Sunset Park

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Anyone out there remember Sunset Park, West Grove, PA. Just watched a documentary on the park. Back in the 60s and 70s I saw many stars there and even played there a few times. Wonderful place and many great memories.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

My first Ray Price show was at Sunset Park...loved that place!

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Hi Steve,
Saw Ray many times, but never at Sunset. I believe Ben Brogdon told me that he and Doug worked the last show there with Jack Greene as the park closed. Flatt and Scruggs was the first act I saw there in the 60s. The old Ferris Wheel was still operating in those days. Here's a link to the video on the park:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qn4XBZShSA

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

Thx Craig...I was gonna ask you for a link...hope you are well...SH

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Doing well here Steve. During the day, I juggle six plates, and then spend all evening picking up broken china.

Hope you're doing well also Steve.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Michael Weaver · From: Buffalo Grove, IL

Back in the 80s, 2 of my bandmates and I went to see Ricky Skaggs there. Bruce Bouton was on steel and Ray Flacke on the Tele. We took a sign along that praised ray, and I think Ricky got half pi--ed off about that. He wasn't known as :picky Ricky" for nothing!!!! We got to spend some time with both Ray and Bruce afer the show.

Bill Moran · From: Virginia, USA

Craig, I remember Sunset Park from back in the 50's. The Stoneman Family seemed to be there more than others but I did see Lester and Earl, Mac Wiseman, Oswald, Roy Acuff, Don Reno and more. My dad was a bluegrass lover but to this day I would rather hear a dog bark. We seemed to go to New River Ranch about as much as Sunset.
If I ever get up that way again I might just drop in. Smile

_________________
Bill

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Hi Craig,

Went to Sunset Park a few times with my folks back in the 70's. Don't remember who we saw there, but it had to be a big name. Oxford, PA was close to the maximum drive my father would tolerate to see a country act.

Thanks for the link and the great memories!
_________________
1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Michael,
Only seen Ricky a couple of times and was around him a little bit at Valley Forge Music Fair the night he gave Sharon her ring, but never saw a "picky" side of him.

Bill,
Perhaps you could have compromised with your dad and listen to a Salty Dog bark.

Hi Glenn,
It was probably an hour and a half drive from Collegeville in those days, but we'd hear the program on WCOJ and going to Sunset became a habit.

Craig
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Michael,
Forgot to ask; are you acquainted with my friend Rob Zwally from Ephrata? He repairs instruments and plays a single neck E9th

Craig
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Alan Berdoulay · Posted 12 May 2014 6:33 pm

Man you gotta get this book.....

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Hi Alan,
Thanks so much for posting those photos. I'd probably buy the book just for the shots of ET and Charleton.
Remember well the Sunday I first saw the Troubadours on stage at Sunset Park.
Never heard a sound like that before. No gimmicks, just Charleton, a Sho~Bud and a Standel. WOW !

Thanks again Alan.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

My folks and I went there a lot during the '60s and '70s, and I even bought my first pedal steel there! Met some of the local players there (John Bechtel and Wayne Tyler are a couple I recall) and also most of the famous players, too. Stu Basore and Buddy Charleton were always friendly, so we seldom missed an ET or Kitty Wells' show. Those were the days, my friend, and you had to be there to appreciate it. Most all the big stars would walk off stage and mingle with the crowds and do autographs and pictures while the bands sold their albums. Funny, but everyone seemed so much more approachable and friendly back then.

Richard Bass · From: Sabang Beach, Philippines

Played there many times with Faron Young. Always enjoyed it.
_________________
I want to die from exhaustion not boredom.

Michael Weaver · From: Buffalo Grove, IL

Craig,
I do know Rob, although I have not seen him in quite some time. I gave him his first steel guitar, which was a double neck Marlen in a rather sad condition. I really should look him up one of these days. We went to the same high school, and he graduated either 1 or 2 years before me. His father gave me lessons when I started out in elementary school. I started out on alto sax, and then also took up clarinet 2 years later.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Thanks Michael,
I also sent Rob the Sunset Park link. He played there many times as well. Lot's of memories from that venue. I recall riding the Ferris wheel and I was there the day the french fry stand caught fire. I don't remember exactly how long it took the grease-soaked wood to burn completely down. It was either 8 seconds or 9. LOL

Lucky you live in Ephrata Michael. . . Where else could you get a sandwich that tastes and sounds great, but from Li'l Izzy?

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Michael Weaver · From: Buffalo Grove, IL

I have never seen that, nor heard of it. I wonder when that was taken, and where.....

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

They're a local company that works fairs and festivals. By the way, if you would like Rob's contact info, just send me an email.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Tiny Olson · From: Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY

I played there once with Johnny Russell and many times with Gene Watson. Always had a great time playing that gig. There was another RV park at Nova, Ohio that was smaller but also featured Nashville acts in the 70s which we played a few times. Anyone remember that one ??

Chris "Tiny" O.

Tiny Olson · From: Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY

I just remembered a time we played Sunset Park with Gene when he arrived at the gig in a strange way. This was probably around 1982 or so.

We the band had driven in with the bus and Gene was flying in for some reason I don't recall. Anyway, he missed a connection along the way. It was the days before cell phones, we were all on stage as show time was now. No Gene... not the norm for him at all. We had no idea where he was. Larry Booth, our bass-man and front man did a few songs but it was time for Gene. Suddenly, a helicopter showed up above the park then lowered to a clearing. Out came Gene. He ran to the stage and as he was doing so we kicked of "Cowboys Don't Get Lucky All the Time." He hit the stage, grabbed the mike and went about business.

It was pretty cool and the crowd loved it.

Chris "Tiny" O.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Great story Tiny, thank you for sharing. Hopefully, this thread will eventually be seen by many players who signed their name on the "dressing room" wall back stage. No doubt their are many stories out there waiting to be told.

Before she had her own band, I clearly remember seeing Loretta Lynn walk off stage in tears because the local band couldn't play ANY of her tunes. Sunset had three shows in those days. She got through the first show doing tunes like You Are My Sunshine etc. They located different musicians for the second and third shows.

Buddy Charleton told me he never liked playing there during the 3-show years. Many times bands didn't finish until after 10 PM.

Thanks again Tiny.

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Dennis Saydak · From: Manitoba, Canada

Deacon Brumfield concert at Sunset Park:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_J6Rx-7ps
_________________
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've never been to Sunset Park, but I've played at Shorty and Sally Fincher's Valley View Park in Hellam, Pa (on US30 between York and Lancaster).

I've also played at Himmelreich Grove Park, in Heidelberg Township near Lebanon, Pa.

The Sunday we played at Himmelreich Grove, we were the "staff band" and backed Roy Clark.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Dennis,
Great link, thank you for sharing that. I can still hear Alex Campbell introducing him. . . " Here's Deacon Brumfield on The Old Timey Dobro".

Jack,
I've heard so many folks mention Himmelreich's Grove over the years. Always wondered what it was like, and what year it closed. I lived in Lebanon County in the 90s and it was long gone by that time. It was indeed a famous place. The Delaware Valley was fortunate to have many such venues. Sleepy Hollow Ranch, Sante Fe Ranch etc. As far as I know, Alburtis Park still operates as well as Knoebel's Grove, up near Shamokin. Thanks for checking in Jack.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Roy Peterman · From: Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania

Boy, this thread brings back a lot of good memories from years ago. I got the chance to play at most all of the parks at one time or other. Does anyone remember Ontelaunee Park (hope I spelled that right), not very far from Kutztown, PA? I played there with Jimmy Carter (Gary Carter's brother) back in 1975 for the first time. I think a fella named Shorty Long ran the Park if I remember correctly. Tiny, was the Park in Ohio you mentioned called Ponderosa Park? I played there with David Houston. I remember Mel Street being there that day, and it was the first time I met and heard Mike Johnson play. What a player, and a great memory! Those were the days, Craig.

Roy

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