We have a special guest Jimmy J Whitaker who talks about Real Love, and the Bond that artists and musicians have that make them life long friends… talks how We as Artist Songwriters get to DO WHAT WE LOVE TO DO… We explore many things, some that deal with gossip and things we all go through… and Heart felt songs that will change your life, if you let words heal ..Also Randy Plummer from Branson MO shares insights to his Christmas Story SNOWDEER and Songs from the CD… and lastly Ricky R. Renfro shares some insights of Branson and shares information about video productions.
JIMMY JACK WHITAKER is an award-winning songwriter, artist, and producer. He was born in Vernon, Texas and went to high school in Snyder, Oklahoma, where he was a two time allstate musician and recieved a music scholarship at Oklahoma State University. He studied classical music under Dr. Wayne Muller. His first break came in 1978 when he wrote ‘Ode to the Farmer’. It was the National Theme Song to the ‘American Farm Movement’. His first album was recorded at Studio One in Nashville and was produced by Bobby Boyd Records and engineered by Tommy Strong. He was on the same program with Merle Kilgore, Penny Dehaven, and The George Jones Band, culminating at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. He played for many members of congress receiving a standing ovation at The Hall. He also opened for Jerry Reed that year. In 1979, Jimmy Jack moved to California and co-founded ‘The Mojave River Band’, playing fiddle, banjo and guitar. The band was the house band at the famous ‘Cocky Bull’ in Victorville, California. Some of the highlights were winning the ‘Wrightwood Bluegrass Festival’ and winning awards as ‘Instrumentalist and Entertainer of the Year’ at The Apple Valley Days. During this time he did programs with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Dusty (Roy’s Son) as well as programs for St. Jude’s Hospital with Danny Thomas’ daughter Terri. He also did sunglasses commercials with Clayton Moore(tv’s Lone Ranger). He was also on programs with Pat Buttram (Mr. Haney on Green Acres) and Victor French (Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, etc.). In 1980, he co-founded ‘Renegade Band’ in Hollywood with Monte Beach and Rocky Barrett. The band immediately signed a recording contract with Jack Luttrell (The Ventures, etc.) of ‘Fox Fidel Records’. The Band recorded its first album at ‘Gold Star Studios’ in Hollywood and Stan Ross (Eagles, Beach Boys, etc.) was engineer. The songs were written by Jimmy Jack and Rocky. Some of the highlights were ‘Cold Hearted Woman’ hitting the charts and the band touring for two years, including playing Las Vegas, and traveling to Alaska. The ‘Renegade Band’ was on the same program with such artists as The Oak Ridge Boys, David Frizzell, Willie Nelson, Dottie West, and many more. In 1983, Jimmy Jack moved back to Oklahoma and played in Coffee Houses and Holiday Inns. He started doing Anti-Drug programs in schools with a group called ‘Dreamstring’ from California. Matt Kaae was the director. He also started singing in churches and working with kids during this time. In 1985, good friend Ray Peterson (who sang ‘Corrina, Corrina’, ‘Tell Laura I Love Her’, etc.) convinced him to move to Nashville. He began working with Multi-Grammy winner Gary S. Paxton for a while writing and publishing. During this time he had several indie cuts. In 1987, he went on a mission trip to Haiti for ten days and produced an album and video to help raise money to feed the children in an orphanage. K.O. White was the artist. In 1989, he also produced an album on Zane Trusty at ‘Fox Farm Studio’ in Mt, Juliet, Tn. Zane was working with Anita Bryant at the time in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. In 1990 through 1992, Jimmy Jack produced several sessions on the ‘Country Thunder Band’ and ‘Jayne Lance’, as well as another self produced album to help raise money for a Christian drug rehab center, ‘New Canaan Ranch’ in Pulaski, Tn. During this time, he did several sessions in Memphis with musicians such as Willie Hall (The Blues Brothers) and B.B. Cunningham, Jr. (Jerry Lee Lewis). Jim also co-wrote many songs with Jack Fultz that were recorded by several artists such as Rebecca Lynn Howard. In 1993, he went