Marsha Martin, Rebecca Williams of CableNet.Inc., Nancy Malcom and Peggy Pyle work on a television ad for the upcoming Meet Me In Missouri, Part IV musical event. --submitted photo

Nevada, Mo. -- Marsha Martin, Peggy Pyle, Terry Ramsey, Nancy Malcom and Rebecca Williams met at the Bushwhacker Museum on Tuesday evening to discuss television advertisements for the upcoming two-hour musical event, Meet Me In Missouri, Part IV that will be performed at the Fox Playhouse on Saturday, July 19, at 7 p.m., and again on Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m.

The performance is unique in that it offers music about Missouri or written, published, or originally performed by Missourians.

The original sheet music will be pictured on screen for the audience to appreciate the fine artwork. Singers will be dressed in period costumes (1868-1961) and will act out some of the songs. Sing-a-longs will be encouraged and lyrics provided to the audience.

Marsha Martin, creator and director of all four Meet Me In Missouri programs, was born and raised in Nevada and returns at least once each year to catch up with friends and for the past four years, to present a musical performance focusing on Missouri music. She now lives in Massachusetts where she stays active with teaching and performing music. She also collects antique sheet music.

"I come every summer to visit and Peggy asked if I would do a program for the Historical Society while I was here. I thought just talking about music wouldn't do and considered bringing a keyboard or something and demonstrate. Then it occurred to me, let's get other people to sing! The Community Council on the Performing Arts (CCPA) co-sponsors the event and let's us use the Fox Playhouse."

Peggy Pyle, Vernon County Historical Society member said, "Marsha graduated high school with me in 1964. She has always given back to her hometown community. While she's here each year, she performs for nursing homes and the senior center and the Methodist Church. Her son would come with her since he was a boy and play the violin. We all still consider her a resident of Nevada.'

Martin feels Nevada is where her roots are. "Lots of people here knew my Mom and my grandmother. This is a way to give back; but it's also a way of furthering values I feel are important ... like people coming together as a community and having fun together.

"It's people just spending time with friends and neighbors to hear old time songs that are fun songs. We have sing-a-long songs so people can join in." She added that the songs themselves represent important values for any community.

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"Songs that talk about people being together 50 years, friendship, loving Missouri! Lately it's not been so popular to talk about where you live, people don't have roots like they used to have. These songs are sweet and they brag about your state."

The programs are planned around song categories and this program contains at least one of the following; ragtime, World War I World War II, romantic, humorous, square dance, advertising, historical, mother and other songs the audience can sing along with.

She likes to include at least one political song. Since this is an election year, she wanted to include one about that. "The only presidential song I had was 'Hail to Eisenhower''' she said with a laugh.

"The program offers every kind of music, everyone will find something they like," Martin said.

A song is included this year from the most popular list a few years ago. "Norman" was a hit record in the early 60s sang by Sue Thompson, who was born in Nevada.

Martin said she tries to find out all she can about the composers and uses Missouri composers when she can.

"I wanted to do all Charles L. Johnson songs this year, but could only find nine and they couldn't fill all the categories."

Another composer who will be featured is James W. O'Connell, a Nevada man who wrote "It's The Closest Place to Heaven (Where The Little Shamrock Grows)." Lyrics were done by Charles L. Johnson.

This rare sheet music was donated to the Bushwhacker Museum by long-time supporters of the Vernon County Historical Society Dorothy and Joe Kraft. The song will be dedicated to them at the performance.

The Missouri Singers are all local talents. Linda Carlton, Bonnie Query, Teresa Sword, Scott Theis, Kenny Jones, John Scarborough and Tim Wells.

Terry Ramsey, coordinator for the Bushwhacker Museum feels the presentations are important to create a better appreciation and understanding of history. "Music isn't created in a vacuum; it reflects the lives of people living at the time it was written."

Martin agrees. "The lyrics of a popular song reflect people's everyday lives...people of other generations come alive and we can relate to the songs and the people who wrote them." Admission to Meet Me In Missouri is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

For more information, call the Bushwhacker Museum at (417) 667-9602.