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Pictures of - New Years "2009", Anchor In, North Platte, Nebraska

Getting to Know US

Shermie Wiehe "Mr. 88" - Pianist & Singer - Guitarist since 1965 - Email

Born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1952.

Began playing music as a boy of eight years taking piano lessons for 8 years and continuing his education at the keys by learning new music, teaching himself to play by ear that allows him to be very creative at the keys.  Shermie was in many music contests in his learning years locally in Kansas City, performing drums and piano in Junior/High School bands, performing 3 years annually at the Kansas State Music Contest at Kansas University on both piano and drums.  Shermie performed weekly as a teenager playing drums for local bands in Kansas City along with playing piano at local bars for tips.  Shermie performed on several occasions for the Kansas State Senate  and played monthly for the Kansas Agriculture Hall of Fame with Dean Brooks and the Rhythm Makers.  Shermie played piano for Dean Brooks and the Rhythm Makers throughout easter Kansas for large audiences in raising funds for Children Benefits.  After departing Kansas City in 1972 for an overseas assignment in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein Missile Range, working for a high-tech contractor as a  telemetry technician, Shermie continued to entertain for the next 23 years for VIPs performing for hundreds of parties/dances along with playing for the following:  President of Micronesia, King Kabua Family, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia president/staff, Majuro, Marshall Islands for a church benefit parade/party, an Army 4-Star General and many VIPs who visited the islands of Micronesia.  Shermie has had many bands over the years he formed, for the most part, "Shermie & Friends" that entertained the islands of Micronesia for many years.  In 1997, Shermie departed for a work assignment with Raytheon and then followed by Intel in the Boston, MA area.  He performed weekly at the well-known Old Timer, Clinton, MA for nearly 7 years, along with performances at the famous historical Concord's Colonial Inn, Concord, MA.  Shermie played for parties that included names such as:  Dave Thomas, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

After eight years of employment in the Massachusetts area, Shermie was relocated by Intel to Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Shermie piano work gain him credibility to perform at the Broadmoor Hotel where he became a weekly performer at the famous piano bar, The Golden Bee. along with playing for private parties and playing at the golf course.  During the three years living in Colorado Springs, Shermie played for many local retirement communities, business parties and a benefit party hosted by Al Wilson of the Denver Bronco's

After three years in Colorado Springs, Shermie relocated to North Platte, NE where he is now employed as an electrician for Union Pacific at Bailey Yard in North Platte, NE.  Shermie performs weekly at the Moose Lodge and with the group Sun Down in North Platte, NE, among entertaining at many other town activities throughout the year, including Nebraskaland Days and Railfest.  Shermie has teamed up with musicians Kim Koch of North Platte, NE and Richard Johnson of Goodland, Kansas.  The Pair of Aces plan on performing for many years to come throughout the local areas of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado areas.

Kim Koch, "The DR_xUM  DOCTOR_x" - Drummer & Singer, Drummer since 1965 - Email

Born:  Hershey, Nebraska May 29, 1952. Grew up on a farm / ranch southwest of Hershey.

School: Graduated from Hershey Public Schools, Class of 1970.
Won the John Phillip Sousa music award as a freshman and was co-winner as a senior. Played in the Hershey School Band from 5th through 12th grade, (they were short on drummers) In 5th grade, all the school had were the old field marching drums, and I had to stand on a milk crate in order to be tall enough to play it.

1967:  Got my first "REAL" drum kit at age 14 from the Sears & Roebuck Catalog. The first band I played in, along with school mates Ken Odean, Art Hernandez, Ron Fleecs, and Tim Cooper was "The Panics". Our first gig was a teen dance at the Sutherland Legion Hall where we each got paid $20.00 cash! That was BIG MONEY to a bunch of kids back then. Also played in the Hershey School Orchestra and Pep Band during Jr. High & High School.

Post Graduation:  2 1/2 years of college at North Platte Jr. College, (now known as Mid Plains Community College). I was the drummer for the college pep band and drummer / vocalist for the college touring group, "The Knights & Ladies".

Post College:  Worked as a menswear & shoe salesman for J. M. McDonalds Dept. Store (later renamed Herberger's), Hirschfeld's Clothing, Mr. 8-Track, (home electronics, LP records, & 8 track tapes). Yes, they did have "vinyl" back then.
Started work with The Nebraska Dept. of Roads in July of 1978 as a Materials & Research Technician and am still there today, 32 years and counting.

Family:  Married in July of 1974 to present. I didn't tell my future wife until after we were engaged, "Oh, by the way, I play drums" as I was hauling in a drum kit, Today, she's my Head Roadie & CEO, (Carry Everything Out).  My only child, (daughter Wendy) is grown and married with 3 children and lives close by so Grandma & Grandpa get to see and spoil them often. I hope to pass on my drumming skills to all three of them in the future.
 

February 9, 1964......the seed was sown.  It was a Sunday night.  A black & white TV,  The “Ed Sullivan Show”

I saw The Beatles for the very first time and this boy of 12 knew then and there what he was destined to become....a DRUMMER.  Ringo Starr became my idol and the rest is history.

