Mediocre Music Makers Top State's Intriguing and Interesting People and Places List

My wife and I took a trip across America this year and I would just like to say how much we enjoyed Harley and Annabelle`s hospitality on the day we visited them, and for the amount of effort they put into making us all welcome.
We had a great holiday, and thanks to our guide we were taken to the best places, and the Sandhills Curiosity Shop was definitely one of them!
We wish Harley and Annabelle all the best...they deserve it!

Interesting that Amy Graff of the San Francisco Chronicle found The Mediocre Music Makers - Harley and Annabelle - her family's most memorable stop on Route 66...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/de...

...while P.J. Lassek of the Tulsa World found them to be the most intriguing and interesting people and place in all of Oklahoma.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.a...

I have been to The Sandhills Curiosity Shop and experienced them myself and totally agree with these journalist's assessments.

One of our most memorable stops on our Route 66 tour was at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop. I still remember that as we left Erick the whole bus was talking about the wonderful welcome Harley and Annabelle gave us, and also the show they put on for us. Even as we continued our journey, our visit to Erick remained one of the highlights of our tour.
We cannot thank Harley and Annabelle enough for their warm hospitality, and we are sharing it here to let everyone know how we feel!

grownups do live here wrote:

Reading the several forums about the Russells shows they must be doing everything right.
Anytime everybody who speaks has such strong feelings about them, that shows Harley and Annabelle are really something very special.

truer words were never spoken

Joanie wrote:

I`ve read over these Erick forums concerning Harley and Annabelle. I`ve seen them in person, and I`m amazed at their talent, their hospitality, and their fabulous Sandhills Curiosity Shop. I`m also absolutely amazed that they`ve been in Erick for 22 years, and the people that live there still don`t even know them or know what they do!
I would understand it if they wouldn`t even give you people the time of day, but they have really have put a whole new dimension on the word Give. You`d think Harley and Annabelle`s neighbors would try to get to know them before they condemn them.
I would say that the people who have tried to assassinate their character and slander their names should have their heads examined!

Yes, those mean-spirited, foul-mouthed critics of the Russells should have their heads examined. But wouldn't it be scary to see what is (or is not) inside some of those heads?

Joanie wrote:

I`ve read over these Erick forums concerning Harley and Annabelle. I`ve seen them in person, and I`m amazed at their talent, their hospitality, and their fabulous Sandhills Curiosity Shop. I`m also absolutely amazed that they`ve been in Erick for 22 years, and the people that live there still don`t even know them or know what they do!
I would understand it if they wouldn`t even give you people the time of day, but they have really have put a whole new dimension on the word Give. You`d think Harley and Annabelle`s neighbors would try to get to know them before they condemn them.
I would say that the people who have tried to assassinate their character and slander their names should have their heads examined!

With that I'm gonna lite up a fattie and coast out!

Joanie wrote:

I`ve read over these Erick forums concerning Harley and Annabelle. I`ve seen them in person, and I`m amazed at their talent, their hospitality, and their fabulous Sandhills Curiosity Shop. I`m also absolutely amazed that they`ve been in Erick for 22 years, and the people that live there still don`t even know them or know what they do!
I would understand it if they wouldn`t even give you people the time of day, but they have really have put a whole new dimension on the word Give. You`d think Harley and Annabelle`s neighbors would try to get to know them before they condemn them.
I would say that the people who have tried to assassinate their character and slander their
names should have their heads examined!

You really do not have a clue about what you are saying...Annabelle and Harley's neighbors DO know them, and have known them for 20 years, and longer. What a lot of you who come to see the show then leave do not understand is that it is a show. Do you actually think Annabelle and Harley are this way all the time? What the people in Erick are talking about is quality of life on a daily basis, not just the show that goes on in the Curosity Shop.

Hermana wrote:

<quoted text>
You really do not have a clue about what you are saying...Annabelle and Harley's neighbors DO know them, and have known them for 20 years, and longer. What a lot of you who come to see the show then leave do not understand is that it is a show. Do you actually think Annabelle and Harley are this way all the time? What the people in Erick are talking about is quality of life on a daily basis, not just the show that goes on in the Curosity Shop.

