This week we welcome T. Graham Brown!

It was one of the most vibrant and exciting time periods in Country Music history – the mid-1980s. A new and exciting crop of talents were springing up all over the place – and T. Graham Brown remembers it like it was yesterday. “I remember Randy Travis and I hit at about the same time,” he recalls. “Our first singles were so close to each other. I’m not sure if it was the same week or not.

Brown’s initial entry to Country Radio was the sad and soulful “Drowning In Memories.” That Top-40 single helped him to establish himself, and by the winter of 1986, he had warmed up to audiences with the bluesy hit “I Tell It Like It Used To Be.” Other hits quickly followed, with his first self-penned release “Hell And High Water,” which became his first number one song. “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” and “Don’t Go To Strangers” were the next releases, which all became chart-toppers.

The soulful vocal stylings of T. Graham Brown were all over the airwaves, as his sophomore release Brilliant Conversationalist added more titles to his arsenal of hits, such as the seductive “The Last Resort,” and “She Couldn’t Love Me Anymore.” It was a time period that Brown sums up as something of a blur. “Doing shows, visiting radio stations and promoting our records, kept me out on the road over 300 days a year and that was a lot of traveling! This was when I was on tour with Kenny Rogers, who was the biggest thing going back then. His audiences continued to make him a radio favorite as he continued to amass more hits like “Darlene,” the smash duet “Don’t Go Out” with Tanya Tucker, and the regret- filled “If You Could Only See Me Now.”

At the same time his singles were climbing the charts, T.’s powerful voice could also be heard on radio and television. His sense of style provided the platform for a successful series of cameos in commercials for international brands such as Coca-Cola, Harrah’s Casino, Burger King, and Taco Bell. As the 80s progressed into the next decade, Brown continued to flex his artistic muscle. A well-received concert album enabled him a chance to pay homage to his early influences, like the incomparable Otis Redding, and his hero George Jones, who he teamed up with on several projects, including the CMA Award-winning Vocal Event of the

Year release, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.”

It was a gripping 1998 release about his battles with alcohol – “Wine Into Water”- which helped him introduce his music to the Christian audiences. In recent years, his first-ever Gospel album, Forever Changed, netted him a Grammy nomination, with the promise of more such music on the way.

Now entering his fifth decade as an entertainer, T. Graham Brown’s career continues to sail along at a pace that seems to suit him well these days. “I’m having more fun out there now than I ever have had. I’m not out there chasing the hits. I’m just trying to stay out there. We’re planning on doing another Gospel record later this year. And, for T. Graham Brown, it’s all about a career that he enjoys. He’ll tell you with a grin, “I’ve got a band and a bus, and I’ll keep taking the music to the people as long as God lets me. It’s what I love to do!”

For more information visit his website: TGrahamBrown.com.

This week we welcome the Statler Brothers Revisited!

The "Class of '57" presents the Statler Brothers Revisited. This quartet and their band reproduce the smooth four-part harmony that made the Statler Brothers an American institution

Their singing is modeled on the tradition of Gospel Quartet singing, but with songs related to their country roots. Enjoy great songs like Elizabeth, Flowers On The Wall, Do you Remember These, I'll go To My Grave Loving You, Class Of '57, Whatever Happened To Randolph Scott, More Than A Name On A Wall.

Join "The Class of '57" in a short segment during their show when they pay tribute to Lester "Roadhog" Moran and his backup band, the Cadillac Cowboys. They were the legitimate talents of the legendary Statler Brothers as they comically spoof their roots in country music.

For more information or tickets, call the Hamners Variety Theatre Box Office at: 417-334-4363, or visit HamnersUnbelievable.com.

This week we welcome Shoji Tabuchi!

The 2020 National Fiddler Hall of Fame Inductee and world-renowned fiddler and entertainer Shoji Tabuchi has just begun a one-year limited engagement of his new live show “An Evening with Shoji” at the Little Opry Theatre inside Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex.

