Fellow Jazzers! Most of us take for granted the musicians we have every month. Most of them have not only given countless hours of practice, but years and years of playing to get the expertise they have.

Ron McGehee started playing the clarinet by the third grade and played in school bands through grammar and high schools; he taught himself the sax! His first professional job was while he was a high school freshman. Ron’s interest in Dixieland came alive while in Jr. College in Modesto while playing at parties and dances.

In 1986, the NIGHT HAWKS were invited to our first Redding Jazz Festival. Of course, the line up was different then, as follows: Roy Street (banjo-guitar), Leader, Charlotte Roe (piano), Ted Owens (drums), Gene Rother (sax-piano), Ron McGehee (clarinet- sax-arranger), Joe Estes (trombone).

In the years since that first festival, Ron is now the Leader of the band, and has continued to play for many dances and parties.

Fellow Jazzers, dancers, listeners, and just plain music-lovers ... what a treat we have for this month! Ron is bringing his band for our ANNUAL JANUARY DANCE party!

With Ron leading this band ... and with his musical skill and the musicians he has now, what a party we will have!

I asked my wife to put on her “Steel-Toe” shoes and I would get up and dance, too!

So, come one - come all! We only have one SPECIAL SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE during the year. Every year, it has been a very fun kickoff for the rest of the Dixieland Concerts throughout the year !!!