Fast forward 46+ years, and I’m still behind “a kit” doing what I love and having a blast doing it.  I’ve played all types of music over the years covering the whole musical spectrum; 60’s Rock & Roll, Top 40 Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz, Big Band Swing, Western Swing, Classic Country, and Modern Country.  I have played for many different groups such as “The Panics” (1^st band in Jr. High), “City Limits”, “Fable”, “The River City Band” “The Centennials”, Something Country”, Cimmaron”, “The Country Gentlemen”, Midnight Flyer”, “Frankie & The Fossils”, “The Ezra Jaynz Band”, “Ezra Janes”, “Lincoln Highway”, and most recently, “Grass Fire”.

I’ve owned 7 different drum kits over the years.

The DR_xUM  DOCTOR_{x
North Platte, NE}
Repairs, Restorations & Refurbishing of all drums; snares to complete kits
Drummer since 1964 - Email Kim

The current inventory stands at 3; Tama Limited Edition Superstars, Ludwig Mahogany Accent Customs and a set of restored 1975 Ludwig Vistalites.  My 4 year old grandson also has his own real drum kit, (custom tweaked by Grandpa) set up in my garage. I hope to pass on my passion for music and the drums to all three of my grandkids, (much to the chagrin of their parents).

Now begins a new chapter in my life as a drummer;  “Pair of Aces”

Richard Johnson, "Rico - The MADD Hatter" - Lead Guitarist & Singer - Guitarist since 1965 - Email

Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1954.

Began playing music as a boy of seven years taking piano lessons moving on the to mandolin at age 9. He appeared on a syndicated television show, “The Kraft Variety Hour”, at age 11 featured with the Borden Family Band playing the mandolin and tap dancing. He picked up the guitar at age 11 by watching and listening to others play. He then went on to work with the former bluegrass/country music star Rose Mattix during his high school years playing at barn dances, parties, and club appearances. While working with Rose he got his first taste of the recording industry helping to finish her life’s work, her last album playing rhythm guitar and singing back up vocals.

From there he went on to play with various different bands eventually forming his first band with Donnie Mattix, Rose’s son. The band was known for pioneering rockabilly music in the 70’s and was picked up by a minor label and playing various clubs all over the pacific northwest. While working with Rosie and Donnie he played at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood seven nights a week where he met many stars. He played for a short while in Winnemucca, Nevada with the Mattie Brothers Band, where he came into contact with Waylon Jennings. In 1972 he played on the top floor of the Cosmopolitan with the Gold Dust Trio, featuring Bob White, a very accomplished piano player who also played left handed key bass.

Richard went to college at Portland State University playing his way through college with music as a minor. In 1974 he was in Oklahoma doing his laundry in the laundry mat playing his guitar when he met Mae Axton, mother of Hoyt Axton. She invited him to Hoyt’s birthday party and thus began a lifelong relationship of singing, playing and songwriting that moved him to Nashville where he eventually went to work for the Brentwood Agency.

While working for the Brentwood Agency he worked in the studio’s with the up and coming artists during the winter months and then went out on tour doing fair and rodeo shows with the Brentwood catalog of artists during the summer months for approximately 25 years. His job was to oversee the road operation, hiring and firing the sound and lighting crews, back-up musicians, handling payroll, and filling in when someone couldn’t make it for their assigned job, playing and singing back ups when necessary.

This job took him all over the US and overseas as well. He worked in Europe, the UK, France and Germany with Hoyt Axton, Japan with Mel McDaniels, along with many, many others. He played in places such as the Pioneer Auditorium in Reno, The Virginia Wheel and the “A” lounge at the Showboat in Vegas, as well as the grand opening of the MGM. He worked at the Pines Club in Anchorage Alaska with Emmy Lou Harris doing two shows a night on Friday and Saturday night then moving on to work with Lee Greenwood. He was then in line to work with Hank Williams, Jr. He also worked at the Chilcoot Charlie’s club in Anchorage, Alaska with the Kickin’ Mule band for a while.

Early in his career he had the good fortune to come across Gate mouth Brown who made a lasting impression on him when inviting him to sit in on a jam session one night. Some of the other musicians and groups he has performed with are the Paul DeLey Blues Band in the mid 70’s, The Dennis Brother’s band, the Robert Cray Band - Montana, Tower of Power, Carmen Appice & Stanley Clark. He also played at the Columbia River Music Festival

His career also took him into co-writing songs with Hoyt Axton as well as Louis Bond - a famous Nashville songwriter. Another artist he worked with was Gene Watson. He also worked with Lee Greenwood and son for two years.

In 1992, Brentwood was sold to Sony and he was repositioned to Brentwood’s general manager. He eventually quit this position to work with Hoyt Axton to finish his album “Spin Of The Wheel”. His last performance with the Brentwood Agency was with Chad Brock for Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming in the early 90’s.

He then bought into a music store in Masoula, Montana called the Stringed Instrument Division while also playing in Branson Missouri from time to time. While in Masoula, he played in various night clubs and hot spots around the area forming the Drivin’ Sideways Band and playing with various other bands as well.

He is currently playing with the Pieces of Eight Band, a country rock band. He is also plays with Shermie Wiehe (pianist) in North Platte, NE and trying to enjoy semi-retirement.

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