Darrell Bauer

Darrell and Shannon Bauer own the Wheatland Cafe and Catering in Hudson, KS. They prepare all homemade items such as bread, real potatoes, ice cream, pies, cinnamon rolls, cakes, cookies... They get their meats in fresh and cook them slow with lots of love. When you go to all of this preparation for caterings and their Sunday Buffet, you have to pull some all nighters. During a busy catering season seven years ago, Darrell had to be up all night with a hog and homemade bread. He decided to pick up Shannon’s guitar and started playing around on it. He had no knowledge of the guitar, but began teaching himself how to play using one of Shannon’s old guitar books. Thus began the music habit. Months later, he began inviting friends in to play rounds with him. They were all very skilled, but Darrell was still learning. He started doing this on a regular basis, timing it around his late night baking. Of course the other guys didn’t mind, they loved sampling his wares. As Darrell’s guitar skills improved, he began writing songs. He started sharing them with his wife. She was shocked and pleased her husband could express himself in this way. She took his songs and polished them up for him, and they have been making music ever since. What started out as a hobby has now grown into a small business on the side. Music has changed the lives of this couple. Their love for each other and the music they share has blossomed into something special and they want to share it with everyone. Darrell and Shannon host an annual Ham & Jam in the park in their hometown of Hudson, KS. This means songwriters and music lovers come to Hudson to listen to original songs and eat Darrell’s down home cookin’! This includes hog, cheesy potatoes, southern style green beans, honey wheat bread and homemade ice cream (of course Darrell makes his own barbecue sauce). Hudson is a town of 125 people and the attendance of the Ham & Jam is approximately 250 people. They are going to throw another hog on the fire just in case you decide to show up. They would love to see you!