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Dan & Linda Winter
Jerry Allen Surprise substitute for Mike Crowe in a performance with Linda Crowe as a member of the ever-popular "Been Theres" at the June 2004 opry.Denise Ayers .......Niece of Dan Winter. Lives in Tucson, Az. Manager of a Morgage Company in Tucson. Was a guest performer at the Opry.
Charles Bain Special guest at the November 2004 opry; "Charles is a great singer. He amazes you! Charles is a graduate of South Central High in 1964." -- The Wilmore Opry News.
Marc Baker ......A teenaged Elvis impersonator from Wichita. Performed at the August 2003 Opry.
Carol Bankston .....Cousin of Linda Winter and lives in the winter in Mesa, Az. She was a guest performer at the Opry.
Velma Basnett ....Vocals. Lives in Coldwater. Is Comanche County Commissioner. Is an Opry regular. Performed at the July 2003 & March 2004 opries.
Alexa Blake 10 years old and a very polished entertainer with great stage presence; performed at the September and November 2004 opries.
Vanita Blundell ....Great emcee, lives in Wilmore and is Vernie and Virginia White's youngest daughter. Vanita is a Wilmore Opry regular.
Wanda Booth Plays piano. Performed at the July 2003 Opry with Zack Ellis.
Duane Boyenton ....Lives in Tulsa, Ok. and comes up often to perform at the Opry. Duane and Walt Lenertz sing and play guitars together. Performed at the July 2003 & March 2004 opries and The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004.
Kristina Brewer From Leon, KS; guest perfomer at the 03 April 2004 Wilmore Opry.
Myrna Bumgarner .....Lives in Coldwater. Retired and related to Pepperds and Whites. Myrna is the Opry's own Minnie Pearl. She is an Opry regular.
Donavan "Garth Brooks" Carter From Wichita, Kansas. Performed at the December 1, 2003, Wilmore Opry.
Mike Cooley ....... Lives in Wilmore. Plays guitar. Works in Greensburg at Iroquois Center. Mike is an Opry regular. Performed at the July 2003 Opry and November 2003 opries.
Joe Coyne Sang a song he wrote, 'Saturday Night Wilmore Opry', at the September 2004 opry; plays in the Wild Bunch. The Opry is real proud that Joe took the time to express in a song how he felt about the Opry. He also wrote two songs for his grand-daughter Lacy Jade's new album.
Jennifer Cronin and Lisa Hadley ......both live in Wilmore with their families and both work at Comanche County Hospital. This was Lisa's first time performing at the Opry. They sang together. Jennifer also performed with the 'Been There's' in a comedy routine.
Linda Crowe .......Lives in Coldwater. Is the VP of Peoples Bank and also Peoples Insurance. Linda plays an electronic woodwind. She is a regular Opry Performer.
Mike Crowe ......Lives in Coldwater with his wife Linda. He was the History Book Chairman for the Comanche County History book. Mike is a farmer and also works at Comanche County Hospital as a nurse. He is our sound man for the Opry. Mike and Linda also do comedy routines as 'The Been There's'. Mike is an Opry regular.
Cinda Diesnt From Pratt, Kansas. Guest performer at the April 3, 2004, Wilmore Opry.
Dodge City Wild Bunch Featured performers at the April 3, 2004, Wilmore Opry.
Zack Ellis Plays piano. Performed at the July 2003 Opry with Wanda Booth. Also does comedy with Chris Metzger.
Casey Fedders From Pond Creek, OK; appeared at the 20 Jan 2004 Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater. "...a teenage gal, really amazed us with her two spirituals. That gal really can sing!". Also appeared at the April & August 2004 opries.
Jerry Ferrin Featured entertainer at the November 6, 2004 Wilmore Opry.
Mary Fry Performed at the November 2004 opry.
Sue Gaddis A special guest for the November 2003 opry was Linda Winter's sister, Sue Gaddis, from Phoenix, Arizona. Sue and Linda sang a duet together then and also at the June 2004 opry. Also performed at the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show.
John Gamblin and his Wife From Tulsa, Oklahoma; performed at the March 2004 opry.
Camala Gates Performed at the July 2003 Opry.
Chance Gates Performed at the July 2003 Opry.
