Page 3 - The Friday Flyer • February 19, 2016

FEBRUARY 19, 2016 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3
Hal Ketchum performs to sold-out audience
BY DONNA RITCHIE
COLUMNIST, THE FRIDAY FLYER
Legendary country music artist Hal Ketchum played to a packed crowd in the Holiday Bay Room at the Lodge on Saturday, February 13. The opening act for the Valentine’s concert was 19-year- old Jasmine Seek, a local singer and songwriter who began performing at the age of 14.
The Ketchum concert is the first con- cert in a series of four that are scheduled for 2016. The “Concerts at the Lodge” series is sponsored by the CLPOA and promoted by Canyon Lake resident and concert promoter Doug Schultz. Like the previous 2015 “Concerts at the Lodge” series, the Ketchum concert was a sold- out show.
Jasmine Seek kicked off the concert at 7 p.m. with “A Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. She followed her opening number with “It Ain’t Easy,” a song she wrote. Throughout her 30-minute set, Seek entertained the crowd with songs by Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Pardon and John Denver. She wrapped up her show with a rendition of John Cash’s smash hit, “Ring of Fire.”
Jasmine is familiar with the Canyon Lake crowd. She’s played in the lounge at the Lodge on several occasions and has performed at private parties for Canyon Lake residents. She says, “It’s always a good time for me when I play in Canyon Lake. I really enjoy perform- ing at the Lodge; I’m looking forward to playing there again on February 27.”
Hal Ketchum, who has released 11 studio albums since 1986 and sold over five million records, kicked off his per- formance around 8:30 p.m. Ketchum
was joined on stage with legendary acoustic guitarist Kenny Grimes. The duo entertained the crowed with Ket- chum’s signature hits: “Small Town Sat- urday Night,” “Hearts are Gonna Roll” and “Past the Point of Rescue.”
Hal had the crowd laughing with “The Continental” a humorous song based on a Saturday Night Live skit featur- ing Christopher Walken. He explained the story before the song, as he did with several of his songs. He also gave the crowd plenty of storytelling and jokes in between personal love songs like “The Saddle” and “I Shall Remain.”
Other songs on the set list included “I’m the Troubadour,” “Stay Forever,” “I know Where Love Lies” and Await- ing Redemption.” Ketchum and Grimes played for over 90 minutes, ending the set with an encore of “Veils of Tears.”
Hal says he is happy to be back to performing again. He was sidelined for a period of time in the late 1990s when he was diagnosed with a neurological dis- order called acute transverse myelitis, an aliment of the spinal column.
“It left me blind and paralyzed from the neck down. I had to relearn the ba- sic tasks, including how to play the gui- tar again,” he says. The disorder forced him to take a few years off from music but it also allowed him the time needed to complete his latest album, “I’m the Troubadour.”
After the concert, residents lined up outside the Holiday Bay Room at the meet and greet table where they were given the opportunity to talk to Hal, get his autograph and take photos with him.
CONTINUED PAGE A4
At top, Hal Ketchum was joined on stage by legendary acoustic guitarist Kenny Grimes. Above, Canyon Lake resident Doug Schultz, the concert's promoter and Hal's personal friend since the 1990s, says, "Canyon Lake gave Hal the best reception."
THE FRIDAY FLYER
Volume 35 Number 8
The Friday Flyer (USPS 006-865) is published weekly every Friday by GOLDING PUBLICATIONS, 31558 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, CA 92587 (244-1966). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the advertised products, services or opinions by GOLDING PUBLICATIONS. GOLDING PUBLICATIONS claims no liability for said advertisements.
Newspaper Office ........................................951-244-1966 FAX ..............................................................951-244-2748 E-mail (articles)............... news@goldingpublications.com E-mail (ads) ....................... ads@goldingpublications.com
Publisher.................................................... Chuck Golding Executive Editor ........................................ Carolyn Knight Editor .............................................. Sharon Rice, ext. 228 Reporter/Photographer ................. Donna Kupke, ext. 230 Teen Reporters .......... Spencer Massicot, Jasen Williams Columnists ............ Ron and Leigh Martel, Betty Williams,
Alyssa Landau, Donna Ritchie, Kerry Keith, Kelly Welty Weatherman Pat Elliano, Ken Cable Advertising Executive .....................................Marti Norris Advertising Executive ................................ Lynda Hoffman Advertising Executive ................................... Dona Jessup Production Manager ............................. Dominic Johnson
Production Assistant ................................. Al Van Beenen Office Manager/Classifieds...............................Gina Wells Mailroom........................................................ Kelli Fischer Annual weekly subscription rates are $10.90 a year for subscriptions mailed within the County of Riverside and $74.90 all others. Periodical Postage
Paid at Perris, California.
Postmaster: Send address changes to THE FRIDAY FLYER, 31558 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, CA 92587.
©2015—All contents copyrighted by Golding Publications.
PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE