Wednesday, July 2, 1986
Independence Days
University Daily Kansan
2 local men hope TV will be playing their song
By Rachelle Worrall Staff writer
When the flame of an idea flickered into a dream. Now that dream has blazed in a reality.
Hard work, talent and luck have pushed a song written by two Lawrence men, David "Piano Man" Cooke Warner Larsen, to the edge of ACCESS.
Lewis's wife, Pam, said that week that there was a 69.9 percent chance that the day would be when its video will be played during national television station breaks for the opening ceremonies of Liberty Weekend in New York tomorrow
"Our Lady Liberty" is about the Statue of Liberty, and its timely entrance has helped make it a success, Lewis said.
The song was written, recorded and made into a video in the last month and a half during evening hours and weekends. Cook said. Both
men work at Art & Sign Graphics Corp., 619 Vermont St.
"We were basically trying to put our skills into one project," Cook said. "I come from the schooled music end of things."
Lewis has a radio and television background and has written some commercial jingles. Cook wrote the music, and both men wrote the
"The secretaries were giving us numbers they said they shouldn't give." Cook said.
Lewis said, "We had a little bit of luck on our side."
After the song was written, Cook and Lewis started making phone calls to New York and found themselves speaking to Julian Ludwig, coordinator of special projects for Liberty Weekend.
Chorus to 'Lady Liberty'
Lady Liberty keep on standin' by our land Radiant from sea to shinin' sea! Lift up the torch of freedom Let its brightness gleam forever May you always be our Lady, Liberty!
Their call to Ludwig ended with a kind refusal. Cook said. They were told that 2,000 people had already called with similar ideas, and that
— Dave Cook, Warner Lewis Songwriters
the Liberty Weekend program had been set for months, so they shouldn't bother sending a tape.
Cook and Lewis sent the tape anyway, and the Liberty people liked it enough to request that a video be made, he said.
during commercial breaks, Lewis said. The audience in New York Harbor would see it on a big-screen TV, and it would be televised worldwide. In countries with government-owned television stations, which don't have commercials, it would certainly be seen.
The video would be used for filler
"The irony is, if we want to see it we have to go to Europe/" Lewis said.
Depending on how much filler time is needed, however, the video may not be seen locally.
The video is not an MTV-type video. It features Lawrence people who have nice singing voices, but they are amateurs. Cook said.
"Not only are we carrying the banner of David Cook and Warner Lewis, but I do feel like we re ambassadors in this particular case," said Lewis.
The video is set in Lawrence, and features people in a field holding hands and singing. Cows, children are playing with animals, and give a homeown feeling to the video.
The song is along the lines of "We Are the World," Cook said, but it features ordinary people instead of singing stars.
"Our Lady Liberty" has been played locally on station KLWN-AM.
Cook said.
Lewis said they were uncertain whether the song would become a success after Liberty Weekend.
"We're going to react to whatever happens to the song. It gives credibility. That's what made this whole project worth while," he said. "It works as a vehicle it allows a game person to be aware of what we can do.
Cook said, "Almost anything can happen. We've already hit a bullet with a bullet. We're just enjoying it right now.
"July 5 could roll around and it could just be over. Or something magic could happen.
"If the song is played and something happens, everything happens."
Becky Cook, David Cook's wife, and Pam Lewis said it had been a tiring but exciting experience.
Little town blues Students take off to attend celebrations in New York
"The kids on our block are singing the song." Becky Cook said.
By Rachelle Worrall
Three KU students are in New York on all-expense paid trips for Liberty Weekend, but chances are they don't know anyone they know from Lawrence.
Area travel agencies said few people had purchased flights to New York specifically for Liberty Weekend.
"I sometimes wonder if these things that have a lot of hoopla cause some people to stay away." Beverly Berens, travel agent for the Maupitour in the Kansas Union branch, said last week.
"I haven't perceived it as a thing a lot of people from the University community would flood to — not like Four. Four it's not really practical."
But for the three students who have all-expense paid trips to New York, the impractical is a reality.
Avon, a major corporate sponsor of the Statue of Liberty, chose 250 students from across the country to act as tour guides and hostesses during the Liberty Weekend celebration. Helen Taylor, Overland Park sophomore, was the only Kansas applicant chosen to be a Liberty Hostess. Avon is sponsoring the hostesses' trips.
