Four Stars for Country

Here's a review of my latest performance with Daddy D productions, written by Warren Gerds, critic for the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Darren Johnson and a countrified Daddy D Productions lineup has a particularly entertaining show going in "Classic Country."

A lively audience that cheered practically every song and skit on opening night Friday added oomph.

The show opens in high gear with "Rocky Top" and continues with zip from there.

For a sample of the variety, here's a winning sequence:

• After a comic bit as NASCAR types, Shawn Connelly as bit dim racecar driver and Doug Dachelet as a pit commentator romp through "Beer Run."
  
• Johnson strolls out as a scruffy guy pushing a broom to drawl-sing the spoof, "King of the Road."
  
• Anna Snyder and Dachelet bicker a bit as a live-in couple to set up "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly."
  
• Changing pace, Shelly Emmer pours on glamour in a lovely gown as she croons "You've Been Talking in Your Sleep."
  
• Johnson returns as buck-toothed Skip Church, the Sunday morning drive time DJ on WMOO Radio, No. 1 in Krakow. Out from the astounding character fly hilarious jokes, stories and rooster squawks.
  

In the band are Ryan Thompson, who is nimble on guitar and mandolin and in song; Ryan Sette, bass; Jeff Hinnendael, drums; and Jeni Funk, keyboards.

The ensemble scores with good stuff in country songs of 30 or more years ago — corn, love, dance zest, melancholy, comedy, faith, harmony, warmth, fun, heartbreak and more.

Big pluses are Johnson and Thompson for their versatility and Connelly for his flair for building a story into a song, such as "Kaw-liga."

And yes, in that picture I am wearing a snowmobile suit...