Oldham County Day Entertainment
Local
band ‘Longshot’
to entertain the crowd
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
(July 2009) – Interacting with the crowd and
motivating others is what performing is all about to the members of
Longshot. A positive reaction from the crowd is all it takes for them
to kick into high gear with their country sound that’s appealing
to all ages.
“The bigger the crowd, the better the time we have,” said
band member Troy Woosley. And if the band has a good time, it’s
sure to reflect in the atmosphere surrounding the audience.
|
Second
Street Stage East Lawn
Stage East Courthouse
Lawn |
Longshot has officially been together now for a year as
a five-member band, but several founding members have known one another
for years. Drummer Joe Conner, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Robert
Truman, and vocalist Kristie Woosley have been singing together for
the last 10 years.
They are joined onstage by lead guitarist John Drurry and bassist Neil
Perry. Longshot performs a lot of old country tunes by Johnny Cash,
George Jones and George Straight, as well as new country, old southern
rock and duets. Woosley, who is married to lead female vocalist Kristie
Woosley, runs the sound equipment for the band. The couple are Oldham
County natives.
“We have a very versatile sound,” said Woosley. “We try
to stay as family oriented as we can.” The band will perform from
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the East Lawn Stage.
The band, which is already booked for weekends through August, plays
many private parties, weddings, holiday celebrations, clubs, festivals
and benefits in the local area including Carroll and Henry counties.
Woosley said band members watch the crowd and if they see that the audience
prefers a certain sound, they will move in that direction with their
music. “We do this for the enjoyment of it,” said Woosley.
“Everyone in the band has something special about them that they
bring to the performance,” said Woosley. A positive stage attitude
and sense of camaraderie often motivates the crowd.
Longshot is working on writing its own songs and have made a demo CD,
which was produced in a Nashville, Tenn., studio by Jeff Jackson. Jackson
has had songs recorded by Vince Gill.
This is the first time Longshot will perform at Oldham County Day. The
Project Guild of La Grange, which organizes the yearly Oldham County
Day, relies on local bands and performers like Longshot to head up their
entertainment line-up each year. This will be the 39th year for the
event, which kicks off a week before the actual day with a variety of
events leading up to Oldham County Day.
Several athletic challenges will be held throughout the week.
• On July 11-12 the Oldham County Golf Championship
will take place at Eagle Creek Golf Course.
• On Friday, July 17, the annual 1M and 5K Races coordinated by
the YMCA of Oldham County will begin at 7:15 p.m. (1M) and at 7:30 (5K)
at Covenant Methodist Church. Registration for these races is $20 by
July 13 or $25 after July 13.
• A Grand Marshal’s Luncheon will be held
at noon on July 14 at the John Black Community Center in Buckner to
honor this year’s Grand Marshal, Brad Clifford. Tickets are $12
per person.
• Oldham County Day wouldn’t be complete
without the annual “Dancing in the Street” performance the
night before the big day. The Vinyl Kings will take the stage from 5
to 7 p.m., followed by Bobby and Diane Bramlett from 8 p.m. to 11:30
p.m.
• Oldham County Day kicks off bright and early
with the La Grange Rotary Club’s “All You Can Eat Pancake
Breakfast” served from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the La Grange Community
Center. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and under.
• After filling up on pancakes, attendees can
watch the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at Fifth and Jefferson streets.
The parade will travel through downtown La Grange, led by Clifford.
Throughout the day there will be ongoing activities at the following
locations:
• La Grange Christian Church will feature a
Children’s Carnival and the Louisville Bat’s “Buddy Bat”
will be signing autographs from noon to 1 p.m.;
• DeHaven Baptist Church will sponsor an Open
House where Oldham County Day-goers can come in to rest and relax amidst
cool air and water will be provided;
• DeHaven will also sponsor Family Games on
the Courthouse Lawn from noon until 2:30 p.m.;
• A Football Auction will take place from 11:30
to 1 p.m. at the Garden Party Porch, where John Manning and Band will
perform from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The lineup for performers on the East Lawn Stage includes
Whiskey Tango, Adorations, Rhonda Rainwater and Longshot. The Second
Street Gazebo will feature Rock ‘n Country, Phos Hilaron Band,
Detour, Kentucky Gold Cloggers, The Rezzurrectors/Exit Up, and Jim Needler/Brother
Dave Sapp. The American Pride Cloggers will perform on the Courthouse
steps from noon to 12:30 p.m., and Living Statues will stage a presentation
from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Oldham County History Center grounds.
The Oldham County Community Band will perform from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30
p.m. on the Courthouse Lawn.
• For information on the County Golf Championship
contact Tim Curtis at (502) 225-0655. To purchase tickets for the Grand
Marshal’s Luncheon contact Victoria Motyka at (502) 225-1517, Ann
Brown at (502) 222-0023 or purchase at Blooms on First Street in La
Grange. For more information on the Annual 1M and 5K Races, contact
Peggy Kilgore at (502) 222-9358 or ymcalouisville.org.
All Parade participants must pre register and can do so by contacting
Doreen Goodwin at (502) 9898 or dsgoodwinlaw@insightbb.com.