Two KU band members will play in the band at the lighting ceremony.
The hostesses and guides will escort dignitaries, officials and tourists, said Rolene Keller, a beauty and public relations for Avon
the son of the Lightning,
Katie Cooper, Leavenworth junior,
and Pam Malinowski, Kansas City,
Kan. senior, have been in New York
rehearsing since June 20th. Cooper plays the French horn, and Malinowski plays the trombone.
Cooper and Malinowski were chosen for the trip through recommendations by the KU band's board of directors, which is made up of band teachers. Their trip is being paid for by the Liberty Committee.
But most students can only dream of making the trip. Jennie Blevins, Overland Park sophomore, said, "I think it would be a blast to go."
Blevins said she had seen on television that space for recreational vehicles was being made for the celebration, but she couldn't afford to
"I'd just love to go camp out there." she said.
The Liberty Weekend begins today and ends Sunday. Tonight, at 8 o'clock, ABC will air a Liberty Weekend preview.
Official open ceremonies begin at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. The evening's events include the lighting of the statue's torch by President Reagan and the induction of about 20,000 immigrants and in four U.S. cities.
A symphony orchestra will play during the lighting of the statue. Network coverage will be from 8:30 to 11 p.m.
"The Americana Music Concert",
featuring American composers and
singing stars, will air from 8 to 10
amid the pandemic. Our works display
be from 9 to 10 p.m.
Closing ceremonies will be Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m., and will feature entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Lionel Richie.
Good guys to take stand against bad guys
Staff writer
By Kristi Schroeder
A saloon, a bank, a two-story hotel, a jail with a hanging beam and an outhouse all set the stage for an old-fashioned. Western shoot-out.
As part of the Independence Days festival, the Lawrence Gunfighters Association will re-enact the history of the West with skirts that include comedy, drama, gunfights and a masked Parker, past president of the group.
"We re-enact situations that actually did or could have happened in the past," Parker said.
The group will perform four times on Saturday and Sunday at the festival. It will bring its own stage in the town, but the skirts will be a town. All of the skirts will be different.
The association was formed in October 1983 and has 25 acting members, many sound technicians, pro managers and a support team.
Parker said. The group has been meeting once a week to perfect its act.
Parker said. The group not only gives public performances such as Independence Days, but it also takes part in competitions sponsored by the National Association of Old West Gunfighter Teams.
"We're better-known outside of Lawrence," Parker said. "We only do one show a year here and that's Independence Days."
But what may be entertainment for
some, is serious business to the
group's members. Safety is a top
priority with the association, Parker
The group has competed in different cities throughout the region, Parker said. Although the group did not do well last year in competition — it was its first year — it placed third last week in Junction City.
"We have a long list of safety regulations," he said. "We love to entertain, but we don't want anyone to get hurt."
The group gives safety speeches to children before each performance, he said. The speeches emphasize that
the skis are being performed by professionals using professional equipment.
The group also warns the audience not to try to do what the group does.
"Safety is a critical part of the program," Longhurst said. "And great care should be taken to emphasize safety and be tried on the children's own."
Longhurst said he realized that the history of Lawrence had significant events that related to guns and death. Those events were very important to the people who settled this area and worked to make Kansas a free state,
David Longhurst, Lawrence city commissioner who was a strong advocate of the 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of handguns, said she would definitely be words of caution to young people who may be watching.
"There is a bloody history to Lawrence." he said.
But the gunfighters take extra care to not glorify violence, Parker said.
Most of the group's dramas have deep morals, he said, and they try to explain that their performance is how it was from the 1720s to 1990s.
"We try to put on a family show that everyone will enjoy," he said.
Last year after a performance, the group noticed a young boy imitating the gunfighters and acting violent. Parker and some other members of the group pulled the boy aside and exe-
cled him. Then the group and its performance again.
The group also goes out of its way to see that children understand its safety speeches and that they take them to heart. Parker said. The children close attention to the children's reactions after the skirts are finished.
The boy then had a better understanding of the dangers involved in using guns and that violence was not an answer to problems, but a response. The group preciated the extra time the group took to explain these principles.
