We are happy to announce that we will have our entertainment housed in a "coffeehouse environment" and located in the former Hammer's building on First Avenue in Oneonta.  We are thankful that Royal Cup Coffee has agreed to co-sponsor this event and will provide regular coffee, decaf, flavored coffee, apple cider, hot chocolate, and more free of charge to our patrons! (Hammer's is just moving down the street to a larger location.) We thank Bob and Pam Hammer for graciously allowing the use of their building!

 

Special thanks to employees of Blount Realty Team for manning the coffee counter on Friday night; and the staff of HomeTown Bank for taking care of it on Saturday all day long! We appreciate you!

 

5:00 p.m., Dillon Vargas

5:30 p.m., Charlotte Murphree as
                 "The Bag Lady Does Christmas"
6:00 p.m., Pearl Harbor Remembrance
7:00 p.m., Jo Ann Bullard

 

 

Dillon Vargas opens Friday night at 5:00 p.m. This singer/songwriter is a graduate of Oneonta High School and now a student at the University of Montevallo.  He is the son of Tammy Owens Vargas and Tim Vargas.  He grew up listening to Garth Brooks and George Strait and loves country music.  He learned to play guitar and sing at church and soon began to pick up other instruments including bass, drums, piano, mandolin, and banjo. As the years progressed, he also began to write songs.  "I am working on my first album at the moment and praying it is a good one. The good Lord willing, I can make my dreams come true. Firmly believing ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!" Come hear Dillon on Friday night!

 

 

Charlotte Murphree serves through her "Voice of Encouragement Ministry," doing humorous sketches with an inspirational message to church groups and civic clubs.  She portrays various characters who are God-inspired and brings an uplifting message everywhere she speaks. A graduate of Guntersville High School, Charlotte and her husband Rodney live in Oneonta and are active at the Wonderful Worship Center.

 

Our Pearl Harbor event will take place at the Coffeehouse at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and will feature vocal solos by Moses Clark and Wanda Gipson and spoken word by Wayne Bynum. We invite ALL veterans of ALL wars and current military to attend and be honored!

 

 

 

Jo Ann Bullard was born and raised in Blount County, Alabama, and has loved music since early childhood.  Raised on a farm in the area of Rainbow Crossing, Jo Ann is a graduate of J. B. Pennington High School.  She has written many songs and has performed all over the Southeast.  Her latest album PROMISE is now available on iTunes and we're sure she'll have copies with her when she performs on December 7.

 

On Saturday, December 8, starting at 9 a.m., we have music planned for all day!

 

Schedule for Saturday, December 8
9:00 a.m., Backwoods Boys Bluegrass Band
10:00 a.m., Ladies of Faith

11:00 a.m., Praise Team of WOC

12:00 p.m., Cindy Hastings

12:45 p.m., Vann & Teresa Burchfield

2:00 p.m., Roman Street

 

Learn more about our musical guests below:

 

ROMAN STREET, the headliner for the day will perform at 2:00 p.m.  Roman Street is an energetic band born and raised out of Mobile,  dabbling in the arts of “new” flamenco, smooth and not-so-smooth jazz, and its own brand of fusion style music with a youthful and spontaneous approach to musical expression.  Their current single, "Caravan" has been on Billboard's top ten for weeks! Noah and Josh Thompson, brothers and guitarists of Roman Street, are internationally trained, seeking to incorporate their travels and experiences into their musical expression. Daniel Brett is their talented percussionist.  Special guest performer with them will be violinist Melody Duncan. The band as a whole seeks to create a unique sound by blending old styles and techniques with a modern twist and, conversely, giving modern music styles a historical elegance. The result is a style that appeals to the young and old alike; a juxtaposition of the new and the traditional that has something for every music lover. Roman Street strives to be a breath of fresh air to those beleaguered by the rampant cover-bands that provide already over-played music. Through a varied repertoire and unique composition, they endeavor to provide some enjoyment for everyone who hears them. They will be performing selections from their first Christmas CD, "Christmas Rhumba," as well as other music. To preview Roman Street, visit their website by clicking here.

 

 

Vann Burchfield is an extremely talented saxophonist from Alabama and has played at venues all over the country. In February 2000, Vann set a new Guinness world record for circular breathing, holding one continuous note for 47 minutes, 6 seconds, surpassing Kenny G’s record of 45 minutes, 47 seconds. Vann realizes that his gifts come from God, and he gives Him all the glory. In August 2001, Vann won first place at GMA’s seminar in the Rockies at Estes Park, Colorado for the national Solo Instrumental Artist competition. Vann has had the honor of performing at the White House on four times during their Annual Holiday Open House during the Christmas season. He has also entertained guests of Alabama's Governor Bob Riley at a Christmas party at the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery. Vann and his wife Teresa have traveled all over the world performing and sharing their talents. Teresa is a gifted singer and songwriter, having toured with Joyce Meyer Ministries and at events all over the country. She is currently working on her third album. We are thrilled to add this duo to our CHRISTMAS COFFEEHOUSE lineup on Saturday, December 8, at 12:45 p.m. Learn more at www.vannburchfield.com.

 

Oneonta's own vocalist Cindy Hastings will perform at 12:00 p.m.  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Children will have the opportunity to hear their favorite holiday stories read by local  "celebrities" at the beautiful Christmas room at Floral Creations, located on the corner of First Avenue East and Third Street in Oneonta.  Stay tuned for a list of who's reading, the time, and the story!

 

Friday, December 7
10:00 a.m.  Dr. Bill Barnett, Pastor
                   Union Hill Baptist Church

                   "The Christmas Story"
                    by Vivian French & Jane Chapman
11:00 a.m.  Bunny Murphree
                   "Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree"

Saturday, December 8
10:00 a.m.  Rev. Odis Epps

                   "Snowmen's Christmas"
11:00 a.m.  Pamela Casey, D.A.

                   "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
1:00 p.m.    Chris Latta

                    "The Legend of the Candy Cane"
2:00 p.m.    Tommy Rountree

                    "Santa and the Christ Child"

 

Children will also be invited to participate in a book exchange by bringing a book from home, wrapped in Christmas paper to place in the collection basket, and then they get to select a book for themselves.  It's kind of a "book swap."  If anyone has books they'd like to donate, please let us know. They do not have to be Christmas storybooks.  Any books left over at the end of our event will be donated to Blount County DHR for foster children.

There are three age divisions: Ages 5-12, Ages 13-18, and Adult.  An entry consists of six cookies.  Cash prizes will be awarded: First Place $100, Second Place $50, Third Place $25. Entries will be on display at the Fellowship Hall of Oneonta First Baptist Church during event hours on Friday and Saturday, December 7-8.  Download the entry form and read more details by clicking here.  Questions? Contact Kristen Gargus at Bows to Toes, 205-493-6086.

 

 

 

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