October 30, 2013
Country Singer Coming Home
Recipes
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Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Around Town
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Police Chief Walks for Diabetes
Photo courtesy of Derek Anthony
Derek Anthony to play free show at Yacovelli’s Country crooner Derek Anthony was born and raised in Florissant and is headed home for a CD release party on December 26 from 7:30 – 10pm at Yacovelli’s. His latest single “Cowboy Way” is gaining in popularity because it is played each time the Dallas Cowboys make a touchdown at home games and country radio stations are playing it at a rate of about 900 plays a week. Growing up in Florissant, Derek played just about every instrument out there as he progressed through school, attending Combs Elementary, Ferguson-Florissant, and finally McCluer High School. “Patty Ruggles was my [high school] choir teacher,” he remembers. “I’ve been trying to find her, and I can’t find her. I just want to give her and tell her thank you for everything you did for me. She gave me a lot of confidence: As a dude in high school, back then before the Glee days, singing wasn’t that popular. I was an athlete and took some slack from the boys. She was supportive and a positive influence.” Locals may know Derek’s parents, the Blubaughs, who have lived in the area since 1967 and are really involved in the community. They might even remember Derek’s performances in the high school musicals Hello Dolly and The Music Man.
Derek almost played Professor Harold Hill in Music Man. But, he explains, “I was entrenched with baseball and really taking it seriously, and I thought am I going to have time to do it? Harold Hill? I can’t be 100% dedicated. So I was in the quartet; the bass singer. We were really good. It was me, Gene Stephens, Beau Byson and Gary Peineke.” (Derek is almost sure this is how to spell his high school friends’ last names.) “That’d be cool if they could come to this event, and we could get a picture. I have a picture of us from high school. We look like the biggest dorks but it was so fun. I wish someone had a copy of that performance on video. Maybe we could sing ‘Goodnight, Lady.’ And I’d love an ‘after’ picture.” Derek is grateful to Ms. Ruggles and the whole Florissant community, which is why he has chosen to host his official St. Louis CD release party at Yacovelli’s absolutely free for anyone who wants to attend. This way he can give back to the community that gave him the courage to take a chance and make a career out of country music. Derek is launching his sophomore album Cowboy Way under his own label, B L U A N T Music Group, in December. With Steve Mandile producing the album in Nashville, this album will be
Business
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30 Years in Florissant
as strong as any artist’s in the business. All of Derek’s music can be found on all the major musical websites. Derek has always had a passion for music: instrumentally and vocally. From the age of six, Derek was singing George Strait, Kenny Rogers, to Glen Campbell. With the diversity of instrument experience, this gives Derek a wide range of styles and patterns to pull from while writing, performing, and composing songs. See DEREK ANTHONY page 2
School
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Science Teacher Receives Award
Escape Plan photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment
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