The Cardinals are asking fans and friends across the country to show their support by visiting the Official Stand for Stan Website where they can sign a petition to the President, print out and post their own photo with “Flat Stan the Man” or make your own online film in tribute to Flat Stan himself.

Hamner Barber theater’s own Vance Hebblethwaite is a huge Cardinals fan and submitted the photos of our star performers, Dave Hamner, Jim Barber, and Ricky Boen posing with “Stan.”  These pictures are already posted on the official campaign website.

Jim Barber, Dave Hamner and Ricky Boen show their support to Stan Musial

Why not take a few minutes and post your own photo with Flat Stan the Man?

DOWNLOAD HIGH REZ PHOTO

Branson, Missouri
May 4, 2007

It is official….. The music of Bob Wills lives on in Branson, MO!!!!

The Ricky Boen and Texas Mud Show held a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the beginning of another new season, and to show off their new location with a Grand Opening Ceremony.

The group is extremely proud to call “home”, the beautiful, HAMNER BARBER THEATER, located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

In addition to theater owners, Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim & Diane Barber, other guests in attendance were members of the Chamber of Commerce and their ambassadors. Scores of friends and fans were also in attendance to help celebrate with these dignitaries and the Texas Mud Family.

The six piece swing band, led by Ricky Boen will take you down memory lane to the strands of tunes like, “Take Me Back to Tulsa” and “San Antonio Rose”. And what would a western swing show be without the ever popular “Faded Love”. In addition to Ricky, the other members of the band include, Darrell Boen, Tim Gregg, Cortlandt Ingram, Casey Robertson and Mark Abbott. The talented presentation of this group will keep your foot tapping as you sing along to the familiar songs. As if this was not entertainment enough, you will be amazed and delighted at the performance of 12 year old Sarah Blackerby. This young lady has a voice you will not soon forget. Also get ready to be entertained at the crazy antics of “Rufus”.

Do not miss this unique show while you are in Branson. You can attend any of the daily performances Monday thru Friday. The first note starts at 9:30 a.m. and you will not want to miss a beat. Don’t forget to look for Ricky Boen and Texas Mud at the HAMNER BARBER THEATRE, 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Yes, folks it is true, Bob Wills music is alive and well in Branson. You even get free coffee too

The Hamner Barber theater proudly announces the addition of a new morning show,Ricky Boen and Texas Mud to the theater’s 2007 line-up of top-quality entertainment.

“We are thrilled to host this incredible group of performers as our new morning show.” stated Jim Barber. “I’m a big fan of Texas Swing music, and these guys are one of the best western music groups performing in the country today. “

Ricky Boen is the 1983 World Champion fiddle player from Odessa, Texas and his group “Texas Mud” won the coveted Will Rogers Award, being named Western Swing Group of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists.

The group has traveled across the United States performing at fairs, festivals and auditoriums, and performed with major artists such as Mark Chestnutt, the Bellamy Brothers and the Texas Playboys.

2007 marks their 3rd season in Branson and their first season at the Hamner Barber Theater. “From the first song until the last, this show keeps your feet a tappin’ and your cheeks a grinnin’,” said Dave Hamner. “We love it and we know our visitors will too!”

The show will open March 24, 2007 and performances will run through December 14th.

When asked how he best describes the focus of the show, Ricky Boen replied, “It’s simple –Texas Swing done right! Several shows will do a song or two as a tribute to Texas Swing, or a taste of it, but it’s what we love, and what we do! We try to take the roots of Texas Swing from guys like Spade Cooley and Bob Wills, and season it with some more contemporary icons of the style, like George Strait and Asleep at the Wheel, and make it our own. I’ve always said that if you come to one of our shows and leave without feeling like you were entertained, it’s your fault, because we’re going to put it out there, full throttle, every time we hit that stage.”

Besides the amazing fiddling of Ricky Boen, Texas Mud has an incredibly talented group of players, with Tim Gregg on guitar and vocals, Ricky’s dad, Darrell Boen also on vocals and guitar, Cortlandt Ingram providing the other half of the twin fiddles, Casey Robertson on drums, and Mark Abbott on upright bass.

Twelve-year-old singing sensation, Sarah Blackerby, who was part of the Silver Dollar City production of “A Christmas Carol” two years ago, is joining Ricky and the boys to bring a little feminine grace and a powerhouse voice to the mix, having gained a special dispensation from school responsibilities to join the cast.

Also featured is comedian Rufus, hilariously played by the talented Tim Gregg from Rotan, Texas. He comes from a musical family and has been playing guitar since he was 12 years old. Tim has performed in professional touring bands and has opened for many national acts such as Tracy Byrd, Asleep at the Wheel, Chris Ledoux and more. Tim has written two #1 Western Swing Songs as well as one #2 song that will burn in your memory for years to come!

If you’re looking for real, honest-to-goodness, western swing music, then Ricky Boen and Texas Mud is the perfect ticket for the entire family! It truly is the best way to start your day, and with a bonus… the coffee is free!