Dangerous Doug Harper

One of the things that "Dangerous" Doug Harper plans to do with his Web site, www.localearmusic.com, is to continue to uplift the Nevada community, and continue promoting the downtown business district.

Harper wants to give back to those who have supported him and those who continue to support his musical journey. The ""Bands from the Back 40" ad campaign began in August and will continue promote just how great Nevada is. "I want to let the world know about my favorite place --in a loud way," Harper stated to friends and associates at a meeting in August.

Harper plans to produce posters and signs about concerts and events throughout Missouri mostly, promoting people to come and check it out for themselves. The CD is now available in all 50 states, creating an interest in the Nevada, Mo., community, Harper said.

He will also be producing some national ads as well, though some have already launched, and more ads will begin to surface as the spring tourism season approaches.

Of course this will benefit the popularity of his Web site as well, with a little extra promotion the Web site will generate interest in other Nevada news, Web sites and history.

Local Ear simply wants to gain national exposure for our music scene, and hopes to advance the community while doing so. In fact hope is not really the best thing to say here, these things are really already happening. The results are beginning to unfold, Harper said.

Harper also said that he has enjoyed promoting tourism, just to help the community as a whole.

"I feel that I should be active in promoting tourism in Vernon County even though I am not officially involved in any of the existing organizations, and not always present (in town) as of late. These organizations do great work but this is a big job and the more people that will take on this type of pride for there community, the faster it will grow, and then begin to spread good news back to the world. This will be a drawing point of interest to outsiders that may potentially visit our community. This type of attitude will be beneficial to all that live here," Harper said. - Nevada Daily Mail

While Bushwhacker Days performances took place outside, inside the Daylight Doughnuts shop on the Square, a group of four young musicians shared their gospel message of praise, alternative-style with those who gathered to listen.

Doug Harper -- locally known as "Dangerous Doug," when he performs -- is a musician himself and helped bring Thursday's band to town via the Local Ear, an organization aimed at promoting live music in the area -- especially music with a Christian message.

On Thursday, and again on Saturday, the Christopher Jordan Band appeared at Daylight Doughnuts along with Berlin Drop and Matthew Harper on Thursday and another guest on Saturday.

The four-member Christopher Jordan Band comes from the Chicago, Ill., area, and is in the middle of a 60-appearance national tour. Its members -- Zack, age 15; Kyle, age 18; Roy, age 16; and Chris, age 20 -- have been together a short nine months, although Jordan says he's been playing music for about five years.

Self-described as a Christian worship and praise band in the "alternative, punk style" the Christopher Jordan Band fills a unique niche for listeners.

"It's different, but a lot of people like it," Harper said, noting that the band has played a broad array of venues, ranging from very small markets to very large events where they play to audiences of thousands. In fact, between Nevada engagements, they played at the Westport Theatre in Kansas City, and their schedule includes a June 30 appearance at the Cornerstone Festival, a large venue in Bushnell, Ill.

Jordan said he plays the music because "God called me to do this when I was saved."

"They're playing here, partly because they want to play as many places as they can and get their name known as widely as they can. I think it's also because Nevada is a cool place to be. Nevada's just cooler than a lot of other towns. And the music scene here is following the trend of Seattle in the early '90s. We're sort of a little Seattle," Harper said.

Out of courtesy to Elisha Ellis of Daylight Doughnuts, the coffeehouse performances paused Thursday evening while she performed less than a block away on the outdoor stage, but played many songs throughout the evening.

"We love them all, and we'd like to recognize them all," Harper said of the Local Legends performers on stage during the performances at Daylight, but due to Ellis' direct connection with the doughnut and coffee shop, "we wanted to do that for her."

Several people stopped by to hear the music, which had once been a Thursday night tradition at Daylight Doughnuts. Harper said only a few performances, to be announced later, will take place during the summer. Because listeners were spilling out into the street during events, concerns were raised about safety, so local music promoters opted to conduct the concerts when colder weather encouraged listeners to stay inside.

"We're still going to be very active," Harper said, in promoting performance opportunities for the benefit of both musicians and listeners.

In fact, the Christopher Jordan Band will be back later this year.

"They'll be here again August 11," Harper said
- Nevada Daily Mail