Illinois Country Music Association

Laura Laughery

Laura’s had a love of music since grade school. With a music education background, it wasn’t until 2004 that she got involved with country music. A former singer with the New Salem Country Opry band, Laura has been guest with several opry’s around central Illinois. Currently, she is singer and co-operator of Postville Opry.

Anjanel Folkens

Anjanel Folkens is a singer/songwriter from the central Illinois area. She is a proud member of the Illinois Country Music Association. She performs a range of music such as classic Country, contemporary Country, 50s and 60s, Gospel, as well as some selections off her debut CD, “Road Trip.” She prides herself in offering a very high-energy show, getting the crowd up on their feet! She performs around the state at various events, such as country opries, fairs/festivals, sporting events, benefits, etc. She had the wonderful opportunity to open up for John Anderson at the McLean County Fair, as well as John Conlee with the Primetime Country band. She has also performed at the Taste of Chicago, the Apple Pork Festival and the Spoon River Drive Festival, just to name a few. Anjanel was also very honored to have been an international award recipient three years in a row by the North American Country Music Association International organization. Most recently, Anjanel was featured in the winter 09-10 edition of the American Concierge Magazine for the greater Bloomington-Normal Illinois area.

Janice Nevius

Janice has been singing professionally for over 20 years. Her fans and friends in the Illinois Country Music Association, Inc. picked her as the Song Writer of the Year in 2002 and the Opry Female Vocalist of the Year in 2009. She is currently singing with the Bement Country Opry Band. She loves to write songs and stories.

Janet Durham

Janet wanted to be a singer for as long as she can remember. She was a bit on the shy side and never quite felt ready to perform for anyone. She enjoyed singing in Music Class in Grade School, and got a few solo parts for concerts. In Junior High School, she joined the Church Choir. It was then that she learned about harmonizing and the importance of music and voices blending together. She has a poster that says Music happens where Heaven meets the Earth. Music has been a huge part of her life.

She participated in several contests during the years, until adult life took her other directions and music was put on hold for awhile. Someone at the contests had heard her sing and gave her a call to audition for the band Heartland. In 1993, she became a member of this popular dance band and performed for many people in lots of different venues. The band played most every Friday and Saturday night every month. While being a member of Heartland, Janet had the privilege of opening for some name acts including Tim McGraw, the Kentucky Headhunters, and T.G. Shepherd. In 1995, a few of the members of this group decided to break off and became the band known as Eldorado. Eldorado continued to play and perform for vast audiences! Also during this time, she had been asked to do Guest Spots at some of the areas Opry Shows. She soon became a crowd favorite and was honored with the title of Most Promising New Female Vocalist in 1994, for the Illinois Country Music Association, Inc. In 2004, she and her long time friend, Linda Thomas, began tossing around the idea of starting their own opry show. They got in touch with musicians that they had met throughout the years, and by April, 2004, they held their first PrimeTime Country Opry Show at the Olympia High School Auditorium in Stanford, IL.

Ray Prince

Ray is the current president of the Illinois Country Music Association, Inc., as well as the editor of their newsletter. He has been interested in country music since he learned to talk, and has been singing all his life. He is co-MC of the Bon-Aire Jammers, who meet weekly at Imo’s Family Restaurant in Farmer City, and is also a member of the Cowboy Church which holds a service each Sunday evening at the First Christian Church in Farmer City. He does special programs for seniors’ groups and at his church, Eastview Christian in Normal. He is also a member of The Prairie Ramblers, who do special programs for nursing homes in and around Bloomington.