Saturday country music show will benefit flood victims

A benefit for flood victims at Cedar Rapids with old-time country music will fill the Plymouth County Historical Museum this Saturday, Aug. 23, and give a preview of music to be enjoyed at the 33rd Annual National Old-Time Country & Bluegrass Festival set for Aug. 25-31 in Le Mars.

Saturday's benefit show begins at 6 p.m. and is being coordinated by Mike and Tom Mullally of Le Mars, in cooperation with Bob and Sheila Everhart and musicians who will be attending the week-long festival.

There is no admission charge for the benefit concert, but freewill donations will be taken. All proceeds from the event will go to the Cedar Rapids area Red Cross to help in the flood relief effort.

"We have the AKA Clowns from Sioux City coming to help us collect donations throughout the evening," said Mike Mullally. "They will be fun."

Serving as emcee will be Dusty Spittle, perhaps New Zealand's foremost and most successful country music songwriter, recording artist, and performer. Spittle, who will be performing during the weeklong festival, changed airplane tickets to be able to participate in the flood benefit.

Spittle will be joined a host of country music performers who are willing to help out the cause.

Tom Mullally will be providing the sound system through Music Illusions, with the Plymouth County Historical Museum donating the use of the "Old Central" gym for the show. There will be food available.

A slide show of the flood devastation in the Cedar Rapids area will be shown throughout the evening.

Featured entertainers include: Tom Mullally of Le Mars; Rick and Harriette Anderson from Iowa; Dusty Spittle of New Zealand; Danny and Donna Dee of Mt. Pleasant; Elaine Peacock of Elk Point, S.D.; Bobby Awe of Fort Dodge; Andy Stanley of Barryton, Mich., (writer of the hit song "Snowgoose"); Greta Elkin of Ireland; Doc Sharp of Livingston, Texas; Ann Belcham from Whangamata, New Zealand, who is known as the Galloping Grandma who sings American country music; Dale Eichor of Fort Dodge; Jackie Shewey of Nebraska and One On the Mountain from West Virginia.

"We're just tickled to have this come to Le Mars, and for the artists to make this extra effort for the fundraiser," said Mike Mullally. "They're all great musicians."

For Mike, having the National Old Time Country & Blue Grass Festival come to Le Mars is a result of years of work to get everything put in place. He's attended previous festivals which were held most recently in Missouri Valley, as well as Avoca and Council Bluffs.

"I've gotten to know some of the artists and they're just great," Mike said. "They're a wonderful group of people brought together for their love of clean, country music. You feel that love radiate out in their performances. They love to play for you," he continued.

"The Saturday evening fundraiser will be a great time to get a sample of the music that will be featured at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds throughout the week," Mike added.