I'm beginning to think Hermana may be a Harley plant who posts these incongruous absurdities simply to keep the conversations going, because all publicity is good publicity for entertainers. I can't think of any other explanation for his comments. But I'll fall for his gag, once again, and state the obvious.

EVERYBODY WHO HAS EVER SEEN THE PERFORMANCE AT THE SANDHILLS CURIOSITY SHOP KNOWS IT IS A SHOW. God please protect us from people who can't comprehend simple English!

No performer, anywhere, is "this way all the time."

The people in Erick create their own quality of life by their own choices and behaviors. All they would have to do would be to ignore Route 66's and Western Oklahoma's most popular tourist attraction and make something of their OWN lives, instead of obsessing over the Russells.

frustrated wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm beginning to think Hermana may be a Harley plant who posts these incongruous absurdities simply to keep the conversations going, because all publicity is good publicity for entertainers. I can't think of any other explanation for his comments. But I'll fall for his gag, once again, and state the obvious.
EVERYBODY WHO HAS EVER SEEN THE PERFORMANCE AT THE SANDHILLS CURIOSITY SHOP KNOWS IT IS A SHOW. God please protect us from people who can't comprehend simple English!
No performer, anywhere, is "this way all the time."
The people in Erick create their own quality of life by their own choices and behaviors. All they would have to do would be to ignore Route 66's and Western Oklahoma's most popular tourist attraction and make something of their OWN lives, instead of obsessing over the Russells.

Great point there in your last paragraph. The two or three inept detractors attempting to foment anger towards Harley and Annabelle are sad cases with nothing in their lives stimulating enough or constructive enough to keep them busy with projects that could benefit the human race. They are obsessed with Harley and Annabelle for whatever reason and cannot seem to shake that deep-seated obsession to move on to better things in life.

You have to feel pity for them, really, for allowing themselves to descend into that state. Can you imagine how empty they must feel?

Prayer might help, but I doubt it. It's probably too late.

Oh Yeah wrote:

<quoted text>
Great point there in your last paragraph. The two or three inept detractors attempting to foment anger towards Harley and Annabelle are sad cases with nothing in their lives stimulating enough or constructive enough to keep them busy with projects that could benefit the human race. They are obsessed with Harley and Annabelle for whatever reason and cannot seem to shake that deep-seated obsession to move on to better things in life.
You have to feel pity for them, really, for allowing themselves to descend into that state. Can you imagine how empty they must feel?
Prayer might help, but I doubt it. It's probably too late.

Good comments. What you said about constructive projects really hit a note with me. One of the sad things about the obsession with the Russells is that all that energy and passion wasted on attacking Harley & Annabelle did not go toward making the town's other possibility for a tourist attraction viable.

Erick folk put a lot of work and money into a museum to honor favorite son Roger Miller. It is a nice facility and Roger was certainly a fascinating character.

But the locals opened the doors and then apparently just sat on their hands waiting for the world to come to them. That didn't work. Now, according to a poll, 86% of Topix readers want the museum closed because it is wasting money.

But the last thing the locals seem willing to do is learn from people who know how to attract visitors to Erick. So, instead, we spend a lot of time and passion telling the world how bad the Russells are (the world knows better) as if that could somehow make us look better. It makes no sense to me.

Erick citizen wrote:

<quoted text>
Good comments. What you said about constructive projects really hit a note with me. One of the sad things about the obsession with the Russells is that all that energy and passion wasted on attacking Harley & Annabelle did not go toward making the town's other possibility for a tourist attraction viable.
Erick folk put a lot of work and money into a museum to honor favorite son Roger Miller. It is a nice facility and Roger was certainly a fascinating character.
But the locals opened the doors and then apparently just sat on their hands waiting for the world to come to them. That didn't work. Now, according to a poll, 86% of Topix readers want the museum closed because it is wasting money.
But the last thing the locals seem willing to do is learn from people who know how to attract visitors to Erick. So, instead, we spend a lot of time and passion telling the world how bad the Russells are (the world knows better) as if that could somehow make us look better. It makes no sense to me.

I agree with you, terrible to spend time and energy and money and get nothing in return.

