couple of years ago got to talking. One thing led to another and we found out that they enjoyed Karaoke, just as Jake, Jakab and myself do. So, once a week, we started meeting at the neighbors to sing and socialize. We always got caught up in the latest gossip and would sing any and all types of songs.

Early in our marriage and when Jakab was very little, I tried to pursue a career in the music industry. And if you are a musician, you know just how very hard that is. Jake supported me at every twist and turn we needed to make. Always going from one Karaoke Club to the next audition for Sony, RCA or any other record label that would be having a showing...looking for that next new star. Well, the response was always very positive and encouraging, but there was always a 'catch'....they wanted money! Well, I decided to call upon one of my "Idols" for advice....Wynonna Judd. I wrote her a letter describing all of the events and responses from these Record Label Companys and their desire to make me a "Star", but for a price. Within about 3 weeks time, I received a personal response from Wynonna and inside that letter was some very good advice. She told me that if they were a true record label...or people truly associated with the music industry, then THEY would pay for everything up front....and whatever I made in CD sales and touring and all of that...then they would get paid. That I was to NOT give anyone any money!! So, then I set aside my thoughts and aspiration of making a living by singing...and focused on my main career....being a MOM. :) I made the right decision.

Anyhow...back to The Muddy Water Singers. Our weekly karaoke sessions turned into maybe playing for our small town. Would people come and want to hear us?? Could we really do it?? Would we be nervous?? Alot of questions arose, but we thought we would give it a try.

Some of our members have performed in many places before: Church, Weddings, Outings, Nursing Homes...so the atmosphere was familiar. However, we had a couple of people who had NEVER sung in front of anyone...ever...but they wanted to try. :) So, our first unveiling, so to speak was at our little town's "Christmas On Main Street". They have had this annual A-do for about 5 years now and it seems to do pretty well. Food Venders and Craft Venders come out and then there is a parade and the Church Youth Group selling chili macs. We thought that we would try and see what kind of response we would get.

Well, we seemed to be a hit!! :) So, then we decided that we would put on a show once a month at the Masonic Lodge Building here in town. Our show consists of all of us doing 5-6 songs a piece and then some group songs. We also have 'Minnie Pearl' visit once a show and we have had Guest Performers come perform too. We charge $3.00 at the door and that gets you 2 hours of music and entertainment. Obviously, we aren't doing it for the money, because we have to pay the Lodge for the use of the building...so we are doing what we love to do, to entertain people and if we have a good night...maybe we put a few bucks in our pocket!! :)

The Muddy Water Singers consists of: John Morrison, our bass vocal, Merle Bolt, our tenor/harmony vocal, Shelli Davis, our soprano/harmony vocal and me, our soprano/harmony vocal. Jake is our SoundMan...and sometimes does a Guest Spot for us. Karen Bolt is our famous 'Minnie Pearl' and we will introduce a new performer this saturday to our group, Sandra Manley, our soprano vocal. Our main genre of music is Country Old and New, Gospel and some early rock.

So, if you have a free saturday and are up for some music and entertainment....we would love to have you come see us!!