J.D. Massengale Day

Taylor and Travis

Story and pix by Mary Jane Farmer

Sunday (Dec. 11, 2011) brought honor to a Texoma musician, J.D. Massengale, who has himself been busy honoring and encouraging other musicians, all the while organizing fundraisers for organizations and people in need.

J.D., who had led the Willy Kickit band for ages — anyone out there know just how long? — has gone through some medical problems and seems to be winning the battle. As it says in the Charlie McDonald song, “Whiskey & The Wheel,” J.D.’s “been through pain and out on the other side.”

One of the projects that J.D. completed this summer was a singer contest, held on Wednesday nights at The Steel Rose. Week after week, musicians competed until one emerged with a $1,000 check. But, all those who entered won, partially because they obtained some great on-stage experience, but mostly because they had become friends with J.D.

Some of those young songwriters joined in Sunday’s fundraising concert. One of them,Taylor Walker, was the organizer of the event. At the end of the day, through raffles and auctions, the fundraiser managed to put a few thousands dollars in the bank to help with J.D.’s medical expenses.

For several years, he organized musical fundraisers for the Children’s Advocacy Center and other organizations dedicated to helping the children of the county.

The line-up, and I surely hope I don’t forget someone here, was Travis Parker, Chance Cody and Jared Mitchell, Robby White & The Tejas Gringos, Willy Kickit band members of old and current, Brad Purdom, Taylor Walker, Jerry Audley, Steel & Concrete, oh my, I hope I named them all. I didn’t get pictures of them all — camera trouble — but was able to document most of the day.

The Eagles Lodge on Main Street in Denison was the perfect host venue — friendly, welcoming, even warm inside… They have live music every Saturday night, with Willy Kickit being one of the bands that performs on occasion.

Pix of the day

Category: *- Features