Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 113, Number 4, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 25 January 1995 — Page 3

Area band hits local airwaves

By Merrie Chapman Reporter An explosive new band has hit the hot country airwaves with straight-from-the-heart lyrics, toe-tapping music and “down home” (Nappanee) roots! Grand Army Highway put out its first album shortly before Christmas and is on its way to national recognition. The group consists of Nappanee’s own John Gaut, who sings and plays electric guitar, lead singer Joe Kibbe, Plymouth, drummer, Jerry Wiggins, Wakarusa, fiddler Gabe Martin, Arcadia, and bass guitarists Bill Harris, Culver. If you don’t recognize the group by name perhaps you were one of their fans when they played area dance halls as the Joe Kibbe Band. Or maybe you recognize the Grand Army Highway as the performers of “It’s Friday Night,” which has been playing on local airwaves for over a month. The song comes from the newly-recorded album, “Walkin’ that fine line.” The group turned to Galt Studios, Culver, as the location for the album’s production. “With this album we have finally accomplished a goal we’ve had for a long time,” says Joe Kibbe. The members combined their various talents to write eight of the 10 songs on the album. They also formed the record company, “US6 Records,” and produced the album themselves. In a day full of “good” bands with high aspirations this group had the courage to take their talents beyond'-reiTiakes land borrowed songs. “We knew we performed well together and we were just tired of playing bars and dance halls,” says John Gaut. “And we knew we could write some really great songs if we set our minds to it” adds Kibbe. If their new country star status is any indication of what is to come, the duo hit the mark with both comments. Currently the band is marketing the album locally. “We believe we have what it takes to go national,” says Gaut. “But we can’t make it anywhere if we can’t make it right here at home,” adds Kibbe. -*> The name of both their group and production company reflect their heartfelt dedication to their heritage. Both Gaut and Kibbe agreed that “the midwest is the best place on Earth to live!” and add that “it is the heart of this country.” The duo also share admiration for their roots. Kibbe was the one who came up with the band’s new name. He says there is no great tale about how he thought of it. Long before his current band came together he drove past one of the Grand Army Highway signs along US6 and said, “man that would make a great name for a band. After two and one-half years of being the Joe Kibbe band the group changed its name in time to cut its first album which even has a song titled after the famous coast-to-coast highway. The band gives many thanks to family members in the credits of their jacket cover. They also say thank you to Charlie and Hazel Daniels—who Gaut met in person last summer —for their support and encouragement. Upon meeting the couple John gave them a sample of the band’s work and Hazel Daniels later called the fan club to encourage the group to continue developing their talents. While that has been a highlight to their career, Kibbe and Gaut say more doors are opening. Grand

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Army Highway was recently asked to play at the upcoming Joe Diffie concert in South Bend. Unfortunately, the group had to turn down the opportunity because one member was scheduled for knee surgery. Though many bands would have hired a replacement for the evening this group stood together. “We’re a band” says Gaut. “And we play as a band” he adds. “It’s no big deal, there’ll be other chances,” says Kibbe sincerely. ' With their first album already out the group has not made plans to relax any time soon. They have already written six songs for their new album and plans are being made for the group’s first video. But none seem to sight the hard work as anything other than fun and doing what they love best. While Gaut credits Joe Kibbe with “coming up with the heart of the song,” we should point out that John himself co-wrote six of the titles on the new release.

FIRST ALBUM OUT—Grand Army Highway put out their first album, "Walkin' That Fine Line,” shortly before Christmas. Now the group is enjoying the success they have sought for so long. Their professional status has been hard-earned and is well deserved. See related article for details. Pictured from left; John Gaut and Joe Kibbe work on their next hit song. (AN photo by Merrie-Chapman)

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GRAND ARMY HIGHWAY—This hot new country group, featuring Nappanee's own John Gaut, recently produced their first album, "Walkin' That Fine Line.” Now their music can be heard on local airwaves and plans are being made for the group's first video. See related article for more information about a band so proud of its roots that even its name reflects its heritage—Grand Army Highway. Pictured from left: John Gaut, Nappanee—vocals and electric guitar; Gabe Martin, Arcadia—fiddle and mandolin; Joe Kibbe, Plymouth, lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Jerry Wiggins, Wakarusa—drums; Bill Harris, Culverbass; Gene Ley, Plymouth—lead guitar.

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Copies of Walkin’ That Fine Line” are sold locally at Village Video and East Side Liquors, Nappanee. Anyone interested in hearing the Grand Army Highway can request “It’s Friday Night,” by calling WBTU 93.3, Country 102.3, WLRX 95.7, or WKVI 99.3. Fans can also contact the Grand Army Highway Fan Club, at P.O. Box 7, Plymouth, 46563. The group will begin concert tours next spring. Be watching for more information.

