2011
The Frontporch Stage was nominated in 2010 for The Bootstrap Award.
The Bootstrap is awarded for achieving succss "on a shoestring" having
limited resources or finances. The Frontporch definitely fits in that regard!
John Henderson, Betty Williams, Jane and Jerry Babbitt attended the Awards
Banquet in Little Rock on March 8th. Although we didn't win we did get our
picture taken with Miss Arkansas and had a fine chicken dinner!

Betty Williams, Richard Davies, Jane Babbitt
John Henderson, Jerry Babbitt and Alyse Eady
Richard is the Executive Director of Parks & Tourism
Elyse in the reigning Miss Arkansas

 

Our 2012 Montgomery County Possum Queen, Donna Jones

The 2011 Possum Parade, Picnic & Crownin'
 

	It all starts with Potentate John directing the Possum Sheriff David on the intricate Parade route!!!	John and the Hasbeen Queens Before the parade	Possum Potentate John Henderson cutting a fine figure	Queen Jerline
The Wannabees			The Hasbeens
	The Procession Potentate John with Queen Jerline XVI	The Hasbeens	The Wannabees	Royal Musicians Clyde & Dorothy	The Royal Court of 2011...
Miss Betty says a few words about the queens...			Queen Jerline awaits the results of the election with obvious joy!		Potentate John asks for "The Envelope Please!"
	The Wannabees await nervously		John makes a few more remarks..the tension mounts...		These ladies are now and forever Possum Princesses of Montgomery County Arkansas
But there is only one wannabee to be crowned today...		Yippeeee I won , I won I'm the Queen!! Queen XVII Donna Jones		You get all this stuff for being queen...
And here's a bunch of pictures of the whole thing
		Hasbeen Queens but Queens None the less Forever...
					What a beautiful day for all of us to enjoy...Thanks to the wonderful spirit of all the ladies of Possums Unlimited
	The Lansdales from Daisy OK Our Friends!!!			Thanks everyone, come back and see us as often as you can...

 

It was a great time at the
Posey Hill Show...here are a few pictures
 

The Burnett Party!	Nothing like a little Saturday party to lift the spirit!			He Huffed, He Puffed Blew that 50 right over... mmmm cake!
Mr Chuck Hughes Banjo Player Mandolin Player Guitar Player Teller of bad jokes		Pete, Clyde & Dorothy enjoy the great weather	We come early, we want front row seats for this show!		Just the vocal warm up was a treat. Doug Erin and Kristain have such beautiful harmonies!
	Getting ready to throw down some tunes!		Sound Check was awesome... Shady Grove!!!		Doug Erin Kristain Chuck
Yeah, I'm fifty! So far so good... I got Cake! Doug Burnett			Everybody had Cake!! Really good Cake		And Music... Really Good Music
Yep...we're having a real good time!		Look here's a Shady spot...			Can we see over these people... yes we can
	Yep, got here early, stake out this shady spot!		Shameless Commerce Ready!!!		Your Majesty... All Hail Queen Anita and... hey Dan!
Mike, Pete, Carol Hodge....!!! Yep we're liking this...		Your Majesty... All Hail Queen Barbara... and Hey Daniel			Hey Greg! Great Cake...Great Music
	The regulars gather in the shade for every show!		I'm gonna grow up and be a star!	We sit back here near the food... sounds great out here...
	The Barbaras and Possum Princess Miss Ida Mae!			Yay, Frontporch ah...youth!!	Seeya

From Patterson Danley & Reid
 

	Moonlight Over Mt Ida			Laura Danley Justin Patterson Gene Reid
Earlier when all was quiet...				Welcome to Mt Ida and the frontporch stage...there's an announcement I must make
	The beautiful and talented  Laura Danley		Justin Patterson looking good	Gene Reid , that's R E I D scotch not...
Hey Bill! There's that guy with the camera...			Princess Barbara, Idamae, Pam behind the store	These young fellers from Memphis riding the trails on their bikes
	I've got elves up there working on your Christmas..		What a show...!	Princess Idamae
Greg was loving the show...			We like it... Front Row Seats		On the Aisle...
Thanks for coming folks					Thanks for having us...

