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 Theater 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!

Related Websites: TexasMud.com, BransonWebcast.com|Ricky Boen

Related Articles: Ricky Boen Honored in Hometown, Hamner Barber Welcomes Texas Mud, Texas Mud Video Promo

Ricky Boen & Texas Mud

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!