Whitesboro News-Record
20 years ago…
July 13, 2006
Melody Ranch Band to perform at Chrystal Opry House
The Melody Ranch Band will perform classic country and gospel music at the Chrystal Opry House Saturday night, July 15. Members of this band are George Kirby, fiddle: Gus Vermilion, drums: Mike Gattis, vocals; and Bill Hayes, vocals and guitar.
A special guest this month will be Karie Jensen from Keller, Texas. She has been singing at numerous venues in North Texas and sings classic as well as modern country songs.
Larry and Peggy Gooch, from Nevada, Texas, will also entertain with their unique talents on the guitar and hammer dulcimer.
The Chrystal Opry House is located one and a half miles west of Tom Bean or 6 miles east of Howe and a half-mile south of FM 902 on White Mound Road.
Whitewright Sun
30 years ago…
July 11, 1996
Franklin backs Beach Boys on fiddle
Larry Franklin, Nashville Fiddler and former Whitewright resident, is one of the back-up musicians on the Beach Boys’ latest album, “Stars and Stripes,” featuring 12 different country acts. All of the songs belong to the Beach Boys, who provide the harmonies as they let the country artists showcase their talents.
Franklin’s fiddle is heard in three of the acts - Willie Nelson with “The Warmth of the Sun,” Collin Raye’s “Sloop John B;” and Doug Supermaw’s “Long Tall Texas.”
Franklin, son of Louis and Louise Franklin of Whitewright, grew up listening to the Beach Boys music. To be on one of their albums is a highlight to his music career. Larry’s fiddle and mandolin are heard on many new albums including those of Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis, Hank Williams, Jr., Linda Davis and Reba McEntyre, Tanya Tucker, Michelle Wright, Jeff Carson and Rick Trevino.