Generations ...... This country band played at the November 2003 and March 2004 opries. The members are: Dixie Mowbray on drums and guitar, from South Haven, Ks; Leslie Brazle, vocals, from Winfield, Ks; Brett Billiter on bass guitar, from Atlanta, Ks; Kevin Wills on lead guitar, from Arkansas City, Ks; Rick Schiff on Keyboards, from Winfield, Ks; Sara Trillo, 13 yr. old on vocals, from Arkansas City, Ks. and Chase Foster, 13 yr. old fiddle player (played with Charlie Daniels on stage) from Iola, Ks.
Gerstner Family From Medicine Lodge, Kansas; gave us a surprise appearance on the August 2004 show with a piano number and a song.
Mike Green From Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Played at the June 2004 Wilmore Opry. "Mike used to play with the Shiffter's Band when Martina McBride sang with her father, Daryl Schiff, in their family band. He is a good Bass player and singer. Mike, Daryl, Gene and Dale made the Opry band Rock!" -- The Wilmore Opry News.
Ron Grimes Special guest at the September 2004 opry; performed with Lacy Jade.
Lisa Hadley and Jennifer Cronin ......both live in Wilmore with their families and both work at Comanche County Hospital. This was Lisa's first time performing at the Opry. They sang together. Jennifer also performed with the 'Been There's' in a comedy routine.
Maggie Hackney ....12 yrs. old, lives in Wilmore. Is the daughter of Lane and Cindy Hackney. Goes to school at Protection middle school. Performs when she can at the Opry.
Baylie Hartman From Kansas City, Kansas; 13 years old when she first performed at the Wilmore Opry in June 2004. Also performed at the August 2004 opry and the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show.
Evan and Lori Hartnett ...... Evan was raised in Coldwater,Ks and is employed in Hesston Ks as a welder. Lori was raised in Wilmore and is the daughter of Lester Fry, Jr., and Norine Fry. Lori got her college degree from K-State and is going to graduate school for a degree in speech pathology at Wichita State University.
Hitchiker -- Gene Winter Dan's brother. An Opry regular. Plays with Daryl Schiff.
Chelsea Horner ......19 yrs old. Lives in Hugoton, Ks., is the granddaughter of Donna Ward in Coldwater and is an Opry regular. Among other dates, she performed at the opry on May 1, 2004 and in June 2004.
Lacy Jade Special guest at the September 2004 opry; performed with Ron Grimes.
Jennifer Johnson Performed at the December 1, 2003, Wilmore Opry.
Nancy Kerr Senator Fred Kerr's wife, special guest at the December 1, 2003, Wilmore Opry.
Allen Kurtz From Hutchinson, Kansas; performed at the August 2004 opry.
Katie Lenertz From Coldwater, Kansas; performed at the August 2004 opry.
Walt Lenertz ......lives in Coldwater, has his own business as a carpenter and performs often at the Opry. Performed at the July 2003 Opry and the The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004..
Cameron Levering .....15 yrs. old. Lives in Wilmore. Goes to school at South Central High in Coldwater. Her parents are Jeff and Treva Levering. This was her first time on the Opry.
Kent Little ......Lives in Coldwater. Is the minister of the Methodist Church in Coldwater and Federated Church in Wilmore. Kent performs as often as he can at the Opry.
Dennis Marsh ......lives in Sun City, Ks and plays guitar.
Don McKinney .....Lives in Wichita. Is an attorney. Grew up on a farm a few miles northwest of Wilmore. When he was a young man had a band and played around at a lot of the towns in the area. Don also won a songwriting contest at the 'Winfield Blue Grass Festival' this year. Sings, plays guitar, trumpet and harmonica. Performed at the August and September 2003 Oprys.
Chris Metzger .....16 yrs old. Comedy. Lives in Wilmore. Goes to South Central High and is Chuck and Jill Metzger's son and Helen Metzger's grandson. Performed at the July 2003 Opry. He is an Opry regular.
Wendy Monroe ......24 yrs. old. Lives in Greensburg. She has an amazing voice. Sang a Whitney Houston song at the Opry that got her two standing ovations. She is an Opry regular.
Brandi Morris Performed at the November 2004 opry.