Ouachita River Ramblers Sept 24th
 

The Stage sits all empty just waiting for a show to come along...		Here's some folks who are ready to do a Show, They are friends we have here pretty often		From the hills around Mt Ida The Ouachita River Ramblers! Al's bass ....
	The Band folk just lookin for a little shade...		Cool License Plate Get You One!!!		Hats too!!! right ladies?
Great tunes from the Ramblers...		Al Crawford keeping that bluegrass beat...		The Ouachita River Ramblers
	All kinds of folks before the show...		the back yard crowd...		The front yard crowd...
even LSU fans like the porch...		And little doggies like the porch		And this lets you see the....
	Such a beautiful evening...				Special guests Glenn and Angie from Lonsdale!

Let's take another band shot

Seeya next week at the picnic!

Photos from Dewayne Hodges Show
 

	It's good to get started on a beautiful day!		Miss Betty getting ready!		You never know what these two are up to!?
You can be sure of of this, Dewayne Hodges...				comes to play!
	Dewayne rests up before taking the stage!		The crowd gathers for the show		We're ready!
Hodge and Mary are ready.. Hey ED!					Ready to enjoy a great show!
	Did you get your ticket yet?		Get your CDs here		aaaawwwww shucks,,
	I'm getting popcorn and a root beer float and....		Our backporch has great hot dogs and good coffee!!!		you know, I just love to come up here for good music and friends!

Hey Gloria!

We had to come see Dewayne!

We'll be right here at the frontporch!

Pictures from the Rena Wren Show Sept 10th
 

	Rena Wren and Roxy Lynn opened the show!		Roxy Lynn! Thanks!!		Rena brought a smaller version of the Band
Dave Bishop provided the beat			Rodgey Roach on the Bass Rena on guitar Roxy on Viola
	Rena had CDs for sale!		John appears to be sleeping at the wheel...		Rodgey's biggest best fans!
	Roger & Sherri came early for the best seats!		George & Suzette from Fordyce!		Glenwood Gals! great to see you...
Ed came over from Hot Springs Hey Ed!			The little folk like it close to the ground!		It's a dance we learned! It's called the swingnspin!
	Reminds me of a Picnic...			These Hot Dogs are So Good!

I've seen this beautiful gal here before! Hey Rena			Break time is time to visit!		Grasshoppers! Bait! Lets go fishin!
	I'm so glad it's not 100 degrees!		How much for the Possum?	Until next week...

A few pictures from The Prairie Grove Band Sept 3rd
 

	The Prairie Grove Band		Mark hiding from the Sun! Made in the Shade		Doyle Rowland in his new hat
Big John Turk always smilin'			Bob Anderson pedalin!		Joe carmack was all ears while John said a few words...
	John had a few more words...		as the crowd grew...
Miss Betty sets up the store! Charles smilin'		Tim, Freddie & Phyllis chatting about the weather		these folks just enjoying it all!
	more folks on the side...		we're here for a Rootbeer Float!	Y'all come back Seeya next weekend!

The Ouachita River Ramblers August 27th
 

The Day was absolutely Beautiful		Al Crawford and Mignon from Atlanta			The real power behind the Ramblers
	So, when Jerry comes around with the camera, you grab it!		What key is that? Let's ask Dan or Al...		It's this'n right here Right Danny?
And when they take it to the stage..it's right			Man, it's Hot... How Hot is it?		I wasn't standing in the rain, this is my sweat! It's hot up here!
	Kinda fuzzy... Jerry's sure happy...			If I stand back here, I can keep my eyes in the shade!
Get Your Ramblers Cd right here~!~		Up The Creek The 1st from the Ramblers!		Lets get this party started!
	We had three of our wannabees with us...				Tressa Howard Liz Aikens Barbara Hulsey all got potential!!
	View over Danny's shoulder		I love the Ramblers! So do I..		so do we!

