This week welcome Stevie Lee Woods!

Stevie Lee Woods was born and raised in Bluefield, Virginia in a family with an extensive musical background. His Father, Buddy Woods was a lead guitarist and previously had worked as a sideman for such artists as Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Eddie Arnold and a number of other distinguished musicians. His brothers David and Greg are also gifted musicians who played music in Virginia and Florida after Stevie decided to move to Nashville TN in the early ’90s.

The move to Nashville ended up being a good move for Stevie as he landed his first record deal in 1993. His first top-20’s opened many doors for Stevie as it landed him major representation by such agencies as Buddy Lee Attractions and World Class Talent in Nashville. From such representation, Stevie began his career appearing and touring with such artists as Lorrie Morgan, John Michael Montgomery, Martina McBride, Diamond RIO, Brooks, and Dunn. He was also an annual guest on the annual Country across America Tour which was a Major Country Music Extravaganza.

Stevie has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as well as hosted his own Television show in the ’90s along with the recording artist Sylvia for the USA Network entitled Today’s Hot Country. In 1998, with his career moving in a fast past direction Stevie decided to stop touring or traveling due to ailing family members. He decided to move back home and help in any way he could and come back to music at a later date.

Well now he’s back, and this time in Branson! Voted best new show in Branson 2020 this Grand Ole Opry style show is everything people say it is. A new twist to Branson but still keeping true to Branson roots Nashville Roadhouse Live lives up to its motto, “Where Country Meets Rock N' Roll”. Stevie Lee Woods brings not only his Worldwide years of success and entertainment to the show but also some of your favorite artists from today and yesterday.

Join the ever-talented Stevie Lee Woods and Kathie Baillie & The Boys for the Nashville Roadhouse Live Show! This show is ran in Grand Ole Opry-style fashion, with new guests each and every week! This show has received outstanding reviews and is rated as one of the best new shows in Branson! For more information, call the Branson Star Theatre Box Office: 417-320-3418 or visit BransonStarTheater.com.

For our last show of the 2021 season we welcome Dalena Ditto!

Two-time female entertainer of the year Dalena Ditto, and her award-winning band “The Boys”, perform the hit songs and tell the epic stories of a uniquely American art form called country music.

Country music singer and recording artist Dalena Ditto has performed throughout the world and for the past 19 years has been proud to call Branson, Missouri, home.

Born in Guthrie, Iowa, Dalena began her career on the road at the age of three with her parents. Her father, Tennessee Floyd, was a renowned performer with the Red Foley Show, Lil' Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Cash and Ms. Minnie Pearl.

Country Evolution takes you back to the humble beginnings were country music began and brings you up-to-date on the incredible lives of those singers and songwriters to pour their heart and soul into telling the American story, one
song at a time. You will love the journey Dalena and her award-winning band, “The Boys”, as they perform the hit songs and tell the epic stories of a uniquely American artform called Country Music.

For more information, visit BransonImax.com; or call the Imax Little Opry Box Office: 417-335-4832

This week we present our annual Grand Country Family Christmas Special. 

All of your Grand Country favorites gather together for a special hour of Christmas classics.

This week we welcome Mary Lou Turner!

Born in Hazard, Kentucky, Mary Lou Turner began her career as a regular on the famous Wheeling Jamboree radio show on WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia. She began turning heads in 1974 with her first popular song, “All That Keeps Me Going”. She followed that success with several other songs that reached the top 50 on the U.S. Country Charts, including “It's Different With You”, “Love It Away”, and “Cheatin' Overtime”.

Though a star in her own right, she may be best known for the duets she sang with Bill Anderson. The duo teamed up to produce hits in the top 25 on the U.S. Country Charts, including “I'm Way Ahead of You” and “Where Are You Going, Billy Boy”. The pair released “Sometimes” in 1976 which reached Number 1 on the Country Charts. That same year, she and Bill also released “That's What Made Me Love You” reaching number 7 with that hit.

