Bonham -- After performing approximately 1,000 shows over the past three decades, area musicians who comprise AceHigh decided it was time to hang up the guitars and fiddle and put down the drumsticks.
But local music fans will have one more opportunity to see many of the musicians who played in the band when they take the stage for a reunion concert January 14 to benefit Fannin County Fire Chiefs Association.
Fans of this band might recall that these guys played a couple of shows in early 1981 under the moniker Midnight Hour with a lineup of Mark Rattan, David Neal, Gary Don Vandeventer, James Adair, Royce Nichols and Allen Vandeventer. Allen was also playing with a group called Gun Shy, so he dropped out and the original AceHigh lineup was Mark Rattan, David Neal, Gary Don Vandeventer, James Adair and Royce Nichols. The band began rehearsals in earnest at Mark's house and played their first paid gig as AceHigh in June 1981 for Robert Joe Vandygriff.
AceHigh went on to open for Lee Greenwood, Asleep At The Wheel, Ricochet, Con Hunley, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Sylvia, Charlie McClain and Doug Kershaw. In addition, Mark Rattan and Mark Duvall ran sound for Garth Brooks at Calhouns.
Here are the musicians in the order of appearance and 14 of them have confirmed that they will attend the show January 14 and perform, with a few others that are still "maybe's."
Mark Rattan
David Neal
Gary Don Vandeventer
James Adair
Royce Nichols
Allen Vandeventer
Floyd Stewart
Jay Grizzle
"Slick" (we never knew his real name)
Shelley McBride
James Yowell
Joe Stephens
John Harris
Rick Freeman
Mark Duvall
Charlie Jones
Ben Vincent
Jubal Dudley
Sam Noth
John Apodaca
Brian Cordell
Sound & Light Technicians were...
Jeff Fulp
Paul Peebles
Mark Duvall
Rodney Blackerby
Hurry and pick up tickets to AceHigh "Fire and Smoke" Reunion Concert at Fannin County Multipurpose Complex in Bonham, Texas on January 14, 2012.
General Admission is $20 a person available at the door or at Hope Chest Collectables, Bonham Fire Dept (north station), Bonham City Hall, Trenton City Hall, First National Bank of Trenton, and Honey Grove City Hall.
Sponsorships are as follows...
CHIEF LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $ 500
Tickets for 10 people for dinner and concert. Reserved Parking. 3 ft. X 6 ft. Individual Vinyl Banner w/your Company Name to be displayed at the event (single color) or the use of your own Banner (any reasonable size) if you have one. To be returned to you after the event. Sponsor to be listed in as much pre-event advertising as possible. Exclusive “CHIEF” Sponsor’s table decorated in white w/ 2 bottles of wine for your company employees and or guest near stage. Sponsorship announced throughout the evening.
CAPTAIN LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $ 350
Tickets for 6 people for dinner and concert. Reserved Parking. Your Company Name to be displayed at the event (single color) in large font at or near the top of a large Multi-Sponsor Banner. Sponsor to be listed in as much pre-event advertising as possible.“Captain” Sponsor’s table decorated in red w/ 2 bottles of wine for your company employees and or guest near stage. Sponsorship to be announced throughout the evening.
LIEUTENANT LEVEL SPONSORSHIP $ 250
Tickets for 4 people for dinner and concert. Reserved Parking. Your Company Name to be displayed at the event (single color) in medium font at or near the middle of a large Multi-Sponsor Banner. Sponsor to be listed in as much pre-event advertising as possible. “Lieutenant” Sponsor’s table decorated in black. Table will be shared with other Lieutenant Sponsors. Sponsorship to be announced throughout the evening.
FIREFIGHTER SPONSORSHIP $ 100
Reserved seating for 2 with other Firefighter Level Sponsors. (Table will be shared with other Firefighter Level Sponsors.) Your Company Name to be displayed at the event (single color) in small font below Lieutenant Sponsors on a large Multi-Sponsor Banner. Sponsorship to be announced throughout the evening.
If you have questions or want to become a sponsor, please email Rodney Blackerby at rblackerby1965@aol.com
There are 20 brand new RV camping spots now available at the Multi-Purpose Complex. All have 50 amp, 30 amp, and 120V hookups with sewer and water. $20 per night. For more information, call 903-227-4538 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
There will also be a silent auction for a 1984 Fender Stratocaster that will be signed by past and present members of AceHigh. It will be mounted in a handmade cabinet for display.
This is a BYOB event with set-ups available at the facility.