What: Watermark Books & Café invites you to attend an in-person event with local author Orin Friesen! This event is hosted by the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum and co-sponsored by Watermark Books.
Celebrating the release of: Honky-Tonkers and Western Swingers - Stories of Country Music in Wichita, Kansas by Orin Friesen. The Museum is pleased to host the author who will speak about his new book. The presentation will be followed by an hour of live music with cameo appearances by several of the performers featured in the book. In good weather the event will take place outside in the Museum's Heritage Square where visitor capacity is greatest; otherwise the event will take place in the Museum's auditorium where capacity is extremely limited. Please contact the Museum for advanced reservations. The book will be available for sale in the Museum's Gift Shop located near the Admissions Desk on the 1st floor.
Regular admission to the Museum is charged: $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children, Museum Members and their guests are admitted free.
Orin Friesen is a well known radio personality, musician, author and historian, perhaps best known for his career at KFDI radio. His 2013 book "Goat Glands to Ranch Hands - the KFDI Story" now out of print, is a singularly important account of our local history.
The Historical Museum is our local history museum - one of America's best, accredited by the American Alliance of Museum since 1972, serving the community since 1939. Today it occupies the original 1890 City Hall building.
When: Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. (CT)
Where: This is an in-person event located at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
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About the Book
The city of Wichita has a rich history in country music, dating back to the 1920s. This book showcases the artists who performed various styles of country music in Wichita during the 20th century, including western swing, honky tonk, rockabilly, bluegrass, country rock, western, and even a bit of southern gospel. It also spotlights those singers who got their start in Wichita and went on to national fame.
About the Author
Orin Friesen spent most of his career in country radio, and performing in bluegrass and western bands. He also has a passion for local history and enjoys research and writing, His previous book was called Goat Glands to Ranch Hands: The KFDI Story
