Area country band still strong at 500th show

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June 13, 2011

By Jake Palmateer Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon Jun 13, 2011, 03:30 AM EDT

ONEONTA _ A Delaware County country band celebrated its 500th show Sunday by playing for a packed house at the Oneonta Elks Lodge.

Country Express has been playing classic country, mixed with modern country and a little rock for 14 years.

The 500-show milestone happened at the Tri-County Singles Club dance Sunday night.

One of their first songs was the standard "Crazy" penned by Willie Nelson and made famous by Patsy Cline.

Dozens of dancers filled the floor, including Reba and Dick Sage of Hamden. The couple has been dancing together for 57 years -- nearly a decade before Nelson wrote the ballad. They have been married for 52 years.

"This band is good," Reba Sage said as they returned to their table. "These guys are one of the best."

Dick Sage said he and his wife often hit the dance floor.

"Every week," Sage, 75, said.

His wife said they love hearing the classic country songs.

"They are excellent musicians. They are very danceable," Reba Sage, 72, said.

The group includes Rob Laing of Andes on lead guitar and vocals; Terri Whitney of Franklin on vocals; Larry Jamieson of Walton on pedal steel guitar; Ron Richards of Walton on bass guitar; and Randy Hulse of Walton on drums.

Laing, Whitney and Jamieson are founding members of the band.

During the band's first break, Laing said the group is proud to carry on the classic country tradition, but also enjoys adding in a little rock and roll.

They dress the part of country music stars and so did some audience members.

"It has a certain appeal to all generations," Laing said of country music.

But what the band really loves is seeing the crowd get up and dance, he said.

In between songs Sunday, the dance floor emptied out, but after the first few notes of the next song, the dancers came back like an incoming tide.

"It's great," Laing said.

It's seeing the dances fill up the floor that makes it worth it, according to Whitney.

"We have a ball," she said.

Walt Dorritie was slinging drinks at the Elks Lodge for the nearly 100 people who turned out for the show.

The Elks Lodge bartender said Country Express is one of the biggest draws for the Sunday night gatherings, which aren't just for singles.

"They have a good time," Dorritie said.

Country Express has a busy summer schedule that takes them from to bars, fairs, community centers, jamborees and the New York State Fair. (The band is slated to play the state fair Sept. 3.)

Laing said the band is now aiming to do another 500 shows.