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From Sandstone Minnesota...
MIDWEST COUNTY
Sandstone, Minnesota is not exactly the nation’s
entertainment capital. But, for many traditional
country music fans it's a place they come to enjoy
country music, the way it was in years gone by. Almost
every weekend the stage lights up and the cameas roll,
the theater is filled with the aroma of freshly popped
popcorn, and people line up to yet another country
show.
The theater at 309 Commercial Ave, Sandstone
population 2000 opened in 1997 as a former movie
theater. The building was built in 1921 in the days of
sandstone’s mining and railroad industry. It first opened
as an opera house and the in the 1930’s was converted
to a movie theater.
Joe Jensen 61, wife Kathy along with their son Jeff
bought the theater in 1997. Jensen was a TV repair
shop owner and had been producing a television show on the Twin Cities channel 23 in the early 90’s. The
show was recorded in the TV shop, ballrooms, and
highschools.
The Theater is a smoke & alcohol free environment
where Grand Ole Opry and Nashville artist perform
such as Connie Smith, Kitty Wells, Stonewall Jackson,
Hank Thompson, and David Frizzell to mention just a
few.
Also local and regional artist from Minnesota Sherwin
Linton, Connie Lee, and Branson artists Tommy &
Debbie Horton, Ronnie Prophet, and Entertainers
from just about anywhere will appear on Midwest
Country’s Stage.
Midwest Country has its own house band; Leroy
Glazier, Joe Savage, Dehl Gallagher, and Brad Heck.
The band backs a host of local, regional, and very often national artist. The theater has its own in house lights,
sound, and television production headed by Jeff Jensen.
The show has been airing on RFD, for about a year
with excellent response by our audience. It is amazing
to pick up the telephone and hearing people from
Florida and California and anywhere and everywhere in
the country tell you they enjoy what your doing.
Our philosophy at Midwest Country is very simple,
“We love Old Country and Bluegrass music. We
believe this music played a very important and positive
part in the influence on our culture. And it’s something
America has to be proud of. Even though Country
Music today is enjoyed in nations around the world it
was born and flourished in America.”
We know that change must come but, it's important for
any people to not let go or lose something that helped
to influence them for good. I believe that the Grand
Ole Opry and its many artists such as Johnny Cash,
Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Jean Shepard and a host
of others; and the song writers and publishers have
given something very good to our culture and our
nation and the world. It would be a shame if it were to
be lost forever.
In an age when traditional country music is fading in
the entertainment arena. Midwest Country allows so
many excellent and accomplished entertainers a venue
where they can be seen and heard.
Midwest Country has in its video library about 400,
country artist that have appeared at Midwest Country
over the years. Most of them are not household names,
but many have unbelievable talent. We will always be
grateful for the honor and privilege afforded us, from
the kind people at RFD TV for airing our TV show.
We would like to express our gratitude for so many
artists and entertainers for their spirit of cooperation;
and also to the viewers and the multitude of e-mails,
phone calls, and letters. From all of us at Midwest
Country thank you.
Please contact us at:
Midwest Country
309 Commercial Avenue
PO Box 69
Hinkley, MN
55037
320-245-2429
www.midwestcountry.com
midwestcountry@worldnet.att.net |
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Training Mules And Donkeys |
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