Cindy Offield Performed with Doug Swonger as "Cash & Carrie" at The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004. Did her solo debut song at the opry on May 1, 2004.
Andrea Petrowski 16 years old; a special guest from Skyline High in Pratt, Kansas; she blew the crowd away at her May 1, 2004, appearance at the opry. Also performed at the September 2004 opry and the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show.
Reeves Brothers From Clearwater, Kansas. Jonathan, Michael and Ryan are 11, 12 and 15 years old. They played mandolin , stand up bass and banjo. They were quite the performers. Their stage presence and pickin' really grabbed the audience. Performed at the May 1, 2004, and Sept 4, 2004, opries.
Joey Riley Featured performer at the 7 May 2004 Wilmore Opry Benefit Show. About his band: "Scott Riley ( Joey's brother ) who played bass, has been blessed with a great voice also. Kaci Bays, had an outstanding voice an sings with Mickey Gilley and is one of the 'Urbanettes' at the Branson Theater with Joey and Scott Riley. Everyone loved Kaci's Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline numbers. Larry Prater was on steel guitar. He has been with Joey since Joey was 12 years old. Larry played at the Wiley Opry near Dallas that Joey and Scott Riley's parents started several years ago. Gary Cornelius, was on drums and use to play with the 'Kendells' for a number of years. He is originally from Wichita. Gary Myers, was lead guitar, the bands regular emcee. Jason Martin, was on keyboard. This band really lit up the stage. It was an evening to remember." -- The Wilmore Opry News.
Dale Robinson ......From Colorado. Played at the September 2003 Opry.
Carolyn Roth Performed with Daryl Schiff & Hitchiker at the August 2004 opry.
Justin Rug From Kiowa, Ks; played drums with Daryl Schiff & Hitchiker at the July 2004 opry.
Danny Ruth......Linda Winter's brother from Dallas, Texas. Performed at the September 2003 Opry.
Daryl Schiff ....Lives in Sharon, Ks. Daryl and his wife Jean has a business in Medicine Lodge: Schiff's Music and Cabinet Shop. Daryl and Jean are Martina McBride's parents. Daryl is a Opry regular and performs at the Opry with 'Hitchiker'. Daryl and Jean are responsible for the Opry's great sound system.
Ollie Self From Hutchinson, Kansas; performed at the 7 Aug 2004 Wilmore Opry.
Dr. Sharma .....Lives in Coldwater. She is our physician for Comanche County. To the Opry family she is Dr. 'Fun' Sharma. She performs at the Opry as often as she can. She performed with the 'Been There's" in their comedy routine.
Heather Shelley From Scott City, Kansas; 18 years old when she performed twice at the Wilmore Opry shows in October 2004; on January 29, 2005, she was declared Champion of the Colgate County Showdown and named "The Best New Act In Country Music".
Dia Sherman .....12 yrs. old. Lives with her mother Debbie Sherman in Coldwater. Goes to school at Protection Middle School. Performs with Maggie Hackney at the Opry when she can.
Nancy Smith From Wichita, Kansas, and originally from Wilmore. Daughter of Walter and Billie Smith. A gifted singer and pianist, she performed with Linda Winter and Jerry Ferrin at the November 2004 opry.
Walter Smith From Iola, Kansas; "It was such an honor to have Walt Smith and his family at the Opry. He is a former Wilmore resident. He has a great voice! Many folks remembered Walt from years past." -- The Wilmore Opry News.
Lisa Stout Performed at the July 2003 Opry.
Doug Swonger ......Lives in Kiowa, Ks. Plays guitar and sings. Featured guest at the July 2003 Opry. Performs at the Opry when he can. Performed with Cindy Offield as "Cash & Carrie" at The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004. Also performed at the March 2004 opry. Guest emcee at the May 1, 2004, Wilmore Opry.
Theis Brothers, Sam, Frank, Ken, Phil with their sister Dee From Cunningham, KS; performed at the March 2004 opry.
Micah Thom ...... 9 yrs. old, from Pratt, got the crowd standing up at the November 2003 opry. They were amazed at such a big voice in such a small package. Her stage presence was excellent in her glittering red blouse. She has a beautiful voice. Also performed at The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004, the Wilmore Opry, March 2004 and the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show.
