Democrats attending CCDCC’s 2021 holiday party enjoyed music performed by the Cattywampus Band. The band’s blend of original songs and traditional standards has been a highlight of the holiday event for several years.

Tom Parker, banjo and vocals, has been making music for 70 of his 89 years and has played at various fundraising events for 35 years. He said Cattywampus looks forward each year to CCDCC’s holiday gathering.

“This is one of our favorite gigs,” he said. “We must have done this seven or eight times and it’s a great joy.”

Parker is a Drury University professor emeritus of art who lives in Highlandville. He said he’s always been involved in politics and gained his first political experience at a young age.

“I grew up in Kansas and for my first campaign I actually campaigned as a Republican for Alf Landon—I was four years old, passing out little sunflower buttons, but I’ve been a Democrat since Harry Truman.”

Parker said over the years he’s made a lot of friends among Christian County Democrats, and providing music for CCDCC’s holiday event is a way of giving back.

“If I were a rich guy, I’d be giving money to the party, but I give them my time. I also canvass and work during the campaigns. Our band has sort of made a specialty out of playing for these kinds of fundraising events, and it’s fun.”

In addition to Parker, the Cattywampus Band features George North, fiddle; Kent Franks, guitar vocals; Danny Lockmiller, guitar vocals; and Mark Crabtree, guitar vocals. The CCDCC extends its deep appreciation to these talented supporters.