Entertainment Gold In Georgia

January 2016

Before long, motorhomers will set their GPS units for Perry, Georgia, site of FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, March 17-20, 2016. If you plan to attend the Family Reunion, you’ll be able to “Find Your Pot Of Gold In Perry,” as the convention theme suggests — a nod to St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

Adding to the whirlwind of exhibits, seminars, and overall good times scheduled during the event at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, the live entertainment schedule will provide yet another dimension.

Comedian Lee Marvin Adams starts things off on Friday evening, March 18. Called “a cowboy at heart,” he is an award-winning member of Toastmasters International and a former newspaper columnist. Lee’s specialty is painting pictures with words. He captivates audiences with a wide range of humorous observations and “somewhat informed points of view,” many of them based on his own life and experiences. His stand-up comedy work is said to be free of edgy material and guaranteed to tickle funny bones.

Growing up as one of 14 children, Lee’s life seems to have been made for comedy from an early age. “I had to keep older siblings laughing to avoid being picked on, and the younger ones laughing so they wouldn’t tell on me,” he quipped. Into adulthood, he amassed many more memories as a husband, a father of three, and a 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran. “Most things are funny, depending on how you look at them,” he said.

Lee’s comedy career has taken him to 30 countries and all across the United States. He has made multiple trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places to entertain U.S military members serving abroad. He has performed with a diverse group of comedy talents, among them Rob Schneider, Charlie Murphy, Mike Epps, and Paul Rodriguez. He also has landed some acting roles on television and the big screen. Away from the stage, Lee is a poet and an author of several acclaimed short stories, many of them literary versions of his stage material.

On Saturday, March 19, be prepared for a night of “Country Unplugged,” starring Mark Chesnutt, Lorrie Morgan, and Joe Diffie.

Years ago, country great George Jones described Mark Chesnutt, a Texas newcomer, on an album liner: “This kid from Beaumont is the real deal.” Those were prophetic words, as the country singer with the distinctive voice went on to achieve four platinum albums, five gold albums, 14 number-one singles, and 23 top-10 singles. If you ask Mark himself, he’ll tell you, “It’s the music and the fans that have kept me around this long.”

Remaining true to himself as a traditional country artist, while keeping pace with the ever-changing country recording landscape, Mark has a talent for picking songs and delivering them with a heartfelt style. In the words of music critic Robert K. Oermann, Mark “gave honky-tonk music back its soul.” His songs were some of the 1990s’ most memorable, from the fun-tempo “Bubba Shot The Jukebox” to the emotional ballad “I’ll Think Of Something.” Other hits include “Blame It On Texas,” “Old Flames Have New Names,” “I just Wanted You To Know,” “Gonna Get A Life,” and his version of Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”

Despite his recording fame, Mark’s first love is performing for a live audience. “I just make records because I want people to come see my show,” he said. “Recording music for folks to just listen to music is great, but I’ve got to be out there on stage making it.”

Lorrie Morgan was barely a teenager when she made her first major appearance, singing “Paper Roses” with her father, country star George Morgan, at the Grand Ole Opry. When George passed away in 1975, Lorrie continued touring with her father’s band to keep his memory alive. She also won over countless new fans with her own music.

Lorrie has sold more than 10 million albums throughout her country music career. From 1989 to 1997 she claimed 14 top-10 singles on Billboard magazine’s country chart, including three number-one hits: “Five Minutes,” “What Part Of No,” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She was named TNN/Music City News Female Artist of the Year four times, received Country Music Television’s Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1990, and Album of the Year for “Common Thread” in 1994. At age 25, she became the youngest member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry.

Lorrie has partnered with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, and The Beach Boys. She also has performed on Broadway and abroad.

Joe Diffie, another platinum-selling musician, dominated the charts during a hot streak in the 1990s, and he has never slowed down. He continued writing, touring, and recording myriad projects, including his critically acclaimed 2010 bluegrass album “Homecoming,” and his recent “Roots And Boots” acoustic tour. He also has collaborated on a CD, “All In The Same Boat,” with fellow country artists Sammy Kershaw and Aaron Tippin.

Joe’s chart-toppers include the singles “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock From The Sun,” and “John Deere Green.” He has recorded 13 albums and claims more than 20 top-10 singles. He also has written hits for other country artists, including Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty, and Jo Dee Messina. In 2013, Jason Aldean released “1994,” a single that paid tribute to Joe and many of his songs, which placed the singer squarely back in the minds and hearts of country fans.

Pamela G. and Jackie B. have been described as “the sweethearts of Mountain View, Arkansas.” They will perform a variety of musical numbers spanning several genres for the evening entertainment crowd on Sunday, March 20. Pamela is adept at the mountain dulcimer, guitar, and spoons; Jackie shines on the piano. They are vocalists also, producing memorable harmonies. The women recently appeared in Branson, Missouri, among other venues.

Family Reunion attendees can look forward to even more entertainers and activities during the daytime hours. These include multiple performances by the Frustrated Maestros, a group of singers and musicians from FMCA’s numerous Frustrated Maestros chapters, who practice and perform at Family Reunions and other events. The Maestros will perform on the daytime entertainment stage for Coffee Hour on the mornings of March 18, 19, and 20, and during the Ice Cream Social on March 19. They’ll make another daytime appearance as well.

Planning for Perry continues, but as of press time, other daytime concerts include an acoustic music jam, in which Family Reunion attendees are invited to participate.

Visit FMCA.com regularly for details about entertainment and other Perry Family Reunion highlights as they become available. An event program containing schedules, activity descriptions, maps, and more will be available for download on FMCA.com and also distributed on-site.