The second annual Gary Floater (www.garyfloater.com) Holiday High Ball will take place tomorrow night (Sunday) at 7pm at Cheatham Street Warehouse. Floater is expected to attend, unlike last year when he was unable to attend as he was held by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in an investigation related to the molestation of an endangered migratory bird. The event is once again a fundraiser for the Hays County Food Bank, and admission is either a food or cash donation to the food bank.
Once again tacky holiday sweaters are encouraged at this event, which will be attended by many of Floater's friends and ex-wives. Last year's show was a rousing success, and was immortalized by the "You Had to be There- Gary Floater Live DVD", available on youtube. Many of Gary's songwriting friends will be playing, including Carlos Perkins, Skeet Duggan, Brandon Wayne Adkins (who will probably emcee), Cornhill Jackson Johnsongrass, Gary's third wife and ex-singing partner Lacy Lakeview, Floater's roadie and junior high English teacher Waller Tomball , producer Flip Dickerson, and Anita Feelgood. There is always the chance that other compatriot's and followers may attend.
Exactly who is Gary Floater, and why does he rate a Holiday special at the historic Cheatham St? Well, as Kent Finlay puts it, "he was one of the best Nashville Pop Country songwriters of all time. He wrote classics like "Y'all Watch This". Without Gary, there would be no Toby Keith. He was simply ahead of his time." Gary is recognized as the second best songwriter to come out of Miami, Missouri, no small achievement. As I once described his songs in an interview "He was the Toby Keith of his time, but never wrote anything as awful as "Red Solo Cup". His songs will live on in infamy".
Floater and his friends are expected to play many of Floater's greatest hits, which are available on the two tribute albums that have been released "A Hero Never Learns" and "Floater Rising". Both cds can be purchased at the show, or through Itunes. Some of the classic songs expected include "Y'all watch this", "The Dirty South", "That's When the eagle screams", "Stand back boys I'm fixing to care", and the unforgettable "Pull over I want to eat that." They will also play some of Gary's Holiday hits, like "Who's Child is This?"and "Walking in a White,White Christmas".
Come out to Cheatham Street Sunday night for an unforgettable night of classic feel bad country songs performed by some of the best of the 80's and 90's pop country icons. As a review of last year's show put it " As the show closed, I was deeply moved. To see so much wasted talent in one room was truly stunning.The gig was a benefit for Hays County Food Bank, and Holiday High attendees donated more than 90 pounds of canned and packaged food as admission to the show.The donation to the food bank means that some good came out of Gary's music for the first time ever- and that is a Christmas miracle."
Personally, I hope Gary makes it this year, as I would love to finally meet this legendary songwriter. I'd also love to see him perform my favorite Floater song "It's High Time This Old Cowboy Quit Getting So Goldanged High" . Either way, a great time is guaranteed.
This article is written to help raise money for a good cause, the Hays County Food Bank.
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