A Branson, Mo.-based duo known for their tribute to country singer George Strait are returning to Albert Lea later this month.

Gordy Wensel and Debbie Kaye, better known as Gordy & Debbie, are set to perform April 26 at the American Legion Club. The concert is a fundraiser to reduce the American Legion’s debt, said organizers Arnie Mulso, John Peterson and Dave Mullenbach.

Mullenbach said the debt is nearly paid off. Two years ago, the post owed back taxes, red ink and debt. It caught up on taxes and began a campaign to raise $85,000 through the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

As of April 17, the chamber reported donations of $67,380.

Mullenbach said Legion Commander Roger Bakken will end a 2 1/2-year term June 30 and said the post members have set a goal of raising about $18,000 before the term is up. He said paying off the post’s debt to Alliant Energy was the most recent good news.

“Things are looking up,” Mullenbach said.

The concert, he said, goes toward that goal. Mulso said they hope to raise at least $1,000 at the show.

In Branson, Gordy & Debbie regularly perform “A Tribute to George Strait Dinner Show” at Jackie B. Goode’s Uptown Cafe, in addition to appearing on various stages and broadcasts in that tourist-friendly town.

They came to Albert Lea in April 2012 and performed at Southwest Middle School as a fundraiser for the American Legion, too.

They perform country, tunes from the 1950s and ’60s, gospel and patriotic music, along with some humor.

Wensel originally is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, while Kaye is from Kimball, S.D. The two met in 2005 and wed in 2006.

Mulso encouraged people to come.

“George Strait has had more No. 1 hits in a row than any other entertainer,” he said.

Tickets in advance are $10 and are available at the club, 142 N. Broadway.

 

If you go

What: A Tribute to George Strait with Gordy & Debbie

Where: American Legion Post 56, 142 N. Broadway

When: 7 p.m. April 26

How much: $10 in advance, $12 at the door

What else: Food available starting at
5 p.m.