to work for ‘The Gibson Guitar Company’ until 1999. In 1997, the Fox Brothers recorded ‘Red Top Mountain’ which he had co-written with Daniel Johnson. It went to #1 on the Country Gospel charts. For the next several years he spent time raising his son until he graduated High School in 2003. In 2004, longtime friend Charlie Hayward (Bass player for the Charlie Daniels Band), encouraged him to do a cd of original material. Along with Charlie and several of Jimmy Jacks friends, ‘Common Ground’ was recorded at ‘Studio Seven’ in Nashville. Shane Irwin was the engineer He began touring again. In 2005, Jimmy Jack released his second cd, ‘I’m Called’, which was produced by Bill Textor. He was on the same programs with Jeanie Seely, Johnny Carver, Stella Parton, Billy Currington, Charlie Louvin, Calvary Cowboys, JoAnn Cash, Robin O’Herin, Jack Hodge, Gary McVay, Ricky Lynn Gregg, The Kings Trio, Judy Crowe and many others. By the end of the year he finished producing a new project by the gospel group, ‘Two Hearts -n- Him’, titled ‘Once Upon a Cross’. In 2006, with the successful release of ‘Two Hearts N Him'( their song ‘Hold Up Your Candle’ hit #1 on the international christian charts), Jimmy Jack also produced another project with Amy Jordyn. He also released his own Hymns cd titled ‘Flaws and All’ and began working with Christian Bikers across the country and started a new project titled ‘Ridin The Road With Jesus’. 2007 started with a bang with the release of his new cd, ‘Ridin’The Road With Jesus’, along with a 45 minute video. He sang at The Bondslaves Biker National Convention in Decatur, Illinois. In March of 2007, Jimmy Jack was reunited and signed a publishing deal with his friend, multi-Grammy winner Gary S. Paxton and partner business owner Gene Bicknell and Pax-Nell Publications. The U.S. Emergency Chaplains Corps and artist, firefighter Frank Pizzaro FDNY, recorded and made a video of his song ‘He’s The Closest Thing To A Hero’. He also had many songs recorded through Pax-Nell Publications. He also sang backup vocals with Paul Revere (Raiders) and Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers) on ‘The Comets’ new single. In 2008, T Jae Christian recorded and made a video of a song Jimmy Jack and his cowriter Daniel Johnson wrote called ‘This Is Where Jesus Would Go’. The song went number one on many international charts. and was nominated in the top five videos along with George Straight, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Tracy Lawrence. A song he had written with Jackie Cox titled ‘The Devil In My Rearview’ was released on a trucker cd by Johnny Lee. ‘The LeCroy Sisters’ also recorded a song, ‘Sunday Mornin’ Hymnal’, he had written with Eddie Reasoner’. Doing over 200 dates a year had kept him busy. The year 2009, began with Jimmy Jack recording a new cd in New York about the American Veterans called ‘Thank God For The Amvets’. He dedicated the project to his brother, who was in Viet Nam, as well as all of our American Veterans and troops. He was honored to perform at ‘The Freedom Celebration’ concert with General Tommy Franks, Wayne Newton, and Neal McCoy. He performed in five prisons in a three week period. He also performed with Gold Wing Express and The Red Headed Express in Branson, Missouri. To cap off the year, he was presented the prestigious ‘Ruby’ award by the United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians (USAGEM) music awards in Nashville, Tennessee. 2010 and 2011 found Jimmy Jack back recording in the studio and writing in Nashville and Branson. Also performing all over the country from Florida to Wisconsin, to Texas. In 2011, at Agape Fest in Texas, he recieved the Musician/Instrumentalist of the Year Award. During this time he also had several international chart songs he had written and co-written. In 2012, though his home is in Tennessee, he has been in Oklahoma visiting his mother, who is an author. He has been performing in the local area for the past several months, where he was raised. By friends requests, he put together his next cd. It is a collection of several of his favorite gospel songs he has written along with a couple of hymns from past cds. Not only has Jimmy Jack recorded many of his own songs, but he has written songs recorded by T Jae Christian, Stella