Larry Fish, president of the association, said the group had a safety director who regulates safety.
All of the group's complicated gun-
fights were choreographed. Fifth said,
"Who shoots who, when and where they shoot is planned," he said.
But all the precautions still don't eliminate all the risks. Fish said. Injuries and accidents are always possibilities.
"Sometimes in a fistight, even though you practice and practice, you're going to throw a punch and it connects."
Even though the group uses blanks, Parker said, there is a risk involved in what the group does. The group tries to avoid injury by using a brand of blanks that they have found to be effective. They also have excessive powder burns, he said.
"We're here to make people laugh and cheer and maybe even cry," he said.
Staff writer
By Dana Spoor Staff writer
Venturing back in time, to a place far, far away, is what Prairie Home Companion is all about, according to promoters.
Al Bernham, director of development at KANU radio and one of the coordinators of the Independence Days musical events, said last week, that everyone should enjoy the event, which will feature performers from the "Gospel in Motion" Company," broadcast from 5 to 7 p.m. every Saturday on KANU.
"We have some objectives that we want to achieve in the selection of the groups," Bernham said. "We are pleased with the lineup."
Friday night the musical entertainment will start with Blue Grass music from Stoney Lonesome at 6:15 p.m. He will be followed by the Eclectic Brothers The Lake Wobegon Mandolin Orchestra will play at 8:40 p.m. There will be a performance, James Dapony and the Chicago Blue Four will perform.
Judy Wright, Independence Days coordinator, said the performers from Prairie Home Companion were because they were entertaining.
Garrison Keiler created the radio program, which is about a mythical town.
"We feel like they go along with our theme," Wright said. "They are a delightful group that is very eclectic in their sound."
Bernham said the show attracted more listeners - more than 2.5 million - than any show on public radio.
"It is a program that harkens back to the old days of radio," he said.
During the two-hour program, advertisements from mythical sponsors, such as hometown restaraunas and beauty parlorists.
All of the people and groups who will perform Friday night, with the exception of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, will perform Prairie Home Companion broadcast.
"We have some outstanding artists," Bernham said. "We are really excited about the line-up on Friday night."
The excitement culminates eight months of planning, planning that was not completely fruitful.
"I started working on the choices a long time ago," he said. "We started putting together lists and negotiating some of it eight months ago."
The entertainment budget began at $10,000, Bernham said.
"We ended up spending a little more than that, but that was the original budget," he said.
One entertainer will not appear this year because of hard negotiations and other commitments.
"Bamu Gibson will not appear," he said. "It is an example of difficult negotiations. She had commitments with St. Louis."
Sights and sounds at Independence Days
Burcham Park
Friday
6 — 9 p.m. — Bands and other performances. These include — from the Prairie Home Company — Bloney Lonesome, The Echecter Brothers, Lake Wobegon Manor, The Chicago Blue Four, the Chicago Blue Four. The Lawrence Symphony Orchestra also will perform.
9 p.m. — Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by the Lawrence Jaycees.
Riverfront Stage
10:15 a.m. — Tod Newman, 1985
The contest winner.
Saturdav
11:35 a.m. — River City Six, New Orleans jazz
singersongwriter comedian writer
10.40 a.m. — Independence Days Heritage
1:15 p.m. — Doc Bullywhack's Magic Show
dotte Constitutional Convention of 1859"
11:35 a.m. — River City Six, New Orleans
12:25 p.m. — Bluestem, prairie grass music
6. 25 p.m. — Liberty, youth old-time string band.
Program, "The Birth of a State: The Wyan
3:10 p.m. — Full Circle, folk-fusion music
4 p.m. — Independence Days Heritage
Program
1:45 p.m. — Chuck Berg Jazz Band
2:05 p.m. Fashion Stillmore store teller
4:55 p.m. — Mortgage, outsourcing
5:45 p.m. — Occasional String Band, old-time music
11:05 a.m. — Shuffle Creek Dancers, clogging
and old-time dancing
1:49 p.m. - Check dary sung bars
2:35 p.m. - Exuni Stallion storyteller
Riverfront Stage
10:15 a.m. — Chuck Berg Band
11:55 a.m. — Scartaglen, Irish music
1:35 p.m. — Christian Heritage Choir.
