Nashville Cowboy Church Upcoming Guests

GUESTS

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - January 26

Billy Wright

Bill Wright will be bringing his unique style of singing back to Cowboy Church this Sunday. Bill has been involved in music most of his life in one form or another. A chance meeting led to his first appearance at Cowboy Church. Cowboy Church producer, Billy Anderson, happened to stop in Bill’s antique shop in Rockwood on a slow day. Bill was picking and singing to pass the time and his talent caught Billy’s ear. Anderson had to explain the concept of Cowboy Church to Bill, which peaked his interest and led to the initial appearance.

Bill has an 11 piece band, which is almost large enough to call an orchestra, named the River Front Band. "We do it for the love of the music," he said. The band performs on special occasions and regularly at the American Legion Hall in Harriman and also at Loudon.

Bill was a square dance caller until about 20 years ago when he decided on a new course in life. He now performs country and gospel music and has just released his newest CD.

Kelly Gibson

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - February 5

Rene' Jones

Born in "L.A." (in this case, "Lower Ashton"), a small community on the outskirts of Walterboro, South Carolina, Rene' was raised singing in the church. Since his family was involved in farming, he spent many hours singing, while riding the tractors and working the land. In his late teens, Rene' joined the gospel group The Beacons. It was this gospel background which gave Rene' his vibrant and smooth voice of today. He sings with such passion, putting his heart, body and soul into his music, making his audience "feel" his songs.

After leaving The Beacons, Rene' decided to try his hand at country music. He performed in a menagerie of acts including country clubs, variety shows, festivals, parades, etc. He was a featured entertainer at the 1987 March of Dimes Telerama broadcast from Charleston, South Carolina. The first album Rene' recorded contained two duets that were written by, and personally given to him by, Paul Overstreet. In March, 1992, Rene' had the pleasure of performing in concert with Linda Davis. After two sold-out performances, this sparked a decision to further pursue a career in country music. With stars in their eyes, he and his wife moved to Nashville and embarked on a series of tours across Eastern United States. Rene's third album brought him within inches of a record deal. However, at the last minute, the "big guys" decided Rene' was too country and signed their second choice artist for the deal. Imagine being too country for country music. But. . . God had a better plan!

In 2003, Rene' felt the Lord calling him back to his roots of gospel music in the genre of Christian Country. It is totally amazing how well things work when God is in control! Gospel record label GodsChild Records released Rene's first Christian Country single to radio in March, 2005. Since then, his songs have charted on the Christian Country charts, the Country Gospel charts, the International Country Gospel charts, the top ten of the Independent Country Gospel charts, and some songs have crossed over to the Southern Gospel charts. Rene' has been performing alongside gospel greats such as The Hemphills, The Inspirations, Joanne Cash-Yates, Dottie Snow, Dewitt Johnson, Glenn Tubb, and The Fox Brothers. He has appeared in "Power Source" magazine and "Christian Voice" magazine. He and his wife were guest performers at a television taping for the program "Touching the World Ministries". In December, 2007, Rene' was bestowed the honor of receiving the Male Vocalist of the Year Award by the United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians. He was also nominated for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Crown Jewel Award for Christian Country Artist. In addition, he was nominated for the Male Horizon Award by the Country Gospel Music Guild. Rene's first Christian Country CD, "Down On My Knees" is available for purchase through Rene' or his website. Work has begun on a second CD which will hopefully be available by Summer, 2008.

Even though life has dealt Rene' some trying times, he draws from his faith in God and continues to look forward to a future that is full of possibilities. His potential is endless, and his dreams are as big as the sky!

Kaylee Rose

Kayes Rose has loved music her entire life. An avid dancer, Kaylee picked up a guitar at age 11 and found she had yet another performance passion. In a few short months and several lessons, she learned how to play songs at the intermediate level. Within a year, she was playing by ear and writing her own songs. She plays at different venues around the Nashville, Tennessee, area with dreams of making her music a successful career.

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - February 12

Roni Stoneman

Roni Stoneman is probably as well known as her alter ego, Ida Lee Nagger, the ironing, nagging wife of Gordie Tapp on the long running television show, "Hee Haw," as she is for being a great entertainer and banjo picker.

Roni came by her talents naturally; she is the youngest daughter of Ernest “Pop” Stoneman, the leader of the Stoneman family, one of the most famous family groups in early country music. In fact, Pop wrote country music’s first million-dollar seller, “The Sinking of the Titanic.” He did more than write music as there were 23 children in the house. Roni traveled and played with The Stoneman until Pop passed away in 1968, and she decided to pursue a solo career on her own. In the early 70’s she reached national fame when she joined the cast of HeeHaw, the most successful syndicated program and country music show in the history of television. She picked the banjo and sang from time to time, but it was the character of Ida Lee Nagger that made her unforgettable to millions of fans. Roni continues to entertain at numerous state fairs and festivals and still carries the title of The First Lady of the Banjo. Ida Lee has packed up her ironing board and moved on, but Roni is carrying on the family tradition having proved herself as a fantastic entertainer.

Jennifer Brantley

Country/rocker Jennifer Brantley Just finished her second solo CD with producer Bill VornDick. Bill has worked on Grammy-winning recordings and 43 Grammy finalists. Though Bill is best known as the producer who developed Alison Krauss, he has also worked with Bob Dylan, Bela Fleck, Ralph Stanley and many others. In 1998, he produced“ Clinch Mountain Country” one of the largest collaborative recorded projects in Nashville that was awarded #1 Country Album of the Year by Rolling Stone.

