There’s a good size list of entries ready to entertain, surprise and maybe even make fools of themselves all for the enjoyment of their friends and neighbors during this year’s Ole and Lena Days’ Hometown Variety Show set for Friday, February 5.
With the show just a little over a week the list of acts is close to complete but a few acts are trickling.
Locals such as the Song of Prairie Chorus, Andrew McCormick, Emma Woods, Hillary Rupp and Aaron Schuler will be introduced on to the stage by everybody’s favor Master of Ceremony, Ben Lecy.
Complementing local talents will be this year’s headlining entertainment, the Kingery Family of Atwater.
The Kingery Family
Whether playing ball or bluegrass, the Kingery name has been synonymous with talent and success.
Most recently, the Kingerys are known for their 10 member, family bluegrass band who tailors their tunes toward the glory of God. But husband and father, Mike, has also made the name famous playing professional baseball for seventeen years.
After graduating from Atwater high school. Mike began his lengthy tenure in the major leagues, wearing a uniform with the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s, Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He excelled to the point of challenging for the National League batting title in 1994, hitting .349 before the infamous baseball strike shortened the season.
He was just two years into his career when he married Chris, and the two began growing their family of 10. While all of the children were given musical upbringings, much of the Kingery’s family band beginnings are attributed to the demanding travel schedule of the baseball season, “singing [during the long drives] helped to pass the time well,” said their online biography.
After his baseball career had ended in 1996, Mike began ministering to the elderly. It was at this point that the band really began to coalesce as the family began to perform for an audience, singing at nursing homes.
Nowadays the Kingerys find themselves in increasing demand, having been booked for music festivals, fairs and other events. Granite Falls is really getting a treat to have them coming here.
Anyone interested in getting a taste of their music can check out the Kingery Family’s website www.thekingeryfamily.com.
Granite Falls, Minn. —