		Old Friends get together ...New ones too!!		Break time is time to visit!
The Royal Scepter in good hands...					Until Next Week Y'all Come back and visit us!!

Arkansas Trainwreck
 

	We sure enjoyed having a trainwreck in Mt Ida!		Big A & John getting the stage all set...		Richard, Al and Memphis Mere
Fill this space with music lovers			Getting it all ready is part of our day...		and who might these happy folks be...find out next week!
	A few of our crowd...		Yes, for years I was trapped and the Hokey Pokey was what it was all about		Texas will never be the same, Possums taking over. Babies love the porch too!!
Some of our canine friends...					All well behaved and music lovers too!
	Banjo Mike Mandolin Dan Johnny Bass		The Crowd Gathers as the clouds move on by...		Break time is always a good time to visit with new friends

Robert Cavanaugh took this shot...share your shots with us!

The Ouachita River Ramblers July 30th
 

	The Jam was pretty Lonely It was Hot...		In Fact there's nobody here...		John came by for a quick visit...
The Ramblers showed up...			So they just jammed to get warmed up!
			That's right we were here in this exact spot		That's right, room to be really comfortable!
	Doug Dumont Potentate Emeritus! Hail!		I just glue'm to the pipe...!!!			See that smile!
Thanks! Our friends at the wayback there...			And Way Up Here...		It was hot up there on stage!
		I just can't make up my mind...		Joyce was enjoying the grandkids...		Jerry was enjoying the tune
	Singin' with Our Granpa Jerry		sometimes the light gets funny		Thanks Win for helpin... See y'all next weekend!!!

Often Runnin On the porch July 23rd

Banjo Jam with Bruce... he gets the smallest jam award				Often Runnin on the porch
	They Found the AC for a few minutes...	Then a little practice outside
Great Tunes!					Good Crowd!
	A little campaigning for Possum Queen				future Possum Queens???
And we brought them girls over here...					We came from Wisconsin and it's hot there too!
	From Miss Betty's point of view...			These are the best nachos!!! I'll get ice cream later...
Just a blanket or a chair is all you need...		Come see us for a show, have some nachos			Seeya Next Weekend...

The Hartley Family Bluegrass Show!

The Jam,
	I get to unload the truck! Just Kidding!		Tuning! Makes for better music...
			Hartley FamilyBluegrass
Abbi plays that guitar and sings!	Daniel on the fiddle...	Debbie (MoM) bass and vocals!	Micah at 8 playing Banjo! And also plays a few licks on that fiddle too!
	It was a great day for bluegrass				Warm with a nice breeze and good music!
All of these folks came from Germany!			Josai on Mandolin Anna writes the songs!		Abbi really plays the guitar!
	Break time is time to visit				Great Fun and good music...

Pictures  from The 106th Army Band Show
 

	It takes an Army			working together
Unload the gear		and there's a lot of gear		but it comes together
	glad to be here!			Arkansas' 106th Army Band
Bob's Food City sent them a cool treat			And they all enjoyed the Watermelon!		Made in the Shade!
	and that's where we find John!		And Vern NOTP Brother		Dart  and Tim just hangin' out
Shade Seekers on a warm but breezy day!				Just about ready to play ...
	And Man how they Played
How about a little Jazz?!		We can do that for you!			OH Yeah!
Man, Sarge can SIng...				Thanks Everyone Seeya Next Week

