Bits & pieces of my musical thoughts

I have so many things swirling in my head as I sit down to write today’s column. Many times I have a main theme, but today, you will get bits and pieces.

First of all, it’s a cool thing when you go to the movie theater to see a newly released film and see not one, but two performers we’ve gotten to know through their performances at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center right here in Van Wert.

My wife and I saw God’s Not Dead 2 this past Sunday at the Van Wert Cinemas. Not only is it a good film I would highly recommend, it also starred some people I (and some of you) saw on stage (and back stage) of the Niswonger. The stars are really Melissa Joan Hart and Jesse Metcalfe; but also in large supporting roles were Pat Boone and the Newboys. Cool stuff!

Pat Boone performed on our stage last year as a last minute replacement show. At that time, he mentioned to me that he was working in a sequel movie to God’s Not Dead. The very popular Contemporary Christian Rock Band, Newsboys, also performed on our stage two years ago and they also mentioned there was going to be a God’s not Dead 2 that they would be part of once again.

So, I would recommend the movie, as well as attending concerts at the Niswonger. You just never know when you might see them on the silver screen or on TV. As we are working on next season for the Niswonger, I know you will have many chances to see people you have seen, and most likely will see, on TV and/or the movies.

This Sunday, you have the opportunity to see the American Boychoir in concert at 3 p.m. at the Niswonger.  In about another week, you can see them in a movie made for TV and airing on CBS starring Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates.  It’s the story of how the boychoir master (director), played by Dustin Hoffman, turns a boy’s life around through music. I invite you to the PAC this Sunday and see the real stars live on our Central Insurance stage.

For those of you who are old enough to remember “The King of the Cowboys”, Roy Rogers, you won’t want to miss Riders in the Sky as they trot into town on Friday, April 15. They’ll invite you to sing and sit around the campfire with them talking about Roy, Dale, Trigger, and all their friends.

I am just old enough to remember (probably) old reruns of the Roy Rogers’ movies on TV Saturday mornings. Those were good times and good days, weren’t they? You can relive those days at the Niswonger come a week from Friday. Get ready to view clips from some of those old Westerns many used to love. And no one sings it better these days than Riders in the Sky!

The show is nearly sold out, pardners, but if you saddle up and ride over the PAC, you just might be able to work your way in, if some holds get released. Come on in and join us for some rip- roarin’ fun!

It’s getting time to fire up the lawn choirs and blankets and head to Fountain Park for some good, fun times at the outdoor concerts. Warm weather is on its way, believe it or not, and we will be ready with eight great concerts and even an outdoor movie after the July 1 concert. All are compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Saltzgaber and The Van Wert County Foundation. This is what an investment with The Van Wert County Foundation can do. Stop by and see us sometime. Seth Baker, our executive secretary, would love to talk to you about how you could help someone out years later, just like the Saltzgabers!

FINÉ.