After 5: Side Gigs

“Ozark Jubilee” was one of the first TV shows to take country music to the broad American public. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils formed here and went on to fame and fortune. Jazz bassist, the late Dallas Bartley, lived in Springfield, and native Charlie Haden is one of the most well respected bass players working in jazz today. And Springfield’s neighbor to the south bills itself as the live music capital of the United States.

Many people in Branson actually make a living playing music, but for the most part, the bulk of musicians around here practice it as an avocation rather than a full-fledged career.

Richard Struckhoff is a prime example. By day, he’s Greene County clerk. But he and his band, Geezer, play on a regular basis and have entertained folks at Springfield’s biggest annual event, Firefall.

“We focus on classic rock – Eagles, Beatles, Little River Band,” Struckhoff says. “I play rhythm guitar and sing. I find it’s a great way to relieve stress, and my grandkids think I’m cool. My son, Eric, plays bass in the band, which is the biggest kick for me. While some dads go fishing or hunting with their sons, we play music. We really do have a blast.”

Many people who played music in bars, roadhouses and nightclubs when they were young have found a decidedly different musical outlet these days: church.

David Cantrell, who, with his wife Karen, owns Cantrell-Barnes Printing, played in the rock band The Blendors in the 1980s. They occasionally get back together, but David Cantrell’s regular gig is as the drummer for South Haven Baptist Church’s contemporary praise and worship service.

“When I was growing up, drums weren’t really appropriate in church,” Cantrell recalls.

But things have changed. “We started going to South Haven and around that same time, a new pastor came and said, ‘We’re going to add a contemporary service and have guitars and drums,’” Cantrell says. “Karen and I looked at each other and said, ‘That’s why we’re here.’ It’s kind of a God thing.”

The beat goes on

Brandon Beck is the morning and noon meteorologist on KY3 TV. He’s been with the station 11 years. He’s also played drums at North Point Church for the past year.

“I picked up the drums in junior high,” Beck says, “and played some in high school and college and then didn’t touch the drums for seven or eight years. Then, when I started going to North Point, the opportunity arose.”

Beck and some friends got together Feb. 16 to play a benefit for the Springfield-based charity, Convoy of Hope. Although they haven’t played again, Beck says they may do so if something comes up.

Serious players

Gerald Chism, a retired Springfield firefighter after 24 years, recently realized his musical dream: He and three friends formed Loose Ends. The others have day jobs, but Chism is a full-timer. The band plays gigs on a regular basis, most recently at Border’s Queen City Shout II.

“I’ve played music since I was 9 years old,” Chism says, “and the last few years I’ve gotten back into it.”

There are many more people like this around town. Wayne Morelock of Morelock-Ross has a rock band called Jack the Dog. Steve Smith, general manager of Travelnow.com, a subsidiary of Expedia, plays regularly in three bands – Steve Smith and the Sneakers, The Painter/Smith Band and the jazz combo Regarding Dan.

Singer/songwriter Jenny Vinyard – whose debut CD is due out this spring – is a respiratory therapist. Even John Dillon – a founding member of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – is a principal partner with Meridian Creative Alliance, an Ozark advertising agency.

All of these people have found a way to balance life in the work world with their love of making that joyful noise.[[In-content Ad]]