15 YEARS AGO: IT WAS A FINELY TUNED, CROWD PLEASING CONCERT - Johnny Staats And The Delivery Boys

(07/07/2016)
STAATS STILL PERFORMING 2016

By Bob Weaver 2/2001

The Johnny Staats concert was a "wish you were here" event last night at Calhoun Middle/High School auditorium. Staat's may well be one of the countries best mandolin pickers, he and his group "The Delivery Boys," put on a rip-roarin', finely tuned stage show A to Z - entertaining and professional all the way.

Staats delivers a dynamic performance

Fiddlin' Jake Krack is opening act.

Krack and his group, which includes his mom Dara, opened the evening's entertainment. Calhoun High student Krack gave credit to Calhoun and Braxton counties old time fiddlers for mentoring him. His fiddling talent and skills are amazing for a young man. "He's a great kid and a hard worker," said a spectator. Krack has recorded several CD's and performed at the Kennedy Center last year, in addition to most of West Virginia's folk and bluegrass music festivals.

Jake Krack and Mom, Dara

Staats, known to many local residents as the UPS man, is brilliant with his picking and exuberant with his singing. The group introduced a new song they will be recording called "Savannah," which was written by Staats' sister. The audience was moved by the words and music, a real crowd pleaser.

Staats and The Delivery Boys get standing ovation

It seems that Staat's has already been recognized for his professional talent, including the musicians which surround him, and many believe he is on the edge of moving ahead with his musical career. He has played at the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on numerous national TV shows and dozens of the better venues in the area. He is good, folk.

A woman sitting next to me said "I'll go home and pray he becomes successful. We all know he deserves it." Staats is a natural, easy going, down-home kind of guy. Beyond his nature, he is a highly skilled musician.

Many of Calhoun's well known musicians were there last night, including the backstage crew. Most of them go back a long way, performing since the 1970's.

Grantsville's Bobby Vaughn is one of the Delivery Boys

Drummer, Bush and McCormick still doing it with style

Art Bell has a long history at backstage controls

Jim Burrows of MegaZound

So, if you're sitting at home saying $15-$20 bucks was a little steep. Forget you said it. You would have gotten your money's worth and then some. A large crowd attended the event, a fundraiser for the Calhoun County Athletic Complex Committee.

Staats performs new tune "Savannah"