Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JEAN NORDINE
Bessemer — More than 225 people were treated to an evening of song and dance at the Bessemer VFW Sunday. Providing a variety of entertainment with their “Letters From Home” show were Erinn Diaz and Courtney Groves.
In the style of a USO show, they tap danced and sang songs such as “In the Mood,” “Sentimental Journey” and “Boogie, Woogie Bugle Boy.”
The duo has been preforming individually since they were both little girls. Diaz and manager husband Nelson Diaz developed “Letters From Home” six years ago, with Groves joining them in 2016.
“Letters From Home” was inspired by Diaz’ father, Pat Dearth. Dearth, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, suggested his daughter put on a show for veterans.
Dearth passed away in 2015 and now the show is funded in his honor through the Pat Dearth Performance Fund which sells CDs, calendars, T-shirts and other show memorabilia.
The show’s mission is to honor veterans, active military heroes and their families and revive patriotism through music. They travel throughout the country playing at VA hospitals, military organizations and other events that support veterans.
The show had plenty of audience participation. Numerous times throughout the production the performers brought people on the stage to be a part of the songs they were singing.
One gentleman ended up covered in ribbons as “the old oak tree” during the tune “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree.”
Another bald headed gentleman had his head covered with bright red lip stick kisses as they sang “I Wanna be Loved by You.”
Diaz hails from North Carolina, while Groves in from the Minneapolis area. They have recently given up their apartments since they are on the road more than 350 days a year.
The group just preformed downstate in Three Oaks and now will be going to Iowa. This spring they will be preforming with the Princess Cruise Lines.