The CD, Break Down which was released Sept 4, features Nashville guitar hero Johnny Hiland and fiddle legend Aubrey Haney. Within 3 months of it's release, it was in rotation on over 139 country and Americana radio stations

Jennifer has been working hard in recent years and some of her efforts have paid off. Already in 2006, she has been selected by Clear Channel Radio for its new artist promotion campaign called NEW!

She won an the Honorable Mention Award in Billboard's World Songwriting Contest. She has sold over 5,000 tapes and CDs, selling 2500 in seven months at performances alone. She has recently shared the stage with Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jeanie Pruitt, Razzy Bailey, Steve Forbert, Bonnie Bramlett and Jett Williams. She has made several TV appearances in Birmingham AL and Nashville, which includes a spot on Fox's coverage of the Jett Williams benefit She has received radio play from independent stations throughout the U.S. and even Hawaii. She has played in front of crowds of over 4,000 in venues in California and the South. She has played the Thunderbird Theatre in Branson, MO, and the Talladega Super Motor Speedway. In 1997, she recorded her first full length CD with the help of producer Tommy Allsup.

In recent years, Jennifer has begun to conquer the internet via Mp3.com and Garageband. “You Left Me Crying” shot up to #11 on Mp3.com’s Country General charts, (which like radio is based on plays) within a week of being uploaded, and remained ahead of names like Dolly Parton and Nickel Creek for over a month. “ I Need A Place also grabbed a #12 spot on the same charts. “She’s Just Fine” hit #1 on Mp3’s Americana charts and “Did It For You,” “ Oh Why Did It take So Long, “ and “She Will Survive” hit #2,3,4, also on the Americana charts.

“I Need A Place” hit # 1 overall on Garageband.com, the second largest internet music site. With a chart system based on listener reviews, she also grabbed a #2 slot on the site’s Folk/country charts.

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - February 19

Alex Harvey

You might call him Delta Blues or Country Rock; depending on the song he is singing, but the one consistent thread is definitely "SOUL."

Alex Harvey was born and raised in Delta country, just outside of Memphis, TN. With a multitude of influences such as the Blues his neighbors used to play on their porches, Country his mother loved, Big Band Swing his father favored, splashes of Rock and Roll and Folk and just when you think you've got a pot full of gris gris out comes deep, intimate, soulful songs like "Rueben James" and "Delta Dawn." It's no wonder he is hard to put into one category.

Alex has been successful throughout the years, selling over 80 million recordings; each song recorded by just as diverse performers as his list of influences. Artists such as Sammy Davis, Jr., Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Eydie Gorme', Peggy Lee and Andre Constelanetz have recorded songs of his which were written for film. Other artists like Bette Midler, Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Buffet, and many more have been successful in their own careers utilizing one or several of Alex's songs; Kenny Rogers recorded over 17 of his.

Yet, with such songwriting acclaim, his creativity led him in a variety of other avenues. He has earned a Master's Degree from Murray State University, taught music for two years, which he later exchanged a career in the classroom for the stage. Not long after, he found himself in Los Angeles studying acting with classmates such as Patrick Swayze, Tony Danza, Priscilla Presley and Michelle Pfeiffer and soon began accepting roles in film and television; his first role being opposite friend and mentor, James Garner in "The Long Summer of George Adams."

Even with a substantial career in the film industry, this talented artist could not deny the passion that called him home. With a new Christian Music CD, he continues to work hard to be worthy of the ministry it has spawned. Alex sheds light on his next move by saying, "I need to deliver the message...that really moves me. I'm just gonna pray and watch for God's next opening door."

Kecia Burcham

South Mississippi native Kecia Burcham originally came to Nashville looking for a record deal, but songwriting quickly became her focus as a published author and poet. She has written with such cut writers as Earl Clark and Jim Casey although most of her songs have been written alone. She has performed with several bands in her hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi as well as venues in and around Nashville including The Earnest Tubb Midnight Jamboree and The Bluebird. She has been featured in several music videos and does demo work for other songwriters.

In addition to her music, Kecia has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and works as a middle school guidance counselor in Franklin, Tennessee.

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - February 26

Johmny Bickerstaff
Susan Smith

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - March 4

Glenn Tubb

Singer/songwriter, Glenn Tubb had his first song recorded in 1962 by his uncle, Grand Ole Orpy recording artist, Ernest Tubb. Since that time, he has had over 200 songs recorded by artists in all genres of music, such as Dwight Yoakam, Anne Murray, Charley Pride, Joe Tex, Bob Dylan, The Kentucky Headhunters, and others. One of his songs, “Skip A Rope,” earned a grammy nomination in 1968. He also penned one of Johnny Cash’s early hits “Home Of The Blues” and a duet hit for George Jones and Tammy Wynette titled “Two Story House.” Glenn was one of the founding members of the Nashville Songwriters Association. Currently he is writing musical plays, screen plays and novels., He is also a movie actor and has finished a supporting role in the action comedy “Sparkle And Tooter” that will be released in the Summer of 2008. He also had a feature role in an episode of “The Jamm Family” for Lifeway Christian. These films are used by the Baptist churches as teaching aids in their Sunday school classes. Glenn is recording once again and has a new gospel CD titled “New Country Psalms.”

Alex Harvey

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS - March 11

Bobby G. Rice
Johnny Counterfit