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Honors for NWMS

The North Wood Middle School has announced the names of the following honor roll students for the second grading period. HIGH HONOR ROLL—Grade seven: Kristin Bonacorsi, Mary Borger, Brett Brumbaugh, Nathan Canter, Angele Carlisle, Katy Carlton, Joshua Corwin, Lindsay Detwiler, Alisa Donegan, Jessica Doriot, Brock Doty, Rachel Eaton, Patricia Eicher, Walter Fales, Candace Ganshom, Sean Gibson, Jason Harter, Stephanie Hill, Suzy Hirschy, Jerry Hochstetler, Kristen Holsinger and Aaron Hoover. Also: Jesse Hoover, Amy Hughes. Nick Juday, Heather Kinder, Justin Lantzer, Lindsey Martin, Jessica Mast, Stephanie Michael, Jessica Miller, Levi Miller, Andee Morris, Cori Neff, Erin Newcomer, Benji Paulus, Kelly Reese, Michael Reschly, Charlie Roeder, Andrew Rummel. Joseph Sabo, Abby Sensenbaugh, Matthew Sitek, Crystal Slabaugh, Katy Sonner, Shelly Stichter, Jill Vanßruaenc, Chet Walters and Bradley Wilson. Grade eight: Joey Abel, Kelly Anglemyer, Blair Baumgartner. David Berger, Jr., Grace Bonewitz, Jolene Bontrager, Anne Brubaker, Brianne Burnworth, Angela Callander, Rosanne Chupp, Molly Culp, Jenna Gettys, Brad Greenlee, Ruby Harshberger, Sarah Harter, Kristie Hill, Jessica Hochstetler, Rachel Hoover and Amanda Huff. And: Jennifer Lantzer, Carrie Leinbach, Laura Mast, Ryan Matterri, Amanda Metzger, Emily Metzger, Wendell Miller, Mark Pires, Luke Schafer, Tina Schmucker, Matthew Schrock, Justin Sellon. Joseph Slabach, Matthew Siegel, Megan Sloat, Amanda Stats, Anna Stutsman, Jerry Troyer, Natalie Will, Nathan Wood, Ruby Yoder, Annie Zell. Heather Zenlz and Amy Zercher. REGULAR HONOR ROLL— Grade eight: Michelle Adams, Sarah Anderson, Scott Berger, Trisha Bontrager, Joanna Jeffrey Cale, Cassi Cjinen, Steven Corbin, Bradley Culp, Jennifer Cunningham, Megan Cunningham, Paula Eby, Mandy Gerber. Stephanie Gray, Jessica Guard, Laura Hahn, Carissa Herr, Brooke Hershberger, Brooke Hochstetler, Kevin Hochstetler,

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, January 25,1995

Holly Hostetler, John Hutsell, Jr. and &abe Jessup. Also: Clayton Lane, Benjamin Larsen, - Scott Lehman, Bobby Martz, Todd McDonald, Cynthia Miller. Danny Miller, Nicole Miller, Jason Mishler. William Mitschelen, John Moneyheffer, Justin Moyer, Emily Myers, Matthew Nead, Dustin Potts, Christy Ryman. Harry Schwartz, Teresa Shapland. Joshua Shrock, Kristen Stichter, Lana Stoler, Brandon Tom, Matt Traub, Kenneth Ulanowicz. Joanne Ulery, Andy Umbaugh. Jessica Wamken, Jeffrey Weaver. Reba Weaver, Lavon Weaver. Jessica Wortinger, Andrew Yoder and Bradley Yoder. Grade seven: Amanda Aguilera. Christina Beachy, Kristina Berger, Sarah Berger, Stephanie Berkey, Brooks Blosser, Aaron Bolt, Jason Brennaman. Lindsay Carlin, Stephanie Carncr. John Collins, Justin Dale, ljnda Davis, Eric

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students

Esenwein. Jesse Espinoza. Bryan Fisher, Erin Fisher, Jennifer Friend, Nathaniel Hahn, Nicola,s Hajicek and Carrie Haney. Also: Jeremy Hartzell, Ke(i Herr. Jamie Hill, Aaron Hochstetler, Tyler Holmes, Amanda Hommerding, Amy Hoover. Ryan Hudson, Carol Hunn, Andrew Kauffman. Christie Keen, Susan Kulp, Elizabeth Larrison, Amanda Liechty, Katrina Lightfoot, Anthony McClung, Tricia Mikel. Kari Miller, Amanda Moore, Mindi Odle, Victoria Otis, Benjamin Pippcn. Jillian Poitras, Jennifer Rhodes and Rocco Rigsby. And: Cassie Schalliol, Luke Shaw, Eric Shepherd. Chad Smith. Beth Stoltfus, Trenton Stump. Alisa Stutsman. Becky Sutter! Candice Thomas, Marlend; Weaver. Reatha Weaver, Kami; Weldy, Kevin Witmer. Ambcil; Wolfe artti Joyce Yoder. ! *

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