Guitar-playing Strickland inspires crowd with words, songs WATCH THE VIDEO

Ohio first lady Frances Strickland entertained a crowd of nearly 200 people Sunday at the Highland County Democratic Party's annual picnic, by singing songs she had written for the campaign trail and accompanying herself on the guitar. 

Strickland said her husband, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who is running for a second term in office against Republican John Kasich, has been a successful elected official because he "is never far from the people."

Acknowledging the tough economic struggles that Ohio has seen in the past four years, Strickalnd spoke about the emphasis that has been placed on economic development, such as becoming a developer of green energy technology and green energy jobs.

Held at the AmVets Park on North Shore Drive in the Rocky Fork Lake area, Strickland sang several songs she has written for the campaign trail. 

"Can I try these out on you?" she asked. When the crowd responded with a loud "Yes," Strickland quipped, "Well, what else are you going to say?"

She began with a song to the tune of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" that had a chorus of "Let's keep Ohio moving, Dems are going to win four more years." 

After several refrains of the chorus, the crowd joined her in singing the words to the song. She followed that song with several others extolling the qualities of the Ohio Democratic candidates appearing on the general election ballot Nov. 2. 

Following's Strickland's speech/performance, Highland County Democratic Party Chairperson Dinah Phillips introduced Democratic candidates who will appear on the ballot, including Gary Heaton, incumbent candidate for Highland County commissioner; Bill Horne for state representative; and a representative for state senate candidate Justin Fallon.