“An Evening with Shoji” has performances at 8 p.m. This exclusive and new show gives Tabuchi fans an extraordinary opportunity to experience the incomparable Entertainer in the intimate setting of the Little Opry Theatre.

“It’s an idea that really took root during the Military Film Festival last November,” said Tom Forster, Senior Vice President of Theater Operations & Marketing. “We were honored to kick-off the festival with ‘Shoji Tabuchi: An American Dream’, a film that chronicles Shoji’s life story, which at its heart is the story of someone who first fell in love with country music and then fell in love with the Ozarks. What if we could do that LIVE?? What if we could unite that story and his legendary talent in the perfect venue?”

“An Evening with Shoji” takes cues from the film, walking audiences through Tabuchi’s awe-inspiring life story, his love for the USA and the Ozarks, and his experiences having played such an important role in the burgeoning sensation that was to become the Live Music Capital of the World. “My family and I have been blessed to perform for millions for over 30 years here in Branson,” said Tabuchi. “I am so excited to create this new show experience, that is something so personal, so special, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.” This unique evening with Shoji and his band will showcase an exceptional array of music from country, bluegrass, the 50’s & 60’s to gospel and patriotic plus many more. His multi-talented daughter, Christina Lingo-Tabuchi. will join him on select dates.

“This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a show that has been in the making for decades,” said Forster. “We’re truly privileged to have him with us, this type of personal storytelling and legendary entertainment is what the Little Opry was made for.”

For ticket information, call: 417-335-4832 or visit Shoji.com or BransonImax.com/shoji

This week we welcome, country music recording legend, 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 Route 3 Bluegrass Band and The Temptations!

From Southern Missouri, award winning Bluegrass Band ROUTE 3 is comprised of veteran musicians that have performed at venues all over the mid-west as well as nation wide. With a traditional sound, many originals, and great instrumentation, they bring a hard driving bluegrass sound.

Route 3 are recipients of the 2020 Arkansas Country Music Awards, Bluegrass Artist of the Year Award.

Members of the group include:

Jason Jordan: When nine-year-old Jason Jordan met Bill Monroe, he got to play his mandolin, and his love for bluegrass music began. Shortly after that, Jason began playing mandolin in his first band, an all-youth band called The Parking Lot Pickers. Jason subsequently was a founding member of Just In Tyme. He started writing and arranging his own songs. Shortly after he received an invitation to join Brightwater Junction as their guitar player. Jason co-wrote the song Captain that was recorded and made popular by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and also wrote seven of the songs on the Route 3 debut album.

Doug Clifton: At the age of 12, Doug Clifton began playing bass at his home Church, Macedonia Freewill Baptist in
the Southwest Missouri town of Purdy. Soon after, he and best friend Brandon Rickman, along with Brandon’s brother Heath and dad, Gary, formed The Rickmans. In 2000, Doug was a part of New Reflections, winners of the S.P.B.G.M.A International Band contest in Nashville, Tennessee that year. Doug has played with multiple bands over the years including The Messengers, Breakaway, The Signature Quartet, The Kellys, The Drifters, Roaring River Sound and New Road.

Gaylon Harper: In 1986, Gaylon started learning banjo at home and attending weekend festivals with friends. It wasn't long before he was playing with a local traditional bluegrass band, Jim Orchard and The Bressler Brothers. While traveling the bluegrass circuit with them, Gaylon met the Bob Lewis Family. Shortly after, he was given the opportunity to join their band. In 1994, Gaylon and wife, Katrina, started a group with his two brothers to form The Harpers. 2009 begin the biggest adventure with the Lord so far, when Gaylon and his family begin a full-time music ministry as The Harper Family. In 2010, The Harper Family won the S.P.B.G.M.A International Band competition. A highlight is when Crossroads Recording signed them to their Pisgah Ridge label in 2013. Gaylon came off the road and became music minister at First Baptist of Birch Tree, MO.

