Sometimes it is interesting how sad news for some can lead to enjoyment for many. This past January, Elkader residents Harry and Diane Erickson were visiting Harry’s brother, John, at a hospital in Mankato, Minnesota. Unfortunately, during the couple’s visit John was diagnosed with stage four Lymphoma. The diagnosis is of course very upsetting for the family and has led to many life altering decisions for the group, the most significant of which may be the Minnesota Erickson’s decision to temporarily move in with Harry and Diane, in Elkader. This decision was made to facilitate the medical treatments John is receiving in Dubuque.
Back in January, while the four of them were visiting in the hospital room, John’s hospital roommate, Sonny Bryant was noticeably humming to the point when Diane felt it necessary to comment on his soothing sounds. Bryant explained he was getting ready for his “gig” scheduled to begin in a few hours.
That comment warranted further explanation. It turned out Sonny Bryant formerly sang with the famed music sensations, and Harry Erickson’s all time favorite, the Platters. He joined the group in 1969 and sang with the Rhythm and Blues group until the mid-80s. Now as a solo artist he sings all around the globe and has a very popular Las Vegas show.
At the time of this chance meeting with the Ericksons, Bryant was recovering from emergency surgery. He had been in Mankato to perform at the local Northwoods Lodge showroom. The day before his show he became ill and entered the hospital to have his gall bladder removed.
Bryant is a classic, committed artist, demonstrated by the fact that, until this point in his career, he had never canceled a performance. According to Bryant, he had no intention of cancelling this show either, even though his surgery had occurred less than 24 hours before his scheduled 6 p.m. show, at the Northwoods Lodge.
The Ericksons had immensely enjoyed their visit with Sonny and instantly became fans. The troupe wanted to attend Bryant’s show and Sonny was glad to reserve seats for them – particularly since Diane, a registered nurse, agreed to be Sonny’s personal nurse, in case of an emergency.
The newfound fans were especially impressed by the Sonny Bryant show. Diane Erickson said, “We enjoyed his music so much. Sonny’s show was a great alternative thought pattern for the stress we were under at the time of John’s diagnosis.” At this show, Sonny was accompanied on the keyboard by the “Great Dr. Merlot.” Diane reports, “He was just fabulous.”
Sonny was comforted to have them at the show and remembers, “I didn’t have to worry about a thing, knowing the Ericksons were there.”
With their brief respite behind them the group returned to their separate lives. But not without Sonny having the contact information for his hospital roommate, John Erickson.
Since their time as roommates, Sonny has developed the habit of checking on John every few days. While keeping up with his new friend, John, who was now staying in Elkader, Diane took the opportunity to tell Sonny about Elkader’s Opera House. She thought it would be a great place for him to put on his show as she was confident she and Harry could wrangle a sizable audience. Sonny took the time to check out the venue and agreed he would like to perform on the grand ole stage.
Elkader Opera House Manager, Kay Moser was all for it and the two arranged for Sonny to perform, on March 6th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $12.00.
The Great Dr. Merlot will join Sonny on stage as well as a host of all-star area musicians including Jesse Klosterboer of Strawberry Point, who will play trombone and guitar, McGregor’s Rich Palucci on saxophone and John Schack from Strawberry Point will cover percussion.
Audience members will delight in an evening strolling down memory lane, while Sonny Bryant and crew will perform all the standards spanning the past four decades from the Platters to Frank Sinatra and more. Plan to enjoy tunes like “The Great Pretender” and “Stand by Me.” According to Sonny, he will be “Takin ya back.”
Ticket information is available at www.elkaderoperhouse.com or by calling (563)873-2378.
To get you in the mood, listen to the Platters song “Only You.”
