CFTC-McPherson

      The rain held off for the third week in a row and CFTC-McPherson edition went off without a hitch.  Tonight's donations were going to help The McPherson Opera House.  This week was a special night with some unusual talent on the stage.

     First up was Jonathan Fleig.  He performed an acoustic set of songs off his new CD Road to Nowhere.  The story behind this CD is an interesting one.  Jonathan performed and recorded all of the songs for the CD, outside in a natural setting all over Kansas.  He had all types of weather, insects, animals, you name it to contend with as he worked on these songs.  All that comes through on the CD and adds so very much to the overall project.  While he was performing and recording, a camera crew was following him around filming everything.  The majority of the footage became an independent film that is currently touring the country.  The film had even won a couple of awards.  I heard that The McPherson Opera House may feature Jonathan's music and his film at the venue in 2016.  So watch for that announcement.

     During his set, Fleig also featured a tribute to a song that changed the face of music some 24 or 25 years ago in May 1991.  This song was written by several people including Kurt Cobain and it was the 1st track on Nirvana's Nevermind CD.  Fleig sang a country acoustic version of the song.  It was excellent.

     Next up was Burgess Martin and Josh Keeling from the Phenomenon band.  Burgess wowed the audience with several different ways of playing the guitar.  He used a bow, he played two guitars at the same time, he used his infamous tap method.  The audience was mesmerized.  In fact, everyone, jumped to their feet when he began to play and got as close to the stage as they could get to see the action.  Who knew a guitar could sound like that, so otherworldly.  Truly an amazing talent.  Add in the bass guitar licks, provided live by Josh Keeling and sizzling drum beats, provided electronically and what a show.

     As Fleig played his acoustic set, people were drawn in and the crowd swelled.  The crowd continued to be mesmerized by the otherworldly sounds coming from Martin's talented hands, and then Martin played a tribute to the video game Zelda.  The crowd began to disperse and eventually disband altogether.  To which Martin replied, "I guess no one liked my Zelda tribute," and laughed.  Truly though, I just think everyone was just relaxed, happy and ready to head home after a wonderful night of live music on The Plaza.