Roy Bond: Roy attended his first bluegrass show at the age of 12 and was instantly hooked. He soon began learning to play guitar and study music. Roy has been performing on stage since he was 13. He became a member of the Current River Opry show for the last two years of its 45 year run at the age of 14. After that, Roy became a member of Jim Orchard & The Ozark Bluegrass Boys where he stayed for 13 years. He has also done a considerable amount of fill in and part time work with many Ozark based bands including The Bressler Brothers, The Baker Family, Kirby Clark, and many more.

Route 3 is in Branson and performing as part of Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ Festival. For more information visit their website: Route3Bluegrass.com

A Tribute to THE TEMPTATIONS! Featuring five members, these guys are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and classy style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, The Temptations are on of the most successful groups in popular music.

The Temptations released four Billboard Hot 100 singles and 14 R & B #1 singles. Their music has earned 3 Grammy Awards and they were ranked #68 on the Rolling Stones magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all time!

These 5 men are currently performing their tribute to the “mighty” Temptations now through May 24th, at Legen

This week we welcome Rhonda Vincent and Bobby Marquez!

Bluegrass award-winner Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends.

Rhonda struck out on her own, singing with Grand Ole Opry star, Jim Ed Brown. Her opportunity eventually led to a deal with Rebel Records. Her work caught the attention of Giant Nashville’s president, James Stroud, who signed Vincent to record two contemporary country albums.

After Giant, she signed with Rounder Records where her passion for traditional bluegrass music flourished. She made her label debut in 2000 with Back Home Again, recorded with her band, The Rage. She showcases her hard-driving, high-energy contemporary bluegrass on The Storm Still Rages in 2001, One Step Ahead in 2003, Ragin’ Live in 2005, All American Bluegrass Girl in 2006, and Good Thing Going in 2008.

In 2000, Vincent won her first in a string of seven Female Vocalist of the Year Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. In 2001, she won the Entertainer of the Year Award. In 2011, Vincent released a collaboration album with Gene Watson titled Your Money and My Good Looks. During the 2020 Branson Christmas season, Rhonda produced and starred in her own show, Rhonda Vincent Christmas In Branson. She has a brand new album Music Is What I See.

Rhonda is constantly thinking of new adventures, songs, opportunities, and she loves the excitement and challenge of putting together a plan at the last minute. Anyone who has ever worked with Rhonda Vincent, knows they must be ready at a moment’s notice. There could be an impromptu recording session, a midnight drive to Canada to see Niagara Falls, a video shoot, or even a jam session aboard the Larry’s Country Diner/Country’s Family Reunion Cruise. Her motto is to always be ready for anything. It’s one of the secrets to her success.

For more information and tour dates, visit her website: RhondaVincent.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.

This week we welcome Jana King Evans!

Jana is a singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, and producer of recording sessions and stage shows. Growing up in Texas, Jana completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal and Choral Music and Music Arranging, and did Masters work in Music Theater and Music Theory at Texas Tech University.

Jana lived in Nashville over 15 years and is most recognized for her many years on national television on TNN (The Nashville Network) as lead background vocalist/vocal arranger on the Ralph Emery show, “Nashville Now”.....and on the Crook and Chase Show, “Music City Tonight”. She also can be seen on RFD TV’s Family Reunion series on the “Second Generation” show.

Jana has sung background and arranged vocals on 100’s of recordings with artists such as Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Loretta Lynn, Roy Rogers, Marty Stuart, Clay Walker, etc. etc. etc.. Jana is also recognized for her commercial/jingle career in Nashville, Chicago, and Dallas. Some of the ones to note are:

”Like a good neighbor...STATE FARM is there”
“The heartbeat of America....that’s TODAY’S CHEVROLET” “OH, I’d love to be and OSCAR MEYER WEINER” “BUDWEISER BEER” and “TOYOTA”

After marrying her husband who is a native of Branson, Jana has been a featured performer in various shows with the likes of Pam Tillis, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee, Les Brown and the Band of Renown, Doug Kershaw, etc. (And now....FINALLY...the stage of Branson Country USA)!

