Local Band, Lively Crowd Open New Edgewood Civic Center

EDGEWOOD—On its big debut evening, the floor at the newly remodeled Edgewood Civic Center got a good workout.

A good crowd of about 50 converged on the new center last Thursday night to hail the return of the Thursday Night Dance, something that has been a cherished tradition among senior citizens in Edgewood.

David Musslewhite, president of the Edgewood Economic Development Corporation, was on hand to witness the occasion.

"It looks great and everyone is enjoying themselves," he said.

A special grand opening ceremony was scheduled Thursday night (July 3) at 6 p.m. with several county officials expected to attend.

Musslewhite said he is just as pleased about the band he has lined up to play every Thursday night.

The Edgewood Express is the house band, playing country dance music for the locals. The group is made up of four local musicians.

"All four of these guys sing and play so well you can’t help but get out on the new dance floor and scoot your boots," Musslewhite said. "This band was formed just for the center and when I heard them rehearse for the first time, I knew we had something very special."

Jerry Glass, the band’s leader and featured vocalist, had worked with lead guitarist Dick Daffron many years ago. Together, they brought in drummer John Rugg and bass guitarist Scott Ishamel to form the Edgewood Express.

Their sets not only feature country dance music but also get an infusion of waltzes, line dance music, Texas two-step favorites and more. Patrons at the center can also expect to hear Texas favorites such as the Cotton Eyed Joe, western polkas and western swing.

Glass, a retired printing and graphics company owner, lives near Wills Point and performs gospel music in Union Chapel Methodist Church near Van and Fruitvale Methodist Church on Sundays. He also plays guitar for a large gospel group, The AARP Angels.

Glass is also a guitar instructor and dance teacher. He plans to open Heritage Guitar Studio in Edgewood’s Heritage Park. Along with the guitar, Glass also plays the five-string banjo and clarinet.

Daffron lives in Fruitvale and plays lead guitar in The Round ‘Em Up Cowboy Church on State Highway 47, just south of Wills Point.

He has taught guitar and helped form the AARP Angels. Daffron is retired from TU Electric. As a professional musician, Daffron has performed with Hank Thompson, The Coasters Show, Billy Walker and many other well known acts.

Rugg lives in Canton and is also the band leader for "Country Drive," performing at D’s Stardust Barn on Saturday nights. He also plays with The Van Zandt Community Band, which has 68 members. He is a music major with a degree in Music Education from Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe)..

Ishmael lives in Edgewood and also performs with "3 R T," a top 40 country band which features southern rock. As the son of a local minister, Scott developed much of his musical skill performing southern gospel music in church.

The Thursday Night Dance includes a potluck dinner with the music starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 and the doors open at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening.

Musslewhite also said the center will soon be offering dance lessons prior to the Thursday dances.

The center, located in downtown Edgewood on Farm-to-Market Road 859, was extensively remodeled with local funds and a grant from the East Texas Council of Governments Community Development Program. It is a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment.

The center is available on other nights for private booking through the city of Edgewood office.