Platts rings in country New Year for VSO

A person cannot be much more cowboy than Sam Platts, who with his band, sings old time Country and Western music, lives in a town called Pony and works full-time on a ranch.

He will bring his country music to the Platte Valley Community Center Thursday from 7-10 p.m.

Platts is no stranger to small town living, as he grew up in Saratoga and is returning this week to play at the Platte Valley Community Center for the Valley Service Organization's (VSO) New Year's Eve party.

Platts, along with his bass player J. Kane and drummer Kaj Seifert, will be singing some of his original songs, including the ones he has written for his new album. Classic country like Hank Williams or Johnny Cash are part of his regular repertoire too.

Sam started his country and western singing career in high school, playing at the local American Legion. Since then, he has traveled the world with another band that he still occasionally fills in for, Wylie and the Wild West.

Platts' band is aptly named the Kootenai Three. Kootenai is a county in Idaho, and a Native American Tribe. "I wanted to try it out and see how it works." The band plays mostly weekend gigs.

Platts decided to work with his band nearly exclusively, but still travels in the same circles as Wylie and the Wild West. The band traveled to France two summers ago. Country and Western music is very popular in Europe, Platts said.

While the band is working on a new album, recording is expensive and they have not developed a new CD yet, but his first CD will be available for sale at the event New Year's Eve.

With his new job working on a ranch, Platts has a lot of thinking time, which helps to come up with new songs.

He is looking forward to performing in Saratoga and catching up with some friends and family at the gig.

"We play Alpine the next night, so I will only have time to see the family at the gig," Platts said.

An admission is charged for the event, with special family rates, and children under 12 are free, a press release from the VSO said.

Hors d'oeuvres will also be available, according to VSO president Kate Sherrod.

The VSO emphasized that this is a family-oriented event for all ages. "The event ends early enough for those so inclined to continue their celebration downtown, at church celebrations or private parties," Sherrod said.