Mary Lou has performed in the theaters of Branson, Missouri for many years. She starred with both Boxcar Willie and Buck Trent, before joining the Grand Ladies of Country Music Show.

She has a new album “A Sentimental Music Journey” recorded with the Heart Of Texas label. The album has 13 of Mary Lou’s favorite songs including a duet with radio host, Dallas Wayne, of Sirius XM fame. Mary Lou commented, “ I’ve been singing since I was 12. I thought that a sentimental music journey was a good theme with some songs that are my favorites through the years. I also want to thank Tracy and Charla Pitcox for making this CD possible for the Heart Of Texas label. They are true friends to me and all of Country Music.”

Mary Lou was awarded the “Living Legend” award during 2021 Branson Terry Awards Show. She and her husband, David, call the Ozarks home. For more information, visit her Facebook page.

This week we welcome Rick McEwen and Kari Garrison along with Missouri 65!

Branson’s Imax is hosting Rick McEwen’s Big Show...and it’s a big deal!

Any longtime loyal fan of Branson has likely enjoyed a show that featured the talented McEwen, including The Jim Stafford Show, where he spent nearly 14 years pickin’ and singing to the delight of audiences night after night!

A sensational singer and bass player, it’s especially exciting to learn that Rick McEwen is headlining his own show on the Little Opry Theatre stage at the IMAX Entertainment Complex! The Big Show will feature this legendary artist’s favorite gospel, classic rock, bluegrass, and classic country songs every Monday afternoon from April through November.

In addition to being a sought-after entertainer in Branson, Rick McEwen has served as a producer for several shows, and spent many years performing in Nashville. His resume also includes performing with country music greats like Earl Scruggs and Webb Pierce, as well as bluegrass legends like The Dillards.

Show times are Sunday & Monday at 2:30pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Imax Little Opry Box Office: 417-335-4832, or visit: BransonImax.com.

Kari Garrison was born and raised in Denison, Texas, in a musical family where harmony-filled living room jam sessions with her dad and other family members were a part of her daily life. It was there Kari developed her love and passion for singing.

After high school, Kari moved to Virginia and over the next 5 years she shared the stage, as well as the recording studio, with many of the industry's most promising bluegrass artists. Then in 2001, following a dare from her younger sister, Kari moved to the Branson.

After performing in several shows in town, Kari took a job at "The Paul Harris Show". She went on to sing with the legendary entertainer Moe Bandy for eight consecutive years. While performing and traveling with Moe, Kari was honored to sing with him on the world famous stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

It was in 2015, Kari joined the cast of "Clay Cooper's Country Express" where she is the featured female vocalist. Kari was also awarded Branson Female Vocalist of the Year for 2017!

You can check their schedule or get more information by calling Clay's Box Office: 417-337-7123, or visit ClayCooper.com.

Missouri 65 is an up-and-coming bluegrass, gospel, and old-time band made up of five of the most talented teens in Ozark Mountain Country, Hawken Boldman on guitar, Emily Garoutte on fiddle, 13 year- old Bryar Boldman on bass, Sawyer Boldman on mandolin and Gil Turk on banjo.

While the band formed a mere two years ago, Missouri 65 is already making many successful strides, most recently hosting a show at Jerry Presley’s God and Country Theatre and opening for the Clay Cooper Show. According to the band, they just want their music to “bring folks back in time for a little while, and to cultivate the music that has brought people together over the years.”

This group formed through the Ozark Mountain Music Association. Their mission states: The Mission of Ozarks Mountain Music Associa on is to preserve and promote tradi onal music of the Ozarks for future genera ons. Our core values include kinship, apprecia on and legacy.

Every year since 2006, the Ozark Mountain Music Association has endeavored to pass down old time fiddle music to another generation of musicians. The annual music camp is an opportunity for young musicians to be trailed and inspired by experienced musicians. These young musicians develop a lasting kinship with mentors and friends while preserving the legacy of old time music of the Ozarks. Find our more information about our camps or learn about our traveling music troupe.

Our friend and performer, Kari Garrison,

This week we welcome Kelly Smith and Dennis Stroughmatt!