Parton, T Graham Brown, Gold Wing Express, Paul Alan Koons, Dan Duncan, The LeCroy Sisters, Frank Pizzaro FDNY, D’Ramirez, Natalie Isaacs, Mary Lee, Jackie Cox, The Fox Brothers, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Amy Jordyn, Two Hearts ‘n Him, K.O.White, Paul McQueen, Dan Johnson, The Singing Nun, The Pearly Gates, Zane Trusty, Jack Fultz, Jayne Lance, Dan Glidden, Sommer Jones, Country Thunder, Rene and Edie Jones, and many more. Jimmy Jack has also written songs with many successful writers such as Greg Gordon (Elvis, Tanya Tucker), Royce Porter (George Strait, Kenny Rogers), Jim Goff (The Allman Brothers), Jim Robinson (Restless Heart), Roy August (Oak Ridge Boys), T Jae Christian (Roy Orbison) Gary S. Paxton (multi Grammy winner), and many others. He supports ‘School for Life Ministry’ in Gary, West Virginia where McDowell County is the poorest county in the U.S.A,’The Rock House Ministries’ in Rockford, Illinois that feeds over 100 inner city kids, and ‘Global Missions’ in Rogersville, Tennessee. He performs for Christian Biker groups, Military Veterans events, churches, jails and prisons, nursing homes, and street ministries.
Visit Jimmy Jack Whitaker on FaceBook
2012 marks Randy Plummer’s 40th Season to perform in Branson, MO. Randy, along with his Dad Darrell, Mom Rosie and sister Melody visited Branson in 1971 with friends and fell in love with the area. The Plummer Family Country Music Show at this time was based out of southeast Missouri in a little country community called, Knob Lick. The Plummer Family played local high schools, gyms and dances and also played several years at Piedmont, Mo at a roller skating rink/country music hall called, The Clearwater Jamboree-named after the lake there. After visiting Branson, the family was hooked and bought their theater in November of 1972 and opened May 26, 1973 on Memorial Day Weekend performing to a full house of 572. The theatre was called, The Plummer Family Country Music Show located on Highway 76 and was in business for 18 seasons. Harley Clements, who is also from southeast MO came along with the Plummer Family and sang and played guitar and did brochure distribution and worked at the theater all 18 years. Everyone in the family had their part to play. Darrell, MC’d the show, sang and played guitar and ran the business. Rosie sang, played accordion, sold tickets, did the wardrobe and bookwork. Melody sang, played fiddle, banjo, did the comedy character, Granny and sold tickets. Randy sang, played bass guitar, did the comedy character Professor Pedink, did brochure distribution and was a janitor. Melody’s husband Dale Driskill sang on the show and their son Josh sang and played on a little toy fiddle.
In 1990, Randy’s parents, Darrell & Rosie decided to sell the theater to retire and move back to the Farmington/Knob Lick area but Randy decided to stay in Branson and keep playing music. Randy’s sister Melody, husband Dale and son Josh moved to Texas and continued in music and Harley continued to sing in the Branson area and also touring.
Also in 1990, The Max Bacon Family worked at The Plummer Family Theater doing a 2 pm Sunday Gospel program and after The Plummer’s sold out, Randy stayed with them and they performed for awhile at the Foggy River Boys Theater also on highway 76 until moving to the place they now perform- the Grand Country Music Hall.
In 1991, Randy went to work for the Roy Clark organization with a group called, Celebrity Sound and they opened for Stars that were booked in Roy’s Theater called, Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre. Randy played and sang with the group for 3 years opening for Roy, Bobby Vinton, Crystal Gayle, Janie Fricke, Glen Campbell, Chet Atkins, Jeannie C. Riley, Tonya Tucker, Roger Miller, T.G. Shepherd, Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White and Buddy Ebsen. Randy got to play with a band that backed up Buddy Ebsen and he really enjoyed this true legend and gentleman. He also got to play in a band that backed up Jeannie C. Riley. After Roy Clark decided to not use an opening act anymore, Randy moved on and worked for Doug Gabriel at the Jim Stafford Theater. He also worked for Shirley Johnson with her group, Shirley, Goodness & Mercy at Silver Dollar City for at least 5 years.
