Tickets for the 43rd annual Marshall County Historical Society Dinner, a musical tribute to Bill Wagoner, are on sale at the Marshall County Museum. The social hour at Christo’s Banquet Center will begin at 6 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30. After dinner, local musicians, Dave Haycraft, Mike Lintner, Randy Jones and George Schricker will share their passions for the music from the 1950’s, to the 1990’s, as they honor the contributions made by Bill Wagoner, former local rock-n-roll band member and 34-year owner of Wagoner’s Music Shop on Jefferson St. in Plymouth.
Bill Wagoner credited the longevity of his shop to the musical lessons and education. He once said, “Unless people know how to play the instruments, they’re just hunks of metal and wood sitting in the corner.” Wagoner’s shop was known as “the biggest LITTLE music store in all the land.” He did not want to be the big store. Customers returned because of the extra care and expertise he offered. His wife, Jan, performed alongside him in the band, Jan Wagoner and the Left Hand Rockers, and helped him run the shop. So many that apprenticed under Wagoner either continued to hone their skills in bands or played for relaxation and self-enjoyment. Bill Wagoner, passed away in 2011, but the imprint he left on the students he mentored at his shop will live for years to come.
The Marshall County Museum is featuring a musical themed exhibit focusing on Bill Wagoner’s music career from his 1960’s group, U.S. Male, through the 2000’s group, Jan Wagoner and the Left Hand Rockers. The exhibit showcases his personal collection of customized guitars, vintage performance costumes and local memorabilia from the 60’s and 70’s, as well as biographical pictures and explores his love of Porche cars and service to the Humane Society. An audio component of the display spotlights music from his self-produced CD, “New Rules,” made with his wife Jan in 1995.
Music is a powerful thing. It touches us in different ways. Reminisce and let the music move you on Tuesday, April 22 at the Marshall County Historical Society Annual Dinner at Christo’s Banquet Center, 830 Lincolnway East in Plymouth. Tickets for the event are $25 for members of the Historical Society, and $30 for nonmembers. Call or stop by the museum and purchase individual tickets, or reserve a table of 8. For more information call 574-926-2306 or visit the Marshall County Museum at 123 N. Michigan St. in downtown Plymouth.
