Getting a lift from music

Among the many people who hitched a “Lift to the Rocker” fundraiser Saturday at the Fanning 66 Outpost near Cuba, Mo., was the bluegrass musical group The Lonesome Hill Gang.

Jane Reed has the details about the group’s little performance on the World’s Largest Rocker:

The family group showed up offering to play, and owners Dan and Carolyn Sanazaro were agreeable. After setting up on the front porch of the rustic Outpost General Store, the bluegrass band entertained and sold CDs.  Before the day was over they were lifted to the rocker seat, to where they played for the appreciative crowd. According to  Carolyn Sanazaro, “The crowd really seemed to enjoy them, their bluegrass music fit right in with the store atmosphere.”

A little investigation into the background of the singing family shows that their story is very much in keeping with stories of hard times and inspiration that often followed those who traveled the road.

In an e-mail from the group, mom Paula said, “We started everything on the lonesome hill we had resided on the past six years … We made a lot of memories there, but within the early part of the year we lost our home and property due to a jobless situation, and we no longer could keep our home.  But that didn’t stop our singing together.  We are making music despite our circumstances. … We are choosing to bloom wherever we are ‘replanted.'”

Paula went on to say, “A good variety of our songs are original compositions. Many come from our experiences and the persevering through trials and making the best of any situation. We are excited and look with great anticipation on the future to see what great things God has in store for us.”

You can find more about the Lonesome Hill Gang here. Their YouTube channel is here.