Kelly Smith has been a professional singer for 27 years. She knew she wanted to be a performer at a very early age. When she was eight she began singing and performing for anyone who would listen. Later Kelly started playing the piano and writing her own material This led to her joining a couple of bands and performing in local talent shows.

In 1991 her road to Branson started with a job performing with Branson's founding show, the Baldknobbers. After that, Kelly joined the cast of Legends in Concert and traveled with them all over the US and Australia as Cher, Shania Twain, and Olivia Newton-John. Her amazing ability to recreate Cher led to her being chosen to sing the voice of Cher for the television movie "And The Beat Goes On":

In 2004, Kelly also performed with Tony Orlando and his famed Branson Christmas Show, and also sang back up for Roy Clark's Christmas album.

Kelly now works for KOLR 10 TV and KOZL 27 in Springfield, Missouri as a Co-Host for Ozark FOX AM, a lifestyle program which takes a look at everything local in the Ozarks! Kelly's husband, David Smith, is also a very talented musician who also has a long career in showbusiness

You can catch Ozarks FOX AM Monday through Friday 7— 9am on Ozarks First on KOZL-Z27. For more information visit: OzarksFirst.com.

This week we welcome the Comedy Jamboree!

Winner of “Branson’s Best Comedy Show”, you don’t want to miss this amazing comedy and musical extravaganza! This highly entertaining variety show is famous for family-friendly Ozarks fun!

Comedy Jamboree features some of the funniest comedians in Branson! Starring funny guys, Applejack, Stretch McCord, and Andy Parks, get ready to laugh over and over again. The whole family will get a kick out of the audience participation. Sometimes the guests steal the show.

The Jamboree Singers; pianist extraordinaire, Tracy Heaston, and the award- winning Grand Band, will rock you with kickin’ live music, talent and showmanship. From hilarious, clean comedy and floor-pounding dancing, to today's country hits and gospel classics, this show is a HOT TICKET!

Celebrating 18 amazing years, the Comedy Jamboree is the standard for comedy in Branson. For an amazing afternoon of fun, the Comedy Jamboree is a MUST SEE. You will laugh until it hurts!

Comedy Jamboree is performed daily at 3:00 p.m., January through December, only at Grand Country Music Hall! For more information, call the Grand Country Box Office: 417-335-2484 or visit GrandCountry.com.

This week we welcome Junior Brown!

With his unique voice, more unique song writing, and even more unique double necked “Guit-Steel” guitar, there has absolutely never been ANYONE like Junior Brown. He’s an American Original.

Born in 1952 in Cottonwood, Arizona, Junior Brown showed an affinity for music at an early age when the family moved to a rural area of Indiana near Kirksville. In the following years, Junior began to experience Country music and remembers it as “growing up out of the ground like the crops – it was everywhere; coming out of cars, houses, gas stations and stores like the soundtrack of a story, but Country music programs on TV hadn’t really come along much yet; not until the late fifties.” Discovering a guitar in his grandparent’s attic, he spent the next several years woodshedding with records and the radio. Junior was also able to tap into music he couldn’t hear at home which older, college aged kids were listening to. This was possible due to his father’s employment at small campuses throughout the next decade as the family moved twice again. As a young boy he was able to experience the thrill of performing before live audiences, at parties, school functions even singing and playing guitar for five thousand Boy Scouts at an Andrews Air Force Base jamboree; then while still a teenager, getting the chance to sit in with Rock and Roll pioneer, Bo Diddley. Armed with this broad spectrum of influences, he began to develop a storehouse of musical chops.

