Fayette County Opry May 15 in La Grange

The Fayette County Country Music Club will host their monthly Opry on Monday, May 15 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $8.

This month the opry is featuring: Larry Waddell, Ella Broussard and Robert Herridge, Charlie Bartos, Dennis Tousek, and Paul Darilek.

Larry Waddell grew up in Bernardo. His early influences in music were Elvis Presley and Earnest Tubb because these were his Dad’s favorites. His brother and he started a band when he was 14 and even recorded a 45 record. He has played with bands ever since, even traveling for several years with a classic rock band way up in Michigan. He is currently working on recording an album of original songs with Van Lange music in Houston.

Ella Boussard, deeply rooted in music … and Texas, Ella B was born to fiddle. The girl who picked up her first violin at three years old now graces the stage as a fresh-faced teenager bringing Country, Cajun, Western Swing, German and Czech music to audiences around our great state and beyond. Her happiest moments come from blazing toe-tapping tunes and watching her audience glide across the dance floor with grace, speed and smiles. At 13 years old, she has performed and jammed alongside many notable musicians, and because of their teachings, her musical journey has become one of her greatest worldly treasures. One teacher/mentor in particular is Gilley’s Little Fiddler, Robert Herridge.

Robert Herridge saw his first guitar at eight years old and knew he wanted to play. Six years later he bought a guitar from a friend for $14 and taught himself. He later played bass for country music singer Johnny Lee and the Roadrunners. In high school, Robert saw a fiddle for the first time and decided right then he wanted to play the fiddle. He took lessons from a homeless wino in exchange for a six pack of beer. He then went off to college as a science major, but music eventually took him away to play professionally. Later he met his mentor, Phil Parr, a blind singer/musician friend. He then joined a country/rock band, Jimmie Lou and the Justins. His association with Johnny Lee landed him a full-time job (for 15 years) with the house band at Gilley’s nightclub in Pasadena. He made several solo records as well as recordings with Johnny Lee. Robert had a number one hit song with his version of Cajun Fiddle. He Also arranged and performed Cotton Eyed Joe for the movie, Urban Cowboy. Today, he is a retired accountant and insurance agency owner and can be found playing fiddle, bass, keyboards, banjo, harmonica, accordion, guitar, mandolin in a variety of musical genres ranging from German, Czech, Polka and Country. From September through early November, he is on the Oktoberfest circuit all over the United States with the German band, Das Ist Lustig. Robert immediately begins work from early November through the end of December at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station, Texas.

Charlie Bartos and Dennis Tousek both love to play the accordion. It was by pure accident that they decided to play their accordions for the Incredible Knockouts at the chili booth at Czhilispiel. This sparked the beginning of the Incredible Music Makers. Charlie is a native of Flatonia, Texas and learned to play the accordion when he was 11 years old. He is mostly selftaught except for a few lessons from his dad and learned to play by practicing every day. He loves to play polkas, waltzes, and country-western music.

Dennis Tousek was born and raised in Moulton in the vicinity of Cotton Grove. He was 9 years old when his parents purchased an accordion for him to play. He received lesson from the famous Charlie Tousek who had a band around the Moulton area. During his teenage years, Dennis only played for his family, and even known to play all night long until the sun was coming up. Charlie and Dennis’ dream came true when the Incredible Music Makers band was formed. Even though the band no longer performs, Charlie and Dennis still get together and play some music.

Paul Darilek grew up around music his entire life. His dad, Leonard, played with numerous polka bands including the last years of the Joe Patek orchestra. He then went on to play with Leroy Rybak, Tony Janak, and the Shiner Hobos. He first played with the Joe Patek orchestra in their final year. He took the place of Henry Brosch, who passed away that year. He had the privilege of playing the last performance of the Joe Patek band, and can say I’m the last survivor from that 1982 last year. My Dad and I eventually played with Leroy Rybak as well as Tony Janak. He gave music up for a long period and then began playing with Southern Express from 2000-2010, eventually having to quit because of a change in jobs. He is currently a retired Texas school superintendent and works for Hallettsville, Sacred Heart Catholic school. Because of family and work, he does not play with a band regularly, but he has sat in with numerous bands when called to help out. It will always be in his blood.

Be sure to be with the Fayette County Country Music Club on Monday, May 15 for this great line of entertainment.