Pictures  from The Prairie Grove Band
 

	A Stage full of Prairie Grove!		And a lawn full of good folks		Look! maybe we can hitcha ride to California!
The Prairie Grove Band		Doyle was having a great time!		Jason was glad to be back where there isn't a fire!
	Terry had a breeze at his back		Bob Anderson had the pedal singing!		Joe! Whaddayaknow?
	Big John Turk in the left corner... Big White Hat!		Dart Wants to know why he's always in the sun? He's cool with it...		Mae says that Stilwell could use a frontporch!
You never know who you might run into here!			We got the shade and we're keepin' it....		Layla, Dad George and Randi had a great time! hi Heidi!
	Yep, my Grandaughter		We could move right up there...		Smile! you're on the Mt Ida Camera..
	You can't see me Can You?		Yep, we're hangin' out in Mt Ida!		This Roadkill Spread is going home with me!
	Helping out with our Shameless Commerce Charles Wood		Yeah, it's good to be home... Jerry Lambert is also a sometimes Keyboard guy.		Ashworths, Carters and McCools well represented today!
Look guys, we're gonna be on a website!			We're happy to be here...
		Miss Betty runs The Possum Store real good!		Watch out LD, that Bella dog is a trained killer!
Yep, we're stickin with the cold stuff today				Popcorn Anyone!
	What a great day...nice breeze good Music...				Bye Y'all Come back next weekend we'll do it again!

Ouachita River Ramblers Show from June 25th
 

	The Hamner Girls opened our show with some gospel		The Ouachita River Ramblers
Jerry Robertson Guitar & Vocals		Terry McClardy Guitar & vocals		Danny Williams Mandolin & vocals
	All Crawford on the Bass and Jokes		Don Knowles on the Banjo and vocals...
	Cayden Knowles Perfect pitch Perfect Time			He wants a banjo! he's blind but what a spirit...
Photo credit to Tim for a few of these photos		Get Your Root Beer Float right here!
		Let me get that for you...it's right here in my purse!			New friends...you just never know who you will meet....
John and a friend from Iowa, now from Oklahoma		Our shameless commerce goes on...		Stay out of my way...i'm doing good thins here!
	Donna Jones trying to hide from my camera...		Hey Bud! Hey Donna!
	Good Times with our friends on the lawn in Mt Ida		This is Bain and he's a handful... and under the bush, look close
	Break time is when the visiting is just the best!		Seeya Next Week!

From Our Shady Grove Show
Still trying to download pics from the concert band....

Shady Grove! Photos by T.Qualls on his phone		Diann & Thomas Glover and Erika Hitt		Erika Got married last weekend!
These girls had themselves a lttle square dance!				Our good friend Redmond Keisler stopped by!
	Our Possum Store (shameless commerce)				Jerry & John are scheming as usual!
	Little kids and babies love the Frontporch			All the way from Chicago! SEEY'ALL

Our June 11th Acousticatz Show was rained out.

Pictures from the Prairie Grove show!
 

	Ralph can play that Harp! Wes and Terry agree		Love the Jam! Hey Pam!		And of course we like doggies
Big Bill with Kohl...he's a real picker for sure				She's eight and we can't wait! And she can sing!
	Barbara brought Jethrow BoDean But.....			Jethrow turns out to be Jethrine....OOPS
A beautiful day to be on the porch		It was pretty warm at showtime!			The Prairie Grove Band
	Bob Anderson on peddle steel! Terry Kinsey on Drums			John Turk on Bass Joe Carmack lead guitar
Mark Willborg Acoustic and vocals			Doyle Rowland with his new Telecaster!	Dart (Travis) Stapp on the banjo and guitar
			Folks come from everywhere to visit the porch Californians!		Barb & Dennis Pennsylvanians until they got the RV...
	I'm Shrinking as I get Older!		Visiting during the break is part of what makes the Frontporch a great place to be on Saturday!		Mike, I think the pink is your color...NOT
Sunset in Mt Ida			Secret Agent #8 with his escort
	These two are up to no good... I can tell...		Anywhere is a good spot when it's shady!
About to become relatives Congratulations!			Already related Hello John!
	As the evening comes to an end		Thanks again for coming		Good Night Mt Ida, Lets go find the cool!