In the early nineties Brown and his band (including wife Tanya Rae) relocated to Texas to the active Austin music scene and landed a weekly gig at the Continental club. Having worked as a sideman for many of the Austin-based acts over the years, Junior was already well familiar with the town. His unique and entertaining combination of singing, songwriting, instrumental and production skills led to a seven record deal with Curb Records that began with “Twelve Shades of Brown” in 1993. He later released two albums on the TelArc label. There were several Grammy nods, a CMA (Country Music Association) award for “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead”, movie and repeated TV appearances like Letterman, Conan, Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, SpongeBob, X Files, Dukes of Hazzard, Me Myself and Irene, Tresspass, Still Breathing, Blue Collar Comedy Tour 1 and 2, and more recently, Better Call Saul. And there were the Ad Campaigns; The Gap, Lee Jeans and Lipton Tea. As Junior became more well known, he began to collaborate on projects with some of his heroes. These include a duet with Ralph Stanley for which Junior received a Bluegrass Music Association Award (IBMA), a duet and video with Hank Thompson, as well as duets with video and record collaborations with the Beach Boys, George Jones, Leon McAuliffe, Ray Price, Leona Williams, Lynn Morris, Lloyd Green and Doc Watson. He even played guitar for Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys in a radio commercial.

Junior is currently finishing up recording on his latest album, “Deep In The Heart Of Me”. Release date is slated for Spring 2017. Junior’s performance on the promotional song, “Better Call Saul” was recorded and released both as a video on AMC as well as a flexible 33 1/3rd vinyl record included in the show’s box set from Season One. Junior, Tanya Rae and the band continue to tear up the highways and no doubt will be appearing in concert near you one of these days. Seeing Junior live is a definite must, so GUIT WITH IT ’cause he’s AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL!

For more information and tour dates, visit JuniorBrown.com.

This week we welcome Tim Atwood and Derek Ventura!

Tim Atwood hails from East Peoria, Illinois, where he began his music career playing gospel music at the age of thirteen for The Harris Family. It wasn’t long before Tim decided music was his calling and headed to Music City USA. Tim immediately began touring with country legends Mel Street, Lynn Anderson and Jim Ed Brown, before settling in at the Grand Ole Opry, where he racked up over 8,500 Grand Ole Opry performances to his credit.

Tim successfully transitioned from the spotlight’s fringe where he played piano for Grammy award winners and CMA “Entertainers of the Year” to the center stage where he performs his high energy stage show for eager audiences all over the world. Tim Atwood is known as an Entertainer’s Entertainer — one of the highest compliments you can receive in the music industry. And why not? This multi-award-winning piano virtuoso learned from the best. With recent television appearances on the Hallmark channel’s Home & Family show, Fox News, RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner and the television series Country Family Reunion: Another Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting, new converts to Tim’s music have discovered what long time Atwood fans have known all along: Tim Atwood has a voice! Tim is a stylist who feels every song he sings, and in turn, the audience feels it too.

Perhaps Grammy award winner and Grand Ole Opry matriarch Jeannie Seely summed up Tim’s talents best when she said, “Tim Atwood will have his audience laughing at one of his many road stories delivering his lines with a quick wit and country boy charm. Then he’ll fire that audience up like only he can – bopping his head and raking his foot across those keys – the audience clapping their hands and singing along, and just like that, he belts out a poignant ballad that puts a lump in their throats and a tear in their eyes. Tim Atwood is an entertainer!”

With recent nods for Entertainer of the Year by the Reunion of Professional Entertainers and Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists, Tim received the 2017 R.O.P.E. award for “Musician of the Year” and was named by the Genuine Country Music Association as their 2017 “Fan Favorite.” In June 2018, Tim was inducted into the ALM Musician’s Hall of Fame. While he enjoys performing his own show and recording his own projects, Tim continues to be a sought-after studio musician in Nashville.

For more information and tour dates, visit TimAtwood.com.

When Derek Ventura who enjoyed major success early in his career as lead singer of the iconic group, The Drifters decided 5 years ago to hone his talents in the Live music capital of the world, Branson, Missouri, little did he know the opportunities that would await him. Having his own show in tribute to his days with the legendary group The Drifters, called “Doo Wop and The Drifters, not only garnered rave reviews from tourists and locals alike, but also won the group “Male Singing Group of the year” at the Branson Show Awards in 2018 racking up various nominations at the Branson Terry Awards recently.

