JONI BISHOP

BRINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS

IN STYLE!

Olive Branch, MS   December 20, 2017

 

Richard and Mary's home in Olive Branch, MS

      IT TAKES MORE than a broken leg to stop JONI BISHOP! The talented Nashville, TN, artist and musician is automatically scheduled to play an annual invitation-only  Christmas house concert in Olive Branch, MS. So, several weeks before the appointed time, Joni is on a ladder at home cleaning out gutters. She falls, breaks her leg, goes into surgery, goes into rehab/physical therapy, and with the help of the host of the event, she makes it on time to the concert. That Joni is a trouper! Friends RICHARD and MARY, who host the event, figured that if Joni were feeling better and the doctor cleared her, Richard would drive to Nashville, load up Joni and her wheelchair, and bring her to Olive Branch. Following the concert, Richard took Joni and her wheelchair back to Nashville. Done! That's what friends are for!

Poinsettia and this way to the music

Joni chats with a fan

 

     The 75 or more guests were more than delighted to see and hear Joni again. It would not have been the same without her. Richard and Mary are splendid hosts who fill their home with decorations, food and beverages, and lots of carefully-placed chairs for the guests. Richard picked out a spot for a slightly-elevated stage for Joni, and after lots of visiting and chatter in the room, Joni is wheeled into place on the stage, seated in a chair, and she places the afore-mentioned leg on a beautiful red pillow. Let the games begin! Did we mention that there are red and green lights blinking and moving on the drapes, the ceiling and walls, and everywhere else? It's the spirit of the season!

 

Joni plays her cigar box banjo

Mom and child who is lighted up

     Joni Bishop doesn't just play and sing. She writes songs and gives everything a unique arrangement. She also paints,and makes instruments out of cigar boxes and anything else she can find and turn into something to make music. She displays samples of her work, along with several CDs that she has for sale.

     On this particular night, here are the songs that Joni played for the guests:  Little Drummer Boy, Endless Christmas (original), God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Soul Cake (a counterpoint arrangement), Go Tell It on the Mountain, What Child Is This / Mary Did You Know, Toys (original), Somebody's Tallkin' 'Bout Jesus (cigar box instrument), Road to Bethlehem, Good King Wenceslas, Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland, and Twelve Days of Christmas (with cue cards held up by young Parker and his friend). Pause for a brief intermission to enjoy food and spirits and chat some more.

Parker and his friend enjoying the music

Cue card girl--We needed her

 

Following the intermission, Joni resumed with Stone by Stone, Mary Had a Baby, Because of Christmas Day (drums found at the Goodwill Store), Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, We Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, Christmas in the Trenches (John McCutcheon cover), It's Gonna Be All Right, I'll Fly Away, Silent Night (sung in Latvian [family originated in Latvia] and also in English), and Joy to the World (with audience participation). Oh! It's just the grandest time ever!

     Special thanks to Joni Bishop, Richard and Mary, and everyone else who pitches in annually to make the concert great!

 

Joni performing on her guitar

 



For more information:

Joni Bishop www.jonibishop.com Facebook and other social media

Albums we love: One Wondrous Star, Threads, and Steal Away Home