In the past few years, Jana has been on a national tour with the Memphis Symphony orchestra singing along with live footage of Elvis Presley, produced by Priscilla Presley Productions, and with Deana Martin in Las Vegas in honor of Dean Martin’s 100th year birthday celebration.

Jana has had success as a songwriter and is most proud of her a song called “Jump Into My Fire”.....recorded by the late great Etta James on her Grammy nominated Island Records album “7 Year Itch”.

Jana’s latest vocal project is on the newly released movie soundtrack, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”. Jana recorded along with other Nashville session singers for the background and choral tracks under the direction of Dave Cobb (Christ Stapleton’s producer) at the RCA Recording Studio in Nashville.

Besides the music business, Jana spends most of her time now in community service as the new Administrator of the Branson Veterans Memorial Garden!

This week we welcome Down Home Country!

The Down Home Country Show is the best show in Branson to hear traditional Country Music. With an incredible cast of singers and pickers, you literally step back in time to the golden years of Country Music.

The show stars: "Entertainer of the Year", Jamie Haage, and "Fiddle Player of the Year", Melody Hart.

"Comedian of the Year", Jarrett Dougherty, and all of his crazy characters, will keep you in tears. The boys in the band will amaze you with their many talents.

Featuring the best of Classic Country, Western Swing and Gospel music, this show brings to life the music you will never forget. Enjoy all the songs that made you fall in love with Country Music.

For more information on Down Home Country, call 417-335-2484, or visit GrandCountry.com.

Showtime is 10am! If you miss this show, you've missed Branson!

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 The Sons of the Pioneers!

The Sons of the Pioneers singularly built a new genre and library of music that is an American original, one that has become synonymous with the American West, and that continues to enthrall generations of listeners worldwide. Although others have followed, although others have openly emulated them and have subsequently added to the genre of Western music, the Pioneers were the first and the best. They are an essential part of Americana.

What would the West be without its own style of music? When you think of the West you think of natural beauty, a cultural mind-set and a very distinctive type of music. The term evokes the image of the singing cowboy and of songs that paint vivid mental pictures of tumbling tumbleweeds, cool water, tall timber and that ornery strawberry
roan. The West has always had its lore and its heroes, but until the 1930s a distinct type of music was not part of that lore. Starting in the early 1930s the film and radio industry changed all that forever.

From the earliest days of the film industry the cowboy has been a favorite movie subject. Westerns became the bread and butter of most early studios. When musical segments were added to broaden a movie's interest the "singing cowboy" was born, and it created mega stardom for people like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Tex Ritter and Rex Allen. Enter the Sons of the Pioneers in 1934.

The Pioneers were different right from the start. While most Western screen stars were singing traditional sweetheart songs, the Sons of the Pioneers sang about the West itself. Their songs painted unforgettable images and stories of horses, cattle, cowboys, "night herds", canyons and prairies. Many of these songs were original compositions freshly penned by the founding members: Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer and Roy Rogers (then known as Leonard Sly). Together they created a whole new library of music. The group and their music garnered millions of national and international fans through appearances in over 90 movies, numerous radio shows, major label recording projects and later television appearances.

They have accumulated more honors and awards than any other group or performer in Western music, including coveted awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Western Music Association and National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Today the Sons of the Pioneers are still mesmerizing long-term fans and creating new ones. They still play to sell-out crowds and standing ovations. New fans are attracted by the current members' musical ability and by those songs that haunt you long after the concert with the mystique of the great American West. As Doug Green said, "It's not something that is connected to hit records and charts and fads. It's just an eternal interest in the American West and they sing about it beautifully and it's written beautifully and that's something that just will never go out of style."

For more information visit their website: TheShepherdOfTheHills.com or SonsOfThePioneers.org.