The Original Sensational Showmen

The Original Sensational Showmen
National Guard Armory-Concordia - 1965

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Bob Golay, keyboardist for The Sensational Showmen-Chanute, passes on Dec 21, 2015

Music was one of Bob's passions. He was a talented and respected musician for most of his life, singing and playing piano, clarinet, saxophone and bass, having taught himself to play by ear. He played in numerous bands and with many musicians. Bob co-founded the Sensational Showmen of Chanute in the late 1960s, which earned him induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2009. In 1970, Bob founded the successful regional band Fatty Lumpkin, performing all over the southeast Kansas area and beyond, including the area's infamous "Cornstalk" Music Festival. Bob played with The Heaters throughout the 1980s and 90s, and in 1999, he co-founded the popular local band Area 51. He continued to play with them until his death.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Ron Balderston, lead singer passes

Our dear talented lead singer, trumpet and keyboard player passed away January 7, 2015 at his home in Eagle, Idaho at the age of 67, after a long battle with cancer. Ron was born and raised in Clyde, Kansas and was one of the founding members of the original Sensational Showmen band from Concordia, Kanas. The band started playing in 1964 and disbanded in 1967. 2 other versions of the Sensational Showmen continued the tradition. Those groups were from Chanute and Pittsburg, Kansas. Ron was a very talented musician and vocalist. His vocals were the driving force of the band. Harmonizing with the late Larry Jackson on the top 40 songs of the 60's was a joy to hear. He will be sorely missed by his family and all his band mates. He joins Larry Jackson, our bass player and vocalist in Heaven. God speed, Ron. We all love you and will see you again one of these days.