Christmas in Branson ~ Randy Plummer ~ Jeff Salee ~ James Marvell ~ Featured Songs from Lacy Jay Syler and T Jae Christian GIVE ME A BREAK RADIO Show … Looks at Branson MO and the one of the original family’s who started it all … Joining us is Randy Plummer for a Branson Christmas…also from Branson … Jeff Sallee … and a new Christmas song By Lacy Jay Syler and a new song by T Jae Christian also James Marvell gives us some Christmas music …
2012 marked 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.
James Marvell Outlaws and Country Music have gone hand in hand for quite some time, but exactly where did it all begin? While most remember the big outlaw surge in the mid-70s by Waylon and Willie, The Country Cavaleers were years ahead. The long-haired anti-drug duo, James Marvell and Buddy Good, donned cowboy hats and shocked the country music community with their traditional country sound. Founding member, James Marvell’s musical career spans the genres of pop, country and gospel. His first taste of success came with his garage band, The Skopes in 1965. That teenage band also included, Buddy Good, the other founding member of The Country Cavaleers. With the assistance of manager/producer, John Centinaro, The Skopes released their first single, “She’s Got Bad Breath” on USA Records, but just as the song was catching on, it was banned by Scope for trademark infringement. That brush with success and a thirst for more, led James and Buddy to begin recording with the band Mercy. “Love Can Make You Happy” was a million-seller and Mercy found themselves ranking in Billboard’s Top 10 alongside the legends – The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Despite their success in the pop market, James began missing his early country music roots. At the age of 12, he learned to play guitar, eventually meeting Bobby Bare’s Uncle Johnny, who taught James about country music. However, during his formative teenage years, the pull to rock ‘n roll was too much and it led him down that musical path first, but his desire to play and sing country music returned as it did for his singing partner, Buddy Good. So the two musicians headed to Nashville, where they secured a recording deal with MGM Records and a booking agreement with Buddy Lee Attractions. However, when they got to Nashville, they didn’t conform to the conservative country music image of the time…they kept their long hair and modern outfits…added in cowboy hats and a traditional country music sound. With that contemporary look and traditional musical style – they met resistance from within the industry, but garnered the respect of fellow artists. As Grand Ole Opry Member, Jean Shepard stated, “In 1970, James & Buddy (The Country Cavaleers) had a style of music and appearance unlike anything at that time and in my opinion they were the first country music outlaws.” James continued his musical journey with solo recordings in the 80s and in the 90s found success in the Christian Country market with appearances on gospel networks CTN, TCT and TBN. Over the years, he also developed his talent as a jewelry designer selling his creations to legends such as Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Bill Monroe and Willie Nelson. Despite a musical career full of ups and downs and twists and turns, James Marvell has no regrets. His song, “Urban Cowboys, Outlaws & Cavaleers,” now in the Top 10 on the IndieWorld Country Chart continues a tradition he began a long time ago. Visit Lacy Jay Syler on FaceBook CDBaby Visit T Jae Christian on Universal Sound Records Nashville Country Music FaceBook FaceBookPage ReverbNation iTunes LinkIn CDBaby
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