Having recently witnessed the Grand Finale Concert for Johnson County’s New Harmonies celebration I must confess certain optimism for the performance arts in the Western Missouri region. “Why?” You ask.

Because I have never seen such a collection of local performers – representing so many musical genres – live and on stage and proud to just…to just…belt it out. We’ve not had a template for so many local musicians to celebrate their work before an appreciative, general audience.

I must extend congratulations to the scores of people who made the New Harmonies arts and exhibition series such a success. Chief among them was Lisa Irle, Director of the Johnson County Historical Society and curator of the Johnson County Historical museum. It was Lisa’s foresight, incessant determination and her life-long list of friends and acquaintances that made the entire series so inclusive and dynamic.

And, leaving out many others, I’d like to single out Warrensburg resident and radio show host Eddie Osborne (The Eclectic Café) who developed a weekly series of musical performances throughout the New Harmonies month and who produced the Grand Finale Concert. Eddie’s vision was also inclusive and designed to show the breadth of local talent – many usually resigned to perform only in near-empty halls and byways. Eddie’s decision to showcase The Nace Brothers gave this iconic group an opportunity to perform before a swath of the population who don’t usually hit the night spots where the group tends to perform. So, through the New Harmonies celebration and the Grand Finale Concert we all grew musically.

Because of the inspiration of Johnson County’s New Harmonies Celebration, Warrensburg’s local music scene has never had such potential as it does right now.