New Life Quartet

New Life Quartet is a southern gospel musical ministry hailing from Mineral Wells, West Virginia. Each member of New Life Quartet, involved in other active ministries at the time of this group's formation in the early spring of 2011, felt a fresh calling from Jesus Christ to join together in this new venture.

New Life Quartet features lead singer, Todd Anderson; baritone singer, Andy Anderson; tenor singer, Zane Gherke; and bass singer, Dave DeBarr.

For more information, visit http://newlifequartet.com.

Talent Show

C&C Auto along with Merf Records, and Megan Breanne Photography present the 2018 Wirt County Fair Talent Show.  Featuring great singing acts looking to take home the grand prize of $300 cash, a recording session, and a photo shoot.  Judges will narrow the field down to the top 5 acts, and then it is up to you, the audience, to determine the winner.  So bring your family and friends to support your favorite act, Friday, August 3rd starting at 7:30 p.m.

Visit www.wirtcountyfair.com/contests/talent_show for more information.

TRO Band

TRO, the Mid-Ohio Valley's newest rock 'n' roll band playing tunes from the Flower Power 60's thru the late 80's focusing on dancable and foot tapping favorites. The band was formed by Ken Barton, Ted Davitian, and Gary Starcher. Ken is a multi-instrumentalist and has contributed guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and keyboards to a number of groups throughout Louisiana and West Virginia. In addition to his solo work, he has an eclectic background, playing in full orchestras, Christian Praise bands, and as an accompanist for other artists. Ted was encouraged to pick up the bass by his teenage son and began playing at many local charity events. Since that time Ted has played with several area bands playing blues, country, southern rock and classic rock tunes. Gary is the key board player and sings back up vocals for the group. He has played a variety of styles of music throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley as a member of several area bands over the past 45 years. The band features Nathan Hess on drums and vocals. Nathan played saxophone in school from 5th grade through high school. Percussion was a side project playing in his dad's German band. Around 2007 Nathan resumed his drumming, attending popular open mic shows around the valley where he met Tracey and Ted. He quickly found it much easier to sing playing drums than playing sax. Rounding out TRO is Tracey Westfall on guitar and vocals. Tracey is a founding member of Pine Lo Gap, a variety band from the Harrisville area. She got her start in 1974 when she bought a guitar for $5 at a yard sale. From the Guess Who to the Eagles to Eddie Money, this 5-piece band guarantees a dancing good time!

Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys

"I started listening to Bill Monroe and playing the mandolin when I was real young, probably around 8 or 9," he recalls. "I think I bought everything Bill Monroe put out. I listened to him and then as I was getting older I wanted to explore different kinds of music. I started hearing Sam Bush and the Newgrass Revival and I liked the way he was playing. It wasn't exactly bluegrass but I wanted to get my own style," and that he did.

Born and raised in West Virginia he caught the bluegrass bug early. With his mother playing piano, his father playing guitar, and his sister on the banjo, it seemed only natural that he would get his first mandolin at the age of seven. Johnny is primarily known as a mandolin player, but he is also proficient with the guitar and fiddle as well.

To date Staats continues to head out every day in his big brown UPS truck, and no matter how big he gets with his music, the folks around the Sandyville, West Virginia area still count on Johnny to deliver right on time.

Johnny joined his first band "Bluegrass Heritage" at the age of 9. He entered competitions at the age of 13 or 14. In high school, "All the kids teased me about playing bluegrass since rock and roll was big then," he recalls.

He has won his share of contests, but that's not for Johnny. For one thing, he writes his own tunes, which doesn't necessarily get you far in contests. Staats has a distinctive style, not only in his playing but in his composition. "I use a lot of pull-offs," he says, "because instead of just hitting a bunch of notes, pull-offs add more flavor to it."

"Wires and Wood," his first album signed to a major label, was a smash. It included the talents of Sam Bush, Jim Hurst, Tim O'Brien, John Cowan and Kathy Mattea. Giant recording label had a big hit on their hands when suddenly they went bust.

Since then Johnny has continued to record and play at concerts on his own with his back up men, "The Delivery Boys."

Staats has no intention of giving up his day job as a UPS driver, which gives a special twist to his story, at least in the eyes of much of the press. Folks all over are sitting up and taking notice of Johnny Staats and his creative energy.

For more information, visit www.johnnystaats.com/.

Sound and lighting provided by Shep's Entertainment.

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