Pioneer Day in Nicodemus

Annual Pioneer Day Features Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour Interview Series: Announcing the Newly Formed Band, “Butch Creek” ~ Interviews with Chris Farrell and Chris Gansel at the park in Nicodemus. ~ Written by Robin Hardman CHRIS FARRELL Chris Farrell from Hill City shared that his introduction to music was in elementary school, 5th Grade, in Mr. Warren Stafford’s band class when he tried out to be a Drummer. That began his musical venture. Chris was influenced by 80s music and like one of his music idols, Eddie Van Halen, he progressed from drums to guitar. He bought a Sears, Roebuck and Company guitar and amplifier and started playing music he was listening to on cassette tapes and the radio. During high school Chris played in several "garage bands" with classmates and friends. His biggest performance and claim to fame is when he played drums in front of thousands and thousands of people at the Air Force Academy football stadium in Colorado Springs. A select number of Hill City High School marching band members was granted the opportunity to play and entertain at the Air Force Academy on Band Day during halftime at a football game. During Chris’ 30 year stay in Denver, at times he played with a hole in the band that consisted of friends and co-workers. But primarily he played at open mic nights as a one man band in the Denver Metro area. Chris moved back to Hill City in 2022 and connected with Chris Gansel and the guys. Chris said that he likes playing both drums and guitar equally but his instrument of choice is the guitar. Currently Mr. Farrell is playing in the newly formed band, “Butch Creek”. The Butch Creek band gets its name in honoring Butch Owen. The band was put together based on the “Open Mic Night” at Mikkelson's Tavern. The origination of the band came together by the guys who have been dedicated to helping setup, practice and play for open mic night. The band’s music style is Classic Rock, Country, Blues and Alternative. The “Butch Creek” band members are Chris Farrell, Chris Gansel, Fred Owen, Jeramy Owen, Eric "Dok" Nevins and Rex Striggow. Butch Creek is the “make shift house band” for Mikkelson’s Tavern “Open Mic Night” and they also play at other events. Farrell became acquainted with the Nicodemus Bike Tour through Karla Bates-Adams. Both were participants of Leadership Graham County and serve on the Graham County Travel and Tourism Development Committee. Chris said this is a beautiful time of year to ride a bike in the quiet countryside, see wildlife, fall colors and appreciate our area. He added that this event will also provide the opportunity to reflect on the importance of community, what this area represents and what the founders of Nicodemus went through and found in this settlement. CHRIS GANSEL Chris Gansel also from Hill City had an early introduction which formed his love of music. Chris' mother, Kathy played piano in a bar band in Idaho to help support herself while in college and prior to marrying and moving to Hill City. For a few times in the early 60s she played keyboard with a local band. Chris learned a "little" piano from his mom but states his true love became the guitar. His older brother, Steve bought a guitar and took lessons. When he wasn’t playing it Chris would pick it up and mess around with it. Chris said his instrument of choice is the guitar. After Chris’ junior year of high school, his brother Steve, Jody Pembleton and Tyce Bruton were trying to form a band and needed a bass player but couldn’t find one. Chris agreed to play bass and bought a $50.00 used bass guitar. In the summer 1979 the band Legend played four dances. Chris along with his brother played in several "garage bands" each summer until he was out of college. During the summer they would form a band and then break up during the school year. In 1985 Chris and his brother moved to Nashville, TN with the thought of becoming song writers. They had three songs published but none made it onto a record. In Nashville they played in the bands Starwood and Souvenirs. Chris got married in 1987 and played until the early 90s when his daughter was born. His family then moved back to Hill City. He started playing with a “folk” group in church twice a month. After meeting Todd Toman they put together the band “Country Highway” which played classic country & rock, current country songs and some bluegrass music. In 2008 when Country Highway was just starting Chris and the band played for his parent’s (Kathy and Frank) 50th anniversary. Unfortunately, his brother Steve was not able to be there. Now, Mr. Gansel is playing in the newly formed band, “Butch Creek”. Chris became aware of the Nicodemus Bike Tour through fellow band member Chris Farrell. Gansel said that promoting this event is a natural fit for him with his position as Director of Graham County Recreation Commission (GCRC). He added that the history of Nicodemus is a very important part of the history in our area. He’s encouraging people to get out, get some fresh air and get acquainted or re-acquainted with a real important part of the history in this area. When asked for further comment regarding this event, Mr Gansel stated, "In our current political climate and the fact that it is an election year, we are being bombarded from all sides. Race is still a thing: you can't deny it. Much of the intensity and volume of injustice that you see elsewhere didn't seem to be as prevalent in our county, but the black community in our area had to feel some racial tension". This event continues to break through all types of boundaries.” In Chris’ final statement he said, this is a chance to get out in our area, enjoy nature, our surroundings and also be aware of what freedom is really worth. Chris and the band members of Butch Creek host an open mic night at Mikkelson’s Tavern on the second Saturday of each month. Everyone who wants to sing and play music is welcome. Come Join Us! They are also playing during the Inaugural Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour taking place on this Saturday, October 12, 2024. The band will start playing in the park around 11:30 AM. The Nicodemus Historical Society invites your entire family including the kids to bring your bikes and ride a FREE shorter route that will take you on a tour around the historic town of Nicodemus to various silhouettes, historic building sites and a few of the historic tour signs. Starting at 8:00 AM come for the free pancake breakfast sponsored by Kansas Black Farmers Association. Share a day of community history, fun and delicious food by RC RubGrub BBQ of Glade. At 11:30 AM listen to live music performed by Graham County’s local band, Butch Creek. A free showing of the documentary which illustrates the first settlers arriving in Nicodemus, “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus" will be featured on the big screen at 2:30 PM in the Visitor's Center. The day is expected to be great fun. Whether you participate in the bike tour or not everyone is welcome to discover the rich history and learn about one of the nation's most iconic African American national sites in the West, Nicodemus (Nicodemus National Historic Site). To learn more about the ride and our history follow us here on Facebook. Interested riders should register via the Nicodemus Historical Society’s website at: https://www.nicodemushistoricalsociety.org/.../nicodemus... #Nicodemus, #NicodemusTownshipHistoryTrial, #nicodemusbikeride, #NicodemusEvents, #thingstodoinNicodemus, #smalltownevents, #bikeride, #biker, #historickansastrail, #nicodemushistoricalsociety No insights to show