Little Texas, Keith Anderson to perform for Party in the Park Saturday

"Pickin' Wildflowers" country singer Keith Anderson and seasoned country band Little Texas, known especially for the hit "God Blessed Texas," will take the stage Saturday for the 10th-annual Party in the Park at the McKinley Park bandshell in Creston.

Gates open at 2 p.m. with the KSIB-sponsored Country Showdown, “America’s largest country music talent search,” beginning around 3 p.m. and bands to follow. The Carl Worden Band from Kansas City, Missouri, will open for the two national acts.

Little Texas

Originating in Nashville, Tennessee, in the late 1980s, Little Texas is most known for hit singles “God Blessed Texas,” “Some Guys Have All the Love” and “My Love.”

In 2015, the band released “Young for a Long Time,” its first album since 2007.

“You can be an aging country band and still have a lot of fun,” said Duane Propes, Little Texas bassist and vocalist. “’Young for a Long Time’ kind of sums up this whole thing. We started when we were 23 years old, and we’re still trying to make music that fits our style, but we’re all about to hit 50, so we said, ‘Let’s make an album that’s for people who like to listen to music from our generation instead of trying to do bro country.’”

One song on Little Texas’ latest album pokes fun at the style of country music that’s on the radio today.

“It’s called ‘Yeah, yeah yeah,’ and it is absolutely hilarious. We put, I think, 120 different cliches into one song that have been used over and over ... in that bro country genre,” Propes said. “We just laughed our guts out while we were writing it.”

For Little Texas, “the crowd is 80 percent of the show; the other 20 percent are the hits.”

“I’ve said for years, we are the Van Halen of country music,” Propes said. “It’s a party; it’s fun. Is everything perfect? No. But, you’re going to be jumping up and down and having fun.”

Propes said this performance with Anderson will be special, as the two have a unique history.

“I was working for Gibson Guitars, and Keith was playing at the Tennessee Titans’ stadium ... and I gave him his first Gibson guitar, and to this day, he still plays Gibson,” Propes said. “He has been a friend of ours for a long, long time. I actually just talked to Keith and I said, ‘OK, we’re doing this show together, so don’t play too good.’”

Keith Anderson

Anderson, an Oklahoma native, is most known for his singles “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name” and “I Still Miss You.” He’s made a name for himself with his own music and hits he’s penned for others.

In 2015, Anderson released his latest single, “I’ll Bring the Music,” an EP and live album.

“’I’ll Bring the Music’ just feels like something fresh,” Anderson said. “I grew up in a small town, so (this song) is about how you just have to make your own party and do your own thing, whether it’s dragging Main (Street) like we used to do or just having your own party out in a big cornfield.”

For Party in the Park, Anderson said he has “the best band he’s ever had,” and they will bring high energy to the stage.

“It’s going to be a fun night, and hopefully everyone is ready to just join in because the more they participate, the more fun it’ll be,” he said.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase, catered by Big Chris Barbecue in Creston. Last year, about 1,300 people attended Party in the Park, which is sponsored by the park and rec board, McKinley Park Renovation Committee and local businesses.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Creston News Advertiser, Hy-Vee, Stalker Chevrolet and Jane Brown's Physical Therapy in Creston; Rumors Bar & Grille in Mount Ayr; Clarke County Publishing in Osceola or online at www.redtrucktickets.com. Party in the Park is an age 16 or older show.