Pictures from Good Ol Days
 

	It starts early on Friday as the vendors arrive			Earlybirds from Mena!
	The audience for Good Ol Gospel grow slowly		We get the stage ready for our first show		The Canaanland Vocal Band
The Canaanland Vocal Band from Mena, Arkansas
		Our second show was a little bluegrass			Bob Dowdy and Mountain Bluegrass
	Katie Beth the newest member			and she can sing!
		getting to visit is a big part of the Frontporch!
	Level Ground is one of the finest!		From the Benton Bryant Area!		Great Gospel!
					Two Possum Queens enjoy the show...

Saturday, Good Ol Days

	The Crowd grows for the early show			John Talley and Rusty Bobwar
Greg Batterton, the man who invented fun		John Talley is our resident song writer and all around good guy!		Mike Adams pickin' & grinnin'
		It gets crowded around all the vendors!		Everybody was looking for a shady spot!
	A great time to visit on the lawn		Get Your possums!
Motorcycles, Hotrods !			Now when I drop my arms!		Not really sure what this means
	Megan came from Oklahoma to get this shirt!			Nice to just sit for a while
Steve Johnson has played every memorial day!		This year was Robins first time!She was great!
	We're hanging out waiting for the show!		John, you need to catch a few more possums...		Vote for me!
A couple of Wannabees Liz & Donna			Running for Possum Queen is serious business NOT!		These fellers took good care of things during the day!
	Gary Fox saved the day on Friday! Thanks and thanks for what you do!		Our Pal Vern was out to have a good time!		Visiting Mt Ida is always fun!
We have all kinds of fans come out for shows		We have some great fans... I love bluegrass!
	The Cook Mountain Boys were a hit!
	A great bluegrass set...Thanks a Bunch!		Family fun!		These girls love the Frontporch! Future Possum Queens All
	The Ouachita River Ramblers were hot!		We Play Bluegrass!

	Thanks for playing for us!			The Frontporch Stage, Mt Ida Good Ol Days!
			Stick a fork in it...we're done... Thanks & Good Night

It's all Happenstance!
Turned out to be a beautiful evening...
 

		It gets started when we get started		They wouldn't be talking to each other??????????
definately happenstance	Setting up the Possum Store Get your Possum Here!!!	the backporch kitchen gets started...Get your Popcorn	It's getting the stage set...	Runnin into a friend or two...
Brook, Dan & Doug Happenstance!
				John jr and Doug worked together hadn't seen each other for 7 years
	John jr and Brook went to college together, hadn't seen each other for 20 years...		Our volunteers Dakota & Abby		See Y'all

No Tellin' What you might find...this all happened Saturday at the Dewayne Hodges Show
Pictures from May 14th 2011

	So just how many possums do we have???				Teddy Bear sees a possum sull-up
This is the new official handshake		This kind of stuff couldn't happen just anywhere...

	The Jam got started a little early and they took shelter from the wind
Dorothy showin' off her new guitar!			Clyde, Terry and Bruce on the Bango

Our 2011 season kicked off with a great afternoon jam followed by an
incredible show by The Prairie Grove Band!

	Terry & G W Jammin'		Clyde & Dorothy		Lucky Donohoo
Mark demonstrates his phone prowess			Tim says he thinks he's got it now		Getting set up is the hardest part
Carol is PGB's best fan!			These fellers have little on their minds...	You do get choice seating if you come early!!
	John getting some good advice		Hey Ladies!		Queen Lynn!
	The crowd grows..		Charles Wood and our Miss Betty	Vern and Barbara have a great spot!
The Prairie Grove Band	On the porch	Dart and Joe	Big John!	Joe Carmack	Terry Kinsey
	Mark Willborg leads the band and is really enjoying his retirement...	Doyle Rowland		The Cheap seats...
	Our frontporch folks enjoy the evening!		The porch after the sun goes down...	Jane, Johnette and Ty servin' it up for you!