Yule-Revue featured a cavalcade of talent

Sunday was the first real snowy day of the season, but it really set the tone for the Holly Daze Yule-Review at the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell. It was an all-Columbia Falls event and a showcase of young and veteran talent from the area.

The Yule-Revue was made possible primarily by the efforts of Don Lawrence. The event had been staged at the Outlaw Inn in the past, but using the large meeting room was cost-prohibitive the last couple of years. Don was elated when new management took over since last year's Yule- Revue. So it's back to using the facility at no cost.

There is no end to how impressed I am with talent in the northern Flathead Valley, especially in the performing arts, and that was magnified by Sunday's program.

The Columbians, a jazz band from Columbia Falls High School, opened the Yule-Revue. What a talented group it is. Don started the Columbians in 1959 when he was a teacher at CFHS. Led by Tom Wright, this year's Columbians earned best saxophone section honors at a festival this fall. Don asked Tom and bass fiddle player Ian Gordon to fill in when the Don Lawrence Orchestra played after the Columbians, and they were glad to oblige. Both were "sight reading" the music the orchestra played.

The students in the Columbians play together at least five days a week during the school year. Practice makes perfect, and the sounds coming from the band Sunday were exceptional. It really set the mood for the rest of the evening.

Don's orchestra, performing for nearly 50 years, played a number of snappy tunes, including big band and Christmas songs. Many of those attending the Yule-Revue didn't hesitate to fill the dance floor at the Outlaw. It was a great way to enjoy the music.

During several tunes played by the orchestra, Duke Bedford provided vocals. He was later joined by the beautiful voice of Marlene Hansen for a solo and a couple of duets.

Another highlight of the evening was an appearance by two piano player extraordinaires — David Merkel and Penni Chisholm. They teamed up on the same piano and their songs were flawless. David also went solo. I met Penni at Chisholm and Chisholm, PC, the law firm owned by Penni and her husband, Dean. I saw a table-top keyboard in Penni's office. Now I know why. It's evident that she loves to play. I met David at a Columbia Falls Lions Club meeting a couple of weeks ago. He told the story of how he started playing piano professionally at the age of 13 or 14. To make a long story shorter, David is now pastor of the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. His sing-a-long scheduled for today (Thursday) in Whitefish has been sold out for some time. Penni will be a featured pianist, and it will be quite an entertainment event.

Following David and Penni was a CFHS female vocal group, the Tres Bells. Those young ladies harmonize well and the group abounds with quality voices.

Next was a vocal performance by The Sonifers, made up of eight female and four male students at CFHS. They sang five or six songs, including several holiday favorites. Well done, Sonifers, well done.

Don's orchestra closed out the three-hour Yule-Revue with a few songs — putting a cap on the most entertaining and enlightening evening I've had in a long time. Thanks, Don, and everyone who took the time during a busy holiday season. I'll see you all soon.

Joe Sova is the managing editor of the Hungry Horse News.