Program
m. — Montage, blues/swing
12:45 p.m. — Full Circle
1:25 p.m. — Christian Harvest
3:05 p.m. → Scartaglen
2:15 p.m. — Bluestem
Shelter Theatre
7:30 p.m. — Featured performer Leo Kottke and Aslaen at the Wheel
3:55 p.m. — Shuffle Creek Dancers
4:45 p.m. — River City Six
Shelter Theatre
10:30 a.m. — Michael Helvey, banjo player
11 a.m. — Arts Center Players
11:30 a.m. — Candi Baker's Popcorn Co.
dance performance group from the
Juvenile Cancer Center
12 p.m. — Liberty, youth string band
12:30 p.m. — Mad, Sad and Glad Players,
summer youth theatre
12 p.m. — Liberty, youth string band
3 p.m. — Mao, Sad and Glad Players
3:30 p.m. — Mobile Messner, puppets
summer youth theatre
Grace Olsen
2:30 p.m. — Candi Baker's Popcorn Co.
2 p.m. — Men, Joe and Clad Players.
2 p.m. — Eunice Stallworth
9450 F-16 Michael Hollman
2:15 p.m. — Michael Helvey
Credit: Carol Brennan Crest
1:30 p.m. — Occasional String Band
3.30 p.m. — Mobile Massner, puppets
4 p.m. — Liberty *
4:30 p.m. — Occasional String Band
In the park
11 a.m. — Uncle Sam Look-a-Like Contest
11 a.m. — Shoot-out, Lawrence Gunfighters
Association
Association
11 a. n. — Sheep to Shawl Contest, Kaw Valley Handweavers Guild Booth
12 p.m. — ThunderBird Theater Perfor
1 p.m. — Most Beautiful Baby Contest
1 p.m. — Shootout
2 p.m. — Historic Sidewalk Tour of downtown Lawrence, meet at main en-
4. p.m. ThunderBird Theater Performance
5 p.m. — Shoot-out
Tent Stage
Sunday
10 a.m. — River City Six
10 a.m. - Independence Days Heritage
10 a.m. - Independence Days Heritage
11:45 a.m. — Chuck Berg Band
12:35 p.m. — Last Kansas Exit, bluegrass
Band
1:25 p.m. — Bee Baby
1:55 p.m. — Montage
1:55 p.m. — Montage
2:45 p.m. — Funice Stallworth
2:45 p.m. — Eunice Stairworm
3:20 p.m. — Full Circle
The Future of Kansas
2.55 e.m. Christian Heritage Choir
12 p.m. — Bluestem
4:10 p.m. — Alfred Packer Memorial String Road
10:45 a.m. — Shuffle Creek Dancers
11:30 a.m. — Kaw Valley Dance The
Riverfront Stage
1:30 p.m. — Kaw Valley Dance Theater
2 p.m. — Gov. John Carlin (1986) and Gov. Charles Robinson (1861) speak on "The Future of Kansas."
Sheiter Theatre
11 a.m. — Pop and Shop, barbershop
11:30 a.m. — Lawrence Recorder
Ensemble
12:45 p.m. — Alfred Pack Memorial String Band
2:55 p.m. — Christian Heritage Chapel
3:00 p.m. — Last Kastanja Exit
4:20 p.m. — Shuffle Creek Dancers
5:00 p.m. — Fountain
12 p.m. — Michael Helvey
12:30 p.m. — Mad, Sad and Glad Players
2:15 p.m. — Eunice Stallworth
2. 30 p.m. — Mad, Sad and Glad Players
3 p.m. — Bluestem
3:45 p.m. — Arts Center Players
3.45 p.m. — Arts Center
4.15 p.m. — Mobile Messner
4.45 p.m. — Liberty
In the park
11 a.m. — Shoot-out, Lawrence Gunfighters Association
12 p.m. ThunderBird Theater Perfor
Annitt Enderton
1 p.m. — Most Beautiful Baby Contest
1 p.m. — Shoot-out
2 p.m. — ThunderBird Theater Performance
1.
3 p.m. — Shoot-out
park
- p.m. — Historic Sidewalk Tour of Old West Lawrence, meet at main entrance of park
4. p.m. - ThunderBird Theater Performance
5 p.m. - Shoot-out