I am the second generation musician in my family.I began playing rhythm guitar at the age of nine,for my father Pappa Joe ponton,who was a fiddle player for a square dancing groups.When I reached the age of fifteen I began to play lead guitar for a local band.I remember the first time Ken played in the band,it was 1961 and he was about 10 years old,we had a New Years Eve party to play at the Bradley American Legion and we needed an accordion player,that could play Polka's.The people loved him and that was the beginning of our life long friendship!
On Oct 31,1970 in the hay loft of an old red barn located north of beaver creek in Iroquois County the legend of T.C.C.began. It was Halloween night and five muscians,a female vocalist and a square dance caller,made their way through the crowd and reached the new stage in that old red barn!
Now we find ourselves standing before a hundred happy people hiding their identities behind the masked costumes which they were wearing,as the night went on I watched the crowd and began to realize what we had done! We had stopped time,an re-woken the gift of having fun together and brought it back to life,a hundred strong! At first,we played a few slow songs and then Pappa Joe picked up his fiddle and the square dancing began.The dance floor came to life with laughter,from happy voices!
Grandpa's were swinging Grandma"s and the grandchildren were doing Alamine left and all joining handsFor the first time in years,the families, were taking the time out to do things together and they did it our way,Country Still!
Darryl Lee Ponton
Third generation musician in the family started playing drums in the band at the age of thirteen. At the age of sixteen,Darryl began to play the bass guitar in the band and he played 6 years with T.C.C. and than got a job playing bass for the Silver Eagle Band . he played semi -prow bass for that band, for four years til the band broke up.
Kenny Lee Floriant
At the age of twelve had set the accordion aside and began to learn to play the guitar,and at sixteen he became the lead guitarist in a rock and roll local band. But in 1970,Ken joined up with me with his old friend and started playing the lead in T.C.C.for the next four years at pappa Joe's Jamboree's!In 1976,after the barn dances faded out Ken and Carol Porter the female vocalist for T.C.C.,started a new band called the Country Classics which lasted for almost two years and in the 90's,Ken played rock and roll again as the lead guitarist for the band,called Straight Up. ken has taught music and is an excellent muscician and is a legend in this area!
In 1988,I organized a Country Show Case 88 and held it at the Papineau Collisseum.It was an event to gather ,the members of the T.C.C. association to celebrate my fortieth anniversary of playing music!!500 strong attended and was a historical event!!
Scott alan Jackson
Scott was one of the children in Show Case 88,singing in a group,called the Inspirations.Scott went to Branson,Sept.8,2001 and won a vocal contest and on Sept.8,2002,will be in a vocal finalist contest at Nashville and if he wins it will recieve a $100000 recording contract!
Thelma-Lou
On June 10th,2001,myself and the band celebrated my guitars 30th anniversary at the Old Court House Museum in Watseka,IL. Anniversary certificates were given to all the band members and were signed by President Of The iroquois Historical Society,Wayne Hiles!A special certificate was given to honor the name of my guitar,"Thelma-Lou"The legendary Guitar of Beaver Creek and was signed also by the president of the Historical society,Wayne Hiles.
Thelma-Lou,myself and the band has played for 47 benefits ,in the last thirty years,creating a total of $50,200.00 to the needy.
Your's Truly
Lee F. Ponton
Designed by Leon and Patty
Updated 5-21-2010
Grizz Home
Musician's In The Museum
The St.Anne Centennial (1950)
My Musid And Special Events
A Second Look(My Hero)
My First Guitar(1955)
Poppa Joe's Hayloft Jamboree(1970)
Donovan Centennial(1971)
St.Anne Country & Western Show(1972)
Fourth Of July in St.Anne(1975)
Fourth Of JulyIn St.Anne(1977)
Showcase 88
T.C.C.Band (2002)
Watseka Museum
