Concert series goes country

DOWNEY - The J.B. Walker Band will be joined by fellow country western group Chaparral when they perform a free concert this Wednesday at Furman Park.The performance is part of the city of Downey's annual Twilight Summer Concert Series. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The J.B. Walker Band is made up of Johnny Blankenship (vocalist, guitar, fiddle, 5-string banjo, mandolin and harmonica), Harvey Walker (baritone vocals, guitar and 4-string banjo), Buck Felts (bass), Bob Felts (drums) and JayDee Maness (steel guitar). The Chaparral band includes Blankenship, Walker and Don Richardson (tenor vocals, string bass, 4-string banjo and guitar). All three have been inducted into the Western Music Associations' Hall of Fame. Individually and collectively, Chaparral has performed with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Sons of the Pioneers, Riders in the Sky, Rex Allen (junior and senior), Larry Gatlin, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels and more. They have traveled around the world playing their blend of country, bluegrass and swing tunes. The band has also been featured on TV and in movies starring Bette Midler, Dennis Weaver and Clint Eastwood. Residents are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the free concert. The Downey Rose Float Association will be selling food. The summer concert series will continue through Aug. 26.

********** Published: July 10, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 12