IW is a native Texan and long time resident of Palacios. He is known not only for his singing and playing abilities, but especially for his vast collection of hand decorated shirts. He has been with the RGVMF from the beginning and serves as the Festival Vice President. He is ably assisted by his wife Learline and also Pat Smith.
Fred(Poppy)Rasmussen City of Mercedes Stage Two
F. J. 'Poppy' Rasmussen,Morning Stage manager for Stage two for the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, comes to Texas as a musician and recording artist. Originally from Wisconsin. He had an early morning radio show on WDUX for over seven years. He and his friend played country music and became well known to the people of the area. After retiring as police chief in 1988 he bought a mobile in Weslaco and became a Texas Resident. He played at several jams but vacationed in Wisconsin each summer. He recorded cds and sold them at music festivals in Iowa and Nebraska, as well as Texas and Wisconsin. He was elected to the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He invites as many as possible to attend the festival and play on the stage.
SPARE PARTS BAND:Spare Parts is a group of entertainers specifically brought together for this year’s RGV Music Festival.Appearing in the afternoons on Stage 2, the group will entertain as well as be the backup band for other entertainers.Members of the band come from different parts of the U.S. and all winter in the valley. Members will include “Big John” and Connie Pedersen, from the original Spare Parts Band of Iowa playing rhythm guitar and adding great vocals with harmony; Bill Kreitz, bass guitar down fresh from Luckenbach, Texas and the Hill Country; Suzy Kreitz , the little gal with the “Big” voice, bringing you a little “Patsy Cline” music as well as playing rhythm guitar; steel guitarist and vocalist, Eldon Hardekopf of South Texas Whiskey and Jim Dixon’s Band.Also playing steel, lead guitar and vocalist, Dan Steele; Paul Anderson, with a great honkytonk keyboard and a member of County Line Band; Jay Kelly, on the fiddle; Danny Williams, of Top Notch and County Line Bands, on lead guitar and vocals; Harold (Buck) Wacker on drums; and a newcomer to the valley, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dennis Perry, also from County Line Band, bringing a new swing sound to the valley. Not all members will be on the stage at all times and some will be there only one or two afternoons.Check us out on stage 2.You’ll really enjoy the sounds of our Spare Parts Band.
Edward Jones H.E.B. Stage Three
Edward R. Jones, Retired accountant from Iowa now a converted Texan. Hosted the jam at 1015 R.V. Park, Weslaco for five years.Has performed in shows in the valley and sings and plays at 5 to 6 jams a week. Will be looking forward to having a variety of performers and jammers on his stage at the 2012 Festival. He will be assisted by John Varone, Jim and Marlys Weaver.
The backup band that will be on Stage Three are composed of Lead guitars: Dale Wayman, John Neighbors, Jim Dixon, Lewie Jett, George Epley and Chuck Peterson. Bass guitars: Don taft, Neil Berg, Pop Brown, Barb Tryka, Bill Synder. Rhythm guitars: Bob Nations, A.J. McComas, Troy Adams,Mick Morrow, Noah Stone, Louie Long, Carl Gilihan, Dale Martin, Jerry Thomae. Steel guitar: Eldon Hardekopf. Fiddle: Jay Kelly. Each day the different bands will be featured for one half hour. Not all band members will be on stage at all times or every day.
Ken Hill, Magic Valley Stage Four
Ken Hill is from Saskatchewan, Canada and spends his winter time at Ranchero Village. He has been playing rhythm guitar since he was 12 years old, and he also does vocals. He is a classic country fan and this is his first year with the RGVMF. He will be the stage manager of stage four and will be assisted by Eric Widdup. Stop by stage four and see the performers he will have on his stage.
We have two stage bands assembled specifically for Music Fest 2012. Band members include well known, experienced musicians such as: Lewis Jett (lead guitar & vocals), Louie Long (Rhythm guitar & vocals), Barbara Tryka (bass & vocals), Gary Kunkel (lead guitar & vocals), Dan Steele (steel guitar & vocals), Ron Ford (bass & vocals), Jay Kelly (lead guitar & fiddle), Ken Hill (rhythm guitar & vocals). Our stage bands will play with any performer requesting backup and will be featured twice daily for one half hour.
The Stage Management Team consists of volunteers who are mostly new to the Music Fest. Their enthusiasm and determination to succeed will ensure a smooth stage four operation and an enjoyable experience for both performers and audience.
VOLUNTEERS: Eric & Pat Widdup, Judy Moore, Terry & Ray Toews, Linda Kunkel, Bill Speers and Tricia Hill.
My sincere thanks to all volunteers. Ken Hill, Stage four Mgr.
Vi and Larry Ketterling WAL-MART Bluegrass Stage Five
Vi and Larry Ketterling: Violet and Larry Ketterling, are well-known native Texans: singer/guitarists & mandolin. They will be the stage managers for the Bluegrass Tent. If you play bluegrass,sing bluegrass or just plain like to listen to bluegrass, this is the tent for you.
Dick Wynne RANCH HOUSE BURGERS amplified Jamming Tent
Jamming tent managed by Nebraskans Dick and Wilma Wynne. They will provide an opportunity for groups that like to jam with amplified music
One On The Mountain PALM HARBOR acoustic Bluegrass Jamming Tent
One On The Mountain, Jim Hughes and Shirley McCord will manage the acoustic bluegrass tent for those who want to jam in a circle Bluegrass style. No mics, no amps, no retail sales. Just good acoustic bluegrass music.