Erick citizen wrote:

<quoted text>
Good comments. What you said about constructive projects really hit a note with me. One of the sad things about the obsession with the Russells is that all that energy and passion wasted on attacking Harley & Annabelle did not go toward making the town's other possibility for a tourist attraction viable.
Erick folk put a lot of work and money into a museum to honor favorite son Roger Miller. It is a nice facility and Roger was certainly a fascinating character.
But the locals opened the doors and then apparently just sat on their hands waiting for the world to come to them. That didn't work. Now, according to a poll, 86% of Topix readers want the museum closed because it is wasting money.
But the last thing the locals seem willing to do is learn from people who know how to attract visitors to Erick. So, instead, we spend a lot of time and passion telling the world how bad the Russells are (the world knows better) as if that could somehow make us look better. It makes no sense to me.

It's sad but true that people casting dispersions about the Russels on these forums are hurting the image of the entire citizenry of Erick. Please keep in mind that such comments are coming from a small minority. They do not represent the entire population of an otherwise fine western Oklahoma town.

frustrated wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm beginning to think Hermana may be a Harley plant who posts these incongruous absurdities simply to keep the conversations going, because all publicity is good publicity for entertainers. I can't think of any other explanation for his comments. But I'll fall for his gag, once again, and state the obvious.
EVERYBODY WHO HAS EVER SEEN THE PERFORMANCE AT THE SANDHILLS CURIOSITY SHOP KNOWS IT IS A SHOW. God please protect us from people who can't comprehend simple English!
No performer, anywhere, is "this way all the time."
The people in Erick create their own quality of life by their own choices and behaviors. All they would have to do would be to ignore Route 66's and Western Oklahoma's most popular tourist attraction and make something of their OWN lives, instead of obsessing over the Russells.

You are still not understanding the point of the whole issue...almost no one in Erick has a problem with Annabelle and Harley putting on a good 'ole show to earn their living. All the people from across the USA and other countries think it is wonderful and Erick is wonderful Route 66 is wonderful and everyone is happy that Annabelle and Harley are loving, hospital, brilliant entertainers and wonderful people.
What the local people have a problem with is when the show is over, the tourists are not in town and everyone is going about their daily living...how Annabelle and Harley behave and treat their own family and other citizens of Erick.

Oklahoma is OK wrote:

<quoted text>
It's sad but true that people casting dispersions about the Russels on these forums are hurting the image of the entire citizenry of Erick. Please keep in mind that such comments are coming from a small minority. They do not represent the entire population of an otherwise fine western Oklahoma town.

Yes, I agree. It is a very small minority of Erick citizens being publicly rude and crude on these forums. At least at any one time.

Almost seems like they take turns keeping the insults and profanities and obscenities flying. I have a sneaking suspicion some of their bosses told some of the earlier posters to stay off these Erick sites, as they were making themselves and the town look bad.

Hermana wrote:

<quoted text>
You are still not understanding the point of the whole issue...almost no one in Erick has a problem with Annabelle and Harley putting on a good 'ole show to earn their living. All the people from across the USA and other countries think it is wonderful and Erick is wonderful Route 66 is wonderful and everyone is happy that Annabelle and Harley are loving, hospital, brilliant entertainers and wonderful people.
What the local people have a problem with is when the show is over, the tourists are not in town and everyone is going about their daily living...how Annabelle and Harley behave and treat their own family and other citizens of Erick.

Harley must be paying you well to keep bringing up his name so often. But it is amusing, so we'll play your game.

1. Why is it anybody's business how Annabelle and Harley behave and treat their own families unless they break a law in Beckham Co.?

2. The Russells treat other citizens of Erick BETTER than citizens of Erick treat them.

So, if Harley is not paying you to talk about him, why don't we talk about how some other Erick people behave and treat people?

Ah, heck, let's just start with the welfare farmers from the official govt. list. Hmmm. I don't know many Erick people, but there are several on this list who have been on various other unsavory lists or are the subjects of widely disseminated gossip. Let's see. Some didn't pay their taxes (it was in the paper). Some were involved with spouses other than their own (so "they" say). Some used government money in a way not approved and were sued for it (see ocdr.com ). Some had to get married (gossip again).

3. Now isn't it disgusting to be bringing all that up? It's their own personal business, unless they break laws. As the Russells lives are their personal business. THAT'S THE REAL ISSUE AND THE POINT OF ALL THIS.

