CRESTVIEW — Each week, eight Crestview and Baker area musicians fill local venues with country and Gospel music.
The musicians, who have played together for 10 years, regularly perform at Linda's Philippine & American Cafe in Baker and Crestview's Old Spanish Trail Park Senior Activity Center.
The performances give senior citizens something else to do, and the music is timeless, performers say.
"We play … the oldies but the goodies," keyboardist Lois Lancester says. Others play the acoustic or electric guitar or the mandolin. Several often sing. "We just love to play music."
It's a standing appointment for a number of North Okaloosa residents.
Patrick Beverly says he has been listening to the group perform for several years.
Gilbert Heaton of Crestview enjoys the twang.
"I enjoy country music," he says. "I enjoy it so much that I keep coming back again and again."
Mary Ratcliffe, who watches the Friday-evening Crestview performances with Ray Aplin, just enjoys the group's sound.
"They do really well together," she says.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Country and Gospel music
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Fridays
WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park Senior Activity Center, 205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Senior citizens find camaraderie in country, gospel music