Randy later got employment with The Walt Disney Company (around 1992-93) working at their Springfield, MO Battlefield Mall Store and then in 1998 started working at The Disney Store at Tanger Mall in Branson. He is presently working The Disney Store as well as doing shows and is a big Mickey Mouse fan and still collects Mickey items. Randy got hired by a long time friend, James Garrett who started a 10 am, Tribute To John Denver in 2007 and then a 5 pm Tribute To George Strait in 2008. The John Denver Tribute started it’s 6th season in 2012 and in place of the George Strait Tribute they have started, The Johnny Cash Songbook at 5 pm. These shows are at the Little Opry Theater inside the IMAX Complex in Branson, MO.
In 2011, Randy started singing and playing doghouse bass on Tim Hadler’s, Hank Williams Revisited Show and in 2012 they started a winter only show called, Ozark Mountain Bluegrass Revue at 5 pm for January & February. All at the LIttle Opry Theater inside the IMAX Complex.In 2008, Randy started releasing songs, stories and radio station liners on Charles Brady’s, Radio Active Airplay (RAA) which is an internet source for Disc Jockeys to download music to present thru their radio stations and between 2008 and 2011 Randy had at least 13 number 1 stories & songs and at least 14 in the Top 6.
Randy is with The Max Bacon Family on their, Sunday Gospel Jubilee at 2 pm and The Max Bacon Family’s, Ozark Mountain Jubilee at 7 pm on Sundays only at the Grand Country Music Hall. The Plummer Family Country Music Show started doing Reunion Shows and on Saturday, May 5, 2012 The Plummer Family will be their 6th annual Reunion Show at the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson.
In 2011, Randy wrote an original Christmas Story called, SNOWDEER and released it on CD December 20, 2011. It is the story of a 7 year old buck whose Christmas wish is to pull Santa’s sleigh to deliver gifts to all the boys and girls and animals in the world. His friend, Plum Puddin’-named after Randy-goes about to help SNOWDEER get his wish. It is on Randy’s Plum Puddin’ Productions Records and also features 6 original newly recorded songs. SNOWDEER is in the works to become a Production Show during 2012’s Ozark Mountain Christmas in November & DecemberRandy’s goal is to keep the music coming and entertaining Folks who come to Branson as long as he can. He also wants to be a witness for Jesus and show Him to the world and reaching as many as he can.
Visit Randy Plummer on FaceBook SNOWDEER
My name is Ricky Renfro. I’m a videographer, editor and I do graphics.
I started in 1979 shooting my first videos, in black and white. Learn how to edit by clipping each film splicing each clip. Gone a long way since then.
I bought my first camcorder in 2007. Filming everything at church. I was asked to edit them for church. I did a lot of gospel showcases. For Branson Missouri and Nashville Tennessee. I was asked April the 26th 2008 to film Dottie Rambo. At the Settle Inn in Branson Missouri. But on May the 11th 2008 her bus ran off the road and killed her and Mount Vernon Missouri.
And 2009 and we started Luv 2 Video Productions Ministries. With a new camera 35 mm a Panasonic HD TV camera. Filming a lot music videos. For The Best is Yet To Come Ministries, Gary S. Paxton, Jimmy Jack Whitaker, James Marvell, TheGreat Passion Play, Chris Hester, Randall Christy, Jim Greeninger, New York Says Thank You Foundation and many many more.
Done many interviews with Karen Peck and New River, Jeff and Sheri Easter, The Freemans, The Kingsmen, The Talleys, Three Bridges, Dove Brothers, Gordon Mote, Donnie Williamson and others over the years.
Visit Ricky Renfro on FaceBook
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