If that’s not enough, Derek met the challenge to produce a new show, critics are presently raving about called, “Dancing in the Streets – A Motown Revue”, which tells the true story of how a man who borrowed $800 from his family kitty, turned it into the empire we know today called Motown Records. A high-energy, fun show covering the music of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many others.

In 2020, realizing Branson needed it’s own showplace for Rhythm and Blues shows, he and his wife and business partner, Kay Ventura decided to open the “Ruby Room Theater and Lounge” in the Majestic Steakhouse building where both shows appear nightly.

For more information, call the Majestic Box Office at 417-222-4499; or visit TheRubyRoomAtTheMajestic.com.

This week we welcome Matt Gumm and Bobby Marquez!

Matt Gumm literally grew up around variety shows at Lake of the Ozarks, so at the age of 30, he takes to the stage like a seasoned pro. Of course, growing up with Thom "Gabby" Gumm as your dad & mentor didn't hurt. In fact, he learned so well, Matt was added to the Main Street Opry act at the age of seven.

Long before that, though, he seemed to know what he was going to do with his life. His mom Sandy will tell you that he spent everyday up on his bed, with a make-shift curtain that hung from the ceiling, with wigs and props doing his "show". It was in these very early years that a family friend thought it would be "funny" to buy Matt a toy set of drums. Well, the joke was on him, because Matt started playing those things and he was a natural! All that practice may have been painful at times for the family, but it definitely paid off.

While in High School, Matt was the only student chosen out of his class to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy because he excelled in Music, Art & Drama. Fresh out of high school, Matt spent 5 years developing his own reputation as a gifted comedian and musician on the stage of the long-running Lee Mace's Ozark Opry in Osage Beach, Missouri. Once again, his family ties drew him back to work along side his dad and mom at the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach. There he honed not only his comedy skills with his dad, but he came into his own with his impersonations. He's brought the house down with his take on such artists as Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart & Sammy Davis, Jr., just to mention a few.

Clay Cooper caught his act and knew he wanted to be the first to introduce Matt to Branson. Currently, he is the craziest addition to Clay Cooper's Country Express where you can experience Matt's family friendly, high-energy

fun, visual humor, and surprising abilities on some unusual instruments. When he's not performing, he enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, daughter Norah Sue, and son Nash.

Matt has put together his own show titled “Matt Gumm & Company”. The show features his Dad, Sister and Travis Spratt for two-hours of hilarious comedy and great music. The next presentation of this show will be 7:30pm, November 13.

For more information call 417-332-2529; or visit ClayCooper.com or MattGumm.com

Bobby Marquez has a charismatic smile and refreshing, heartfelt honky-tonk style that stirs an energy with audiences around the globe. That music has earned the Texas-born singer/songwriter some notable honors with a Grammy considered song, multiple Academy of Western Artists Awards, CMA of Texas Awards and induction into the legendary Wheeling Jamboree.

Bobby Marquez has charted songs on the Music Row Chart, Texas Music Chart and several overseas music charts with tours across the U.S., Australia, Ireland and beyond.

Bobby Marquez has been seen on national television shows, Larry’s Country Diner, The Penny Gilley Show, Better Nashville, Cheyenne Country, Studio 23 Nashville and Country Fix. His music is heard worldwide on radio. Satellite listeners can tune-in to Willie’s Roadhouse to hear Marquez’s music as well.

Marquez’s songwriting has been recorded by everyone from Alan Jackson and Ty Herndon to George Strait, Johnny Rodriguez and Rhonda Vincent. Bobby continues to tour, performing to crowded dancehalls, festivals and large concert stages which hehas shared with Ray Price, Mel Tillis, Johnny Rodriguez, Martina McBride, David Ball, Janie Fricke, Johnny Lee and Lonestar... just to name a few.

Bobby is also the host and founder of the annual St. Jude Children’s Hospital benefit, Country With Heart, as well as the Country Campfire Pickin’ virtual concert series.

For more information, fans can follow Bobby at www.bobbymarquez.com or www.facebook.com/bobbymarquezmusic.