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Show entinel Western States Insurance Guardian of Your Community News WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009 • A7 Namon Bills / The Sentinel RETIREMENT: Western States Insurance held a retirement open house for Susan Barber Friday, July 31. She has been with the family business for over 30 years. Pictured, left to right, are Shantelle Martinez, Susan Barber and Matt Barber. Susan plans to stay busy working with the Rotary, the Chamber and the DUR She has also gone back to BYU to finish her degree in history. Jeril Bills / TJie Sentinel SHOWMAN: Michael Kelsey thrilled audiences with his unique blend of musical genres and showmanship Saturday, July 31. Farmers' Market Michael Kelsey draws crowds at Boothe Bros. Jeril Bills STAPF W R I T E R Virtuoso acoustic guitarist Michael Kelsey of Lafayette, Ind., returned to Spanish Fork to perform to an enthusiastic audience inside a packed Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center Friday evening. Kelsey amazed and thrilled the audience with his songwriting, his skillful guitar playing and his interactive, entertaining performance style. In addition to plucking and strumming, Kelsey tuned and detuned, tapped and banged on his guitar during the performance. On a couple of occasions he even let his drummer, whom he referred to as "RB," attack the strings with mallets, creating a percussive musical sound. Kelsey also interacted with the audience, including inventing songs about audience members, and improvising lyrics to one song based on song title ideas from the audience. He received two standing ovations. Teny McAuliffe of Ogden, who was at the concert on Friday, has been a fan of Kelsey's for a long time, by his estimates, eight to 10 years. McAuliffe, a guitar player for 41 years, called Kelsey a "virtuoso extaordinaire," saying, "He does something with the guitar -that nobody else can do." McAuliffe added that he has met a number of famous artists in his day, including Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton and the band Led Zeppelin. He said that out of all of these, "Nobody has impressed me as much as [Kelsey]" Cace"de Cim Coggins, a new member of a musical group called The Robn Hood and Chang Band, came to the concert with Chang and McAuliffe. Coggins had never seen Kelsey live before Friday, and she was impressed. "I think he's completely inspiring for an up-andcoming aspiring artist," Coggins said. Kelsey stuck around for a bout an hour after the concert to sign autographs, chat, and take pictures with fans. Kelsey said there is a "wonderful feel" at the Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center, adding later that "it just all comes together out here." Kelsey's music is difficult to pigeonhole into any specific genre. Kelsey said he has "always liked different kinds" of music, and that he "never locked into any particular style." He said he likes the art of music, as well as how music facilitates self-expression, a theme he touched on during the concert. During performances, Kelsey believes in "keeping it loose," and "just [letting] your spirit out." "I didn't really talk much when I was younger," Kelsey said. But, "when you're really into what you're doing ... your personality is out." Kelsey said that among the influences on the way he entertains on stage are comedians who don't just recite a script, but who look out at the audience and mold their show based on what they observe. He said he loves watching comedians, not for their jokes, but for their energy on stage. Namon Bills / The Sentinel OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Spanish Fork's annual farmers' market opened Saturday, Aug. 1 and will run every Saturday through October from approximately 8 a.m.-l p.m. on the south side of Center Street between Main and 100 West. Above, Vickie Newel! of Santaquin buys some strawberries from Reed Cornaby of Cornaby's Farms in Salem. Left, Francisco Villescas from Volker's Bakery in Kamas assists customers. You may qualify for the Home Owner's Stimulus Package First time h o m e buyers $8,000 Tax Credit Discount Home Builders discount $9,000* Total $17,000.00 Additional Discounts may be available. Call 801-423-1141 Custom Homes • Remodels • Addition . Reduced price on building lots rabcrlnelsoneonsiiuenon.com ANTICIPATION: Crowds gather waiting for the doors to open at the Michael Kelsey concert. *Discount with purchase of new custom home on designated lot in Salem. |