Kentucky Road Quartet to perform Monday on the Square
* Show marks last Monday Music Night event to be held this season.
By Rusty Murry
Nevada Daily Mail
On Monday, the Kentucky Road Quartet will be the featured act for the season's last performance of Monday Music Nights on the Square. This group of four male vocalists will sing a mix of gospel songs.
Wayne Leavell, who's played music in the area for more than 30 years, was a member of the Leavell Brothers Band; and after the band quit playing his heart was really into gospel music. He wanted the southern gospel feel, so when a friend suggested putting another musical group together, they formed the quartet in 2009. "And it turned out so great," Leavell said, "I know God had a hand in this. What a great bunch of guys."
C.K. Warden is another of the performers and Leavell calls him a "great friend." He has the Konantz/Warden Funeral Home in Lamar, and has been here for the last 10 years. The baritone has sung with many groups over past years.
Leavell says Rayburn Mein is "such an asset to our group. Besides singing bass he is also the comedian of the bunch and does such a great job doing recitations." Mein has more than 40 years of experience in music.
Chris Hymer finishes out the quartet and is the group's tenor. Hymer does most of the lead singing. He was touring professionally with a quartet; but that meant he was on the road often; the Kentucky Road Quartet is a chance for him to sing and stay close to home. Leavell said all of the men "love the Lord" and are very passionate about their music.
Leavell said the group tried hard to come up with a name for their quartet, and it finally came to them by serendipity. Warden's father had started many churches in and around Mexico, Mo., and Centralia, Mo. While in that area, they noticed that one of the churches was named the Kentucky Road First Christian Church. They thought it was a great way to honor Warden's father and they adopted the name for the quartet.
The group doesn't sing professionally -- Leavell called it "a hobby." He said they are looking forward to coming to Nevada. Having played at venues throughout this area for many years, Leavell said it would be "kind of fun to go back there and do a new kind of music." He looked at the opportunity as "coming full circle -- back home."
Leavell said he's "blessed to have these guys playing" with him and he hopes the people who attend Monday's show will enjoy what they hear. The group will begin their performance at 6 p.m. and plans to sing for the full two hours; but if the heat gets too intense, they will take a short break and then resume.
This Monday's event also will feature some shopping opportunities -- Ensor has gotten the church community involved and says the evening will be a something of a church community bazaar. Church groups, civic groups or anyone else is welcome to bring baked goods or crafts to the event which will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8:30 p.m. Some of the businesses on the Square have kept their doors open late each night of this community event.
Woods Supermarket is sponsoring the concession stand for the concerts and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3370 Ladies Auxiliary will work the concession stand for this event, splitting receipts with the chamber.
Monday Music Nights on the Square is sponsored by the Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce, and according to chamber director Gina Ensor, the events have been popular with the community and musicians alike. Ensor said, "it's been pretty successful" -- so much so that community members have been calling and "asking to keep it going," she said. Performers have also been calling and offering to play or sing.
Ensor said the event has been so popular that plans are in the works to resume Monday Music Nights in the fall, when the weather cools off; but the fall version of the event may be held at Radio Springs Park.
For more information contact the Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce at (417) 667-5300.