Historic Farmland USA’s Board of Directors is presenting “Jerry Fest,” a free, all-day concert on July 2nd from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in downtown Farmland. This free, all-day event celebrates the life and legacy of former Farmland resident, Jerry Cole.
Jerry Cole was a fixture in Randolph County. He was born March 3, 1954, in Muncie to Melba and Jack Cole, Sr. He was a 1972 graduate of Muncie Southside High School and a 1976 graduate of Ball State University where he went on to join their faculty. He passed away in 2019.
Jerry volunteered for many years in Historic Farmland as its Operations Director and many other places throughout Randolph County. He received “Male Volunteer of the Year Award” from the Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016.
Jerry was an accomplished and popular musician throughout east central Indiana and the Metamora community. His enthusiasm and talent for music was appreciated by a wide audience of genres and ages. He and his wife Judy started the popular First Friday Concert Series. They also founded the Monday Music Jam at the Community Center. The Jam is still popular with both the musicians as well as the attendees.
Jerry both directed and performed in many theatrical productions. He performed in several Muncie Civic Theatre productions as well as playing in the orchestra. He served as technical director “Tom Cherry’s Old Time Radio Show” in Farmland.
Jerry was an avid volunteer and served for many years as Historic Farmland’s Operations Director, and many other places throughout Randolph County. He received “Male Volunteer of the Year Award” from the Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016.
A music scholarship for local budding musicians will be established through donations, as well as the Jerry Cole Memorial Fund.
John Beatrice kicks off the festivities at 9 am. John is a good friend of the Coles and Jerry was a member of the John Beatrice Band, the early years. John is a well known, up and coming local/regional performer/singer song writer and is known for his ballads about living and growing up in the area.
10-11 Dan Wright and Company. Dan’s taps into many genres and is always a delightful, witty musician that will surprise the audience with some long ago hit favorites and historical songs that clearly are not forgotten.
11-12 The Oxford Baking Company John Hoyt and Reye Hodgson took the name of the bakery where they began their joint harmonizing with banjo and autoharp. They are frequent guests of local establishments and always deliver songs that resonate with life.
12-1:30. Long Haul Paul and Michael Ronstadt collaborate with original Americana music.
Paul Marhoefer, a resident of Losantville IN, is a singer/songwriter that sings of life and long distance hauling. He has 5 CD’s to date and he is joined in this performance with Michael Ronstadt, who teaches cello at Earlham and knows his way around most (if not all) string instruments. This duo is unique and not to be missed.
1:30-3 brings The Fierce to the stage. They are a local Muncie group that features Ric Dwenger, Sally Fierce, Lyn Fierce, Susan Isenhat and Mike Kerrigan bring a wonderful sense of blues fused with rock and roll originals. We can only hope they play “Skin and Bones”.
3-3:30 is the debut of Lee Neuzil and Jess Robinson. Lee was one of the founding members of the Howling Wind Band which featured his late father, Tom, on keyboards. Lee then gravitated to rock and roll with the Bullet Jones Band of Columbus Ohio. He and Jerry spent many days sharing music and guitars.
3:30-5 John Kogge and the Lonesome Strangers bring their unique sound and love of folk music to the stage. They hail from southern Ohio and southern Indiana. They are a real treat that everyone will love.
5-7 Mountain Laurel with special guest Ron Ragle need no introduction to the Farmland crowd of Bluegrass lovers. Their traditional bluegrass favorites are a staple throughout Indiana.
7-9 brings “My Brothers Keeper” for a unique and progressive acoustic sound to the stage. This nationally known group, specializes in harmonies featuring the Luckhoupt brothers, Titus, Benjamin, and Joshua, with Wyatt Murray. They will also perform at the Farmland Friends Church on Sunday July 3.
