Cattywampus Band entertains CCDCC's Holiday Event

Democrats attending CCDCC’s 2021 holiday party enjoyed music performed by the Cattywampus Band. The band’s blend of original songs and traditional standards has been a highlight of the holiday event for several years.

Cattywampus Band performs

Tom Parker, banjo and vocals, has been making music for 70 of his 89 years and has played at various fundraising events for 35 years. He said Cattywampus looks forward each year to CCDCC’s holiday gathering.

“This is one of our favorite gigs,” he said. “We must have done this seven or eight times and it’s a great joy.”

Parker is a Drury University professor emeritus of art who lives in Highlandville. He said he’s always been involved in politics and gained his first political experience at a young age.

“I grew up in Kansas and for my first campaign I actually campaigned as a Republican for Alf Landon—I was four years old, passing out little sunflower buttons, but I’ve been a Democrat since Harry Truman.”

Parker said over the years he’s made a lot of friends among Christian County Democrats, and providing music for CCDCC’s holiday event is a way of giving back.

“If I were a rich guy, I’d be giving money to the party, but I give them my time. I also canvass and work during the campaigns. Our band has sort of made a specialty out of playing for these kinds of fundraising events, and it’s fun.”

In addition to Parker, the Cattywampus Band features George North, fiddle; Kent Franks, guitar vocals; Danny Lockmiller, guitar vocals; and Mark Crabtree, guitar vocals. The CCDCC extends its deep appreciation to these talented supporters.

29th Holiday Party welcomes in the Season

On Saturday night Dec. 4, 2021, Christian County Democrats, joined by many Greene County Democrat friends, celebrated the season and cheered on our Democratic values.

Guest speaker Scott Sifton rallied the audience by reiterating our common values, especially those supporting workers by advocating for unions, affordable health care, education, and equitable pay. Sifton is running for Roy Blunt’s seat in the U.S. Senate, but he also stressed the importance of Missouri Senate and House of Representatives races and urged us to continue our support for candidates running as Democrats next year. (We were pleased to have Amy Freeland, running for 140th District Representative, in our audience.)

Every year since 1996 the Christian County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC) has selected someone to receive the Litton Award named in memory of Jerry Litton, Democratic U.S. Representative from Missouri who died in 1976 after winning the primary for U.S. Senate. The Litton Award honors someone in our area who has gone above and beyond in supporting our county’s Democratic Party. This year’s recipients are Marge and Mike Bramer. Both are members of CCDCC and have worked in numerous capacities to champion Democratic values. While receiving the award, Marge recalled that her political activities began with the JFK presidential campaign.

The Cattywampus Band again provided our holiday music—giving first-time attendees and returning ones some classic tunes to ring in the new year. A highlight of the evening was our live auction of pies, baskets, and sundries. The auction was highly successful in raising funds for the CCDCC. The Patriotic basket of goodies, the pecan pie, and the peanut brittle attracted some of the highest bids. Huge thanks to all who donated to the auction, and deep appreciation and thanks to this year’s party sponsors. We all hope for a successful new year, one marked by lots of Democrats winning elections!