LA GRANGE — The Fayette County Country Music Club will host its monthly opry on Monday, March 17, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange.
The show begins at 7 p.m., and the doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $8.
Darrel Appelt is a seasoned country music artist from Columbus, with over 40 years of experience. After many years of live band success in the dancehall and honky tonk scene and opening for many major artist, Appelt more recently took his career into the singer/songwriter/ recording artist scene. The 2019 release of his Long Time Good Time album featured the successful singles Blue Eyed Girl, My Baby Likes My Texas and Back Road. In 2021, he released his A Place to Go Album with the popular songs A Place To Go, Gruene, Texas and South Texas Beer Joint Blues. In 2024, he is having great success with his latest all-original album, Memory Lane. The new album features incredible upbeat songs with a good time honky tonk feel. With worldwide distribution, Appelt’s music is available on all platforms. He continues to write and perform live acoustic shows. Follow Darrel Appelt Music on Facebook or contact Darrel via email at darrelappelt@hotmail. com.
Kelly Hartsfield was born in Houston and has lived in the small town of Trinity most of her life. She serves her community as the Math Instructional Coach. She'll be starting her 25th year in Education this fall. She has two adult daughters who reside in Houston and Mesa, Ariz. Hartsfield has loved singing in the church all of her life. During the past 10 years, she has started singing across Texas and several other states in many opries and jamborees to help preserve Real Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel music. Hartsfield is honored and excited to perform at the Fayette County Country Music Opry for her third time this evening.
Mark Mach’s interest in music was sparked very early. His grandfather and dad enjoyed playing the guitar their entire lives. Venues included dance halls, family reunions, and family living rooms where pickers would get together and play for hours. His fondest memories are those of when he was allowed to play with his dad and others. He was also asked to play mandolin for his third-grade class. In eighth grade, Mach played guitar and bass with a group of high school seniors who had a local band. He continued playing in various bands throughout his life, including Sammy and the Midnighters out of El Campo, Dixie out of Bay City, and The Taylor Brothers Band out of Victoria. The venues he has played stretch all across south Texas, and each hall holds a different story that former band members love to talk about when reminiscing about good memories. With those bands, he had the privilege to be the opening act for many stars such as Ray Price, Asleep at the Wheel, Billie Joe Royal, Roy Head, Holly Dunn, and Steve Wariner. Country music is what Mach has enjoyed playing his whole life. He continues to play at various locations, collaborating with other performers or as his solo act, Mach One. He loves getting to work with his son Stephen, who now also plays with him and runs sound for him at these shows. Mach also stated that getting together with other pickers for unrehearsed sessions is his greatest enjoyment.
So be sure to join us on Monday, March 17 for a toe-tapping good time.
DARREL APPELT
KELLY HARTSFIELD
MARK MACH