Helena Trask From deep in the heart of Texas; performed at the 03 April 2003 Wilmore Opry. This gal got a standing ovation in both shows.
Dillion & Haley Unruh "The Wilmore Twins". The 5 year old twins live in Wilmore. Their parents are Wendell and Saundra Unruh. Performed at the November 2003, July 2003 and March 2004 opries. Performed with Daryl Schiff playing the guitar as they sang 'I'm Little but I'm Loud' at The Wilmore Opry Dinner Theater, January 2004.
Sarah Unruh From Greensburg, Kansas; 16 years old when she first sang at the Wilmore Opry in June 2004. Also appeared at the opry on Nov. 6, 2004, the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show and the November 2004 opry.
Barry Ward first appeared at the Wilmore Opry 03 July 04. Barry is in the Western Music Association. He has played in Kansas, Wyoming, Las Vegas, Nevada and at Carnegie Hall in 2003 in New York City. Barry will return this year for another concert at Carnegie Hall.
Jena Wedman From Medicine Lodge, KS; guest performer at the 03 April 2004 Wilmore Opry; also performed at the 16 Oct 2004 Wilmore Opry Twilight Theater show.
Sheryl White From Haviland, Kansas; has "handled sound" at many opries, including the Twilight Theater Show in 2004; plays solo piano introductions at the beginning of our opries, including the November 2004 opry.
Vernie White ...... "Last week brought on some sad news for a lot of us in Comanche County. Vernie moved to his heavenly home. Vernie White was a member of the Wilmore Opry. We not only enjoyed his entertainment on stage, but we all loved Vernie's laughter and jokes. what a good friend he was, and he will be greatly missed. We are sure Vernie is entertaining the angels with his heavenly friends and on that heavenly stage. We all will miss you a lot, Vernie!" -- "Wilmore News" by Dan & Linda Winter, The Protection Press, 25 September 2003.
Peyton Whitfield From Pratt, Kansas; performed at the March and August 2004 opries.
Wild Bunch...... This band was the opening act for the November 2003 opry. Ike Ritter, on bass, is from Dodge City. Fred Voelker, on fiddle, is from Fort Dodge. Fred was the oldest band member at 92 years old. What a fiddler he is! Then Jerry Miller on steel guitar, from Sublet, Kansas, and Joe Coyne on guitar, from Lakin, Kansas. They were dressed in the old cowboy style and sung old and classic country music. They did the Opry proud with the sounds they produced.
Crystal Williams From Abbyville, Kansas; performed at the 16 Oct 2004 Twilight Theater.
'Wind Chimes' From Larned, Kansas; this eight member group performed at the June 2004 opry.
Dan Winter .....Lives in Wilmore. Is retired and started the Wilmore Opry with his wife Linda. Dan directs and performs by his self, with the Unruh Twins, with his wife Linda and occasionally with Daryl and Hitchiker. Dan is a Opry regular.
Danette Winter Dan & Linda's daughter. Performed at the July 2003 Opry.
Linda Winter .....Lives in Wilmore with her husband Dan. Performs at the Opry. Sings with her husband Dan. Linda also sings as she walks and mixes with the audience. Linda is a Opry regular.
All of our performers are part of the Wilmore Opry family.
Wilmore Opry Family Concessions:
Clark, Betty and Shane Yost ......They live in Wilmore. Clark and Betty farm and ranch. Their son Shane is a student at South Central High.
Lester and Norine Fry .......They live in Wilmore. Lester Jr. works in Coldwater for the city and Norine works for the school district.
Gay Lyn and Brady Unruh ....They live in Wilmore. Brady is a student at Protection Middle school.
Harlow Peaster ......He lives in Wilmore and has his own business doing remodeling and some farming.
Sells tickets and helps with the crowds: Jill Metzger .....Lives in Wilmore. Jill is the Postmaster of the Wilmore Post office.
Lynda Cooley .... Lives in Wilmore with her husband Mike. Works at Comanche County Courthouse.
Sells T - Shirts and Hats and helps with tickets: Cindy and Tom Offield ......Lives in Coldwater with her husband Tom. Cindy owns Ragtime Embroidery. Tom owns Coldwater Laundry. Cindy makes our shirts, hats, banners and various other things that the Opry might need.