1 Mattie Gail Thompson Erick, OK 73645 $ 597,615
2 Gale Thompson Erick, OK 73645 $ 313,680
3 Danny P Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 256,012
4 Dennis Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 228,203
5 Darrel Gamble Erick, OK 73645 $ 224,723
6 Joel Donley Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 184,864
7 Ransom Snowden Erick, OK 73645 $ 173,427
8 Stone Oren Erick, OK 73645 $ 156,826
9 Donald Ray Boyd Erick, OK 73645 $ 153,000
10 Glennyss Holland Erick, OK 73645 $ 127,319
11 Nell Jane Tennery Erick, OK 73645 $ 118,394
12 Steven Ray Holland Erick, OK 73645 $ 111,063
13 Dale Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 107,846
14 Don Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 107,018
15 Mark David Deleon Erick, OK 73645 $ 102,011
16 Douglas S Prather Erick, OK 73645 $ 96,948
17 Freddie Don Head Erick, OK 73645 $ 90,436
18 Danny K Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 86,985
19 Joe D Hardin Erick, OK 73645 $ 79,169
20 Ruth Kysar

tired of this wrote:

<quoted text>
Harley must be paying you well to keep bringing up his name so often. But it is amusing, so we'll play your game.
1. Why is it anybody's business how Annabelle and Harley behave and treat their own families unless they break a law in Beckham Co.?
2. The Russells treat other citizens of Erick BETTER than citizens of Erick treat them.
So, if Harley is not paying you to talk about him, why don't we talk about how some other Erick people behave and treat people?
Ah, heck, let's just start with the welfare farmers from the official govt. list. Hmmm. I don't know many Erick people, but there are several on this list who have been on various other unsavory lists or are the subjects of widely disseminated gossip. Let's see. Some didn't pay their taxes (it was in the paper). Some were involved with spouses other than their own (so "they" say). Some used government money in a way not approved and were sued for it (see ocdr.com ). Some had to get married (gossip again).
3. Now isn't it disgusting to be bringing all that up? It's their own personal business, unless they break laws. As the Russells lives are their personal business. THAT'S THE REAL ISSUE AND THE POINT OF ALL THIS.
1 Mattie Gail Thompson Erick, OK 73645 $ 597,615
2 Gale Thompson Erick, OK 73645 $ 313,680
3 Danny P Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 256,012
4 Dennis Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 228,203
5 Darrel Gamble Erick, OK 73645 $ 224,723
6 Joel Donley Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 184,864
7 Ransom Snowden Erick, OK 73645 $ 173,427
8 Stone Oren Erick, OK 73645 $ 156,826
9 Donald Ray Boyd Erick, OK 73645 $ 153,000
10 Glennyss Holland Erick, OK 73645 $ 127,319
11 Nell Jane Tennery Erick, OK 73645 $ 118,394
12 Steven Ray Holland Erick, OK 73645 $ 111,063
13 Dale Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 107,846
14 Don Carpenter Erick, OK 73645 $ 107,018
15 Mark David Deleon Erick, OK 73645 $ 102,011
16 Douglas S Prather Erick, OK 73645 $ 96,948
17 Freddie Don Head Erick, OK 73645 $ 90,436
18 Danny K Miller Erick, OK 73645 $ 86,985
19 Joe D Hardin Erick, OK 73645 $ 79,169
20 Ruth Kysar

The hatband on your Stetson must be squeezing your head a bit to tight.

Hermana wrote:

<quoted text>
The hatband on your Stetson must be squeezing your head a bit to tight.

This is a good post revealing Hermana's base mental acuity.

Revealing wrote:

<quoted text>
This is a good post revealing Hermana's base mental acuity.

Well, I think your hat must be jammed down a bit to tight also. You probably also believe Bush's clone McCain would make a good president.

Hermana wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, I think your hat must be jammed down a bit to tight also. You probably also believe Bush's clone McCain would make a good president.

Whoops - no pay check for Hermana today. He didn't even mention Harley in this post.

I wouldn't have thought I'd find something to agree with Hermana about, but, by golly! We are on the same page about how bad Bush's clone McCain would be for our nation. Thanks.

On our honeymoon to America we were so glad to meet Harley and Annabelle in Erick, Oklahoma.
They sang us a love song and made us so happy that we picked the USA for our honeymoon.
Glad we have our visit on video to show all our friends!