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Texas Swing Music is alive and well in Branson! Ricky Boen and Texas Mud have been entertaining and amazing audiences for the past three years in Branson. However, when you visit the Hamner Barber Theatre and Ricky and Texas Mud take the stage you will not hear the Big Band sound with clarinets, saxophones and horns driving the music. This is Texas Swing....music driven primarily by the string sound, predominately fiddles, steel guitar and guitars. Remember though this is Texas Swing and of course that means twin fiddles!
Ricky Boen is one of the most energetic, talented musicians to grace a stage. This 1983 World Champion fiddle player leads this incredibly gifted group of musicians which includes Mark Boyd on guitar and vocals, Ricky's dad, Darrell Boen also on vocals and guitar, Mark Pearman is the other "half" of the twin fiddles, Casey Robertson keeps the beat on the drums, Mark Abbott is on the upright bass and vocals and polishing off that Texas Swing sound is Dave Musgrave on the steel guitar. After just one song audiences will not be surprised to learn that Ricky Boen and Texas Mud were named Western Swing Group of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists in 2001 and were honored with the coveted Will Rogers' Award.
Joining Ricky and the boys is eleven-year-old Brooke Hale. Brooke's powerhouse voice and her lively dance moves bring just a little feminine touch to this group. And ready or not Branson's only female comedian "Ida Claire" is in the house! You never know what Ida is up to on any given day and generally neither does Ricky and the boys. This unique Texas Swing Variety show definitely has something for everyone. Between their blend of amazing instrumental talent, vocal harmony, lots of laughter and fun, it is easy to see why it is definitely Texas Swing Done Right! |