Custom made western shirts and make-up: Jane Deewall ........Jane lives in Coldwater with her husband Mike. Jane makes and ships Nash Originals western shirts all over the United States. Jane has made shirts for Miss Kansas, Miss USA Rodeo Queens, Martina McBride, Wilmore Opry and various others. She has donated her services to help the Wilmore Opry.
HTML Guy: Jerry Ferrin .....Raised near Wilmore, lives in Tucson Az. and has volunteered his services to make the Wilmore Opry web pages.
There is a multitude of folks and businesses that are involved in the Wilmore Opry. Without all these folks volunteering their time, money and help with the Wilmore Opry it would not be possible. They share in the dream of the Opry and helping others, and having fun. We appreciate them more than they will ever know!
Thanks,
Linda Winter
Dan & Linda Winter
Wilmore, KS 67155
Email: wilmoreopry@webtv.net
About this listing of Wilmore Opry Performers and Family... This list was last updated 5 Feb 2005 with performers who appeared at the Opry after this list was originally compiled by Linda Winter. Many of the performers have appeared on other dates other than given above. Because of time constraints, this current update just includes the date of a person's first appearance at the opry. For additional details, see...
Wilmore Opry News Archive - 2003 Wilmore Opry News Archive - 2004 Email from Linda Winter to Jerry Ferrin, 15 Oct 2003:
Good Morning Jerry,
Dan is down at the Ranch House so I thought I would send this info of our last show, Oct. 4th. I will give you the towns that the Performers live in and the ages of young performers in this last show. You can put in what you think is good for the page. I will comment along for your information and let you know how they are related to different folks in the county.Also I have listed the ones that are Opry regulars and the ones that are part of the Opry family. Those will be the same every month unless sickness or going on a trip prevents them from being at the Opry. I will only send you a list each month of our guests performers and where they are from. The regulars I will just list by name. Will save a lot typing since you will already have the info. Here goes...
Want to help support the efforts of The Wilmore Opry? Please make your check payable to The Wilmore Opry and send it to:
The Wilmore Opry Account
Peoples Bank
101 East Main
P.O. Box 727
Coldwater Ks, 67029Phone: (800) 889-9887 or (620) 582-2166
Fax: (620) 582-2209
Want to request tickets or to appear at the Wilmore Opry?
For Tickets, or to Entertain on the Wilmore Opry,
call Dan or Linda Winter at 316-617-7682
or e-mail: wilmoreopry@webtv.netVanita Blundell
Stage Manager and Program Director.
Phone: 620-582-2542.
Author of the "Country Gal" humor column in The Western Star.Entertainers: call Daryl Schiff at 620-886-3293, or call Dan Winter at 316-617-7682
for Special Venues and Legends Shows.
Email: legendshows@webtv.net
More News About The Wilmore Opry Wilmore Opry News - Dan & Linda Winter's Web Page Dan & Linda have created their own web page about the Wilmore Opry and update it regularly. Check it out!
Wilmore Opry Shows & Events Another webpage created by Dan & Linda Winter, also updated regularly with photos and news items.
Hard times forgotten at Wilmore's opry "Dan Winter dreamed that an open amateur variety show might lift his town's spirits. Now western Kansas is singing the Wilmore Opry's praises." The Wichita Eagle, 20 July 2003.
Kelly McGuire's article, Wilmore Opry's monthly shows pack plenty of entertainment onto small stage was published in The Hutchinson News July 4, 2003.
Dallas Wilson's website, www.wilmoreks.com, features a PowerPoint presentation of Wilmore Opry performers.
Wilmore Opera House, November 17, 1917 "An evening with the Osceola Pooler Concert Company"
Wilmore:
A fun place to spend an evening each month with old & new friends
at Wilmore's Little Opry.Photo at top of page: "THE WILMORE OPRY performers take a bow at the end of an evening." Photo by David Rose for The Wilmore Opry. Used with permission of Dan Winter.
This RootsWeb website is being created by HTML Guy Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book.
This page was last updated 25 March 2005.
The following www.digits.com "hits counter" started counting on 26 October 2003.