2008 MusicFest Entertainers
    The Miles of Memories Country MusicFest & RV Rally  presents three full days of traditional country music in a variety of forms…concerts, theme shows, gospel sings, patriotic get-togethers, plus seminars and workshops.
It all happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 4, 5 & 6 at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, Nebraska.
    Headliners for the ’08 event are Stew Clayton, Steve Mitchell, The O'Roark Brothers, Digger & Tombstone, Buck "the big man" Helton, Liz Talley and young fiddlin’ wizard Jake Simpson. We also welcome back steel guitarist Curt Shoemaker from Kansas, drummer Ron Larson, keyboardist Maynard Zipf, and, of course, Tex & Mary, festival producers.  We'll have a lively blend of old-time country, bluegrass, cowboy, swing, comedy and fiddlin' tunes...and a wonderful time for all who attend.

About our 2008 Entertainers....

Stew Clayton (Canada's Balladeer)
     Stew Clayton is a Wilf Carter protege' who does things the old way, including his music.  His ballad-singing style is plaintive, old-timey, and as pure as it gets.  His yodeling is crystal clear and unencumbered by electronics, just clean and simple.
    His most recent CD is called "Yodeling My Way Back Home," and is just one of 30-some projects he's done in his 50-plus-year career.  And why not do a yodel album?  After all, he's won eleven international yodeling championships.
    He sings about farming, folks he's known, heroes he's had, trucking, his homeland...and so much more.
    If you like your country music old-timey and traditional, you'll love Stew Clayton and his knapsack of a few thousand songs.

The O'Roark Brothers (Crazy & Country)
    Then there's those crazy O'Roark Brothers.  Good luck catching your breath as you split your side laughing during their shows!  These guys are Las Vegas veterans and make their home in Kansas City, MO, and they're common fixtures at festivals, concerts, RV rallies and clubs across the Midwest.  The O'Roarks have proven to be MusicFest favorites, and with good reason.  We welcome them back once again, thanks to your many requests! They'll be appearing on Friday and Saturday....so don't miss 'em!

Steve Mitchell (Nostalgia Served up Country & Cowboy Style)
     A favorite at Silver Dollar City's annual "Tribute to the Great American Cowboy," Steve and his group perform a wide variety of nostalgic songs--tunes from the pioneer days of the Old West, to movie tunes and old standards, both country and cowboy. Wife Eileen joins in on vocals, backed by an outstanding young fiddler from Russia and an excellent steel player.
     You won't believe Steve's tribute to Gene Autry...close your eyes and you'll think is back with us once again. 
     All in all, Steve brings a level of talent, memory music and exquisite arrangements that is guaranteed to impress even the most discerning fan.

Liz Talley (Country with a touch of Western Swing & Rockabilly)
     Energetic, personable, a talented singer and a wonderful performer...that's Houston-based Liz Talley! You'll love her lively mix of traditional country music, Western swing and rockabilly tunes.  You may have heard her on "Willie's Place" on XM Radio, as she's proving to be a favorite of XM listeners. And, she's in good company...she's even recorded a duet with Leona Williams, the wonderful songwriter and entertainer who was once wife to Merle Haggard.
     We welcome lovely Ms. Talley to the Miles of Memories Country MusicFest for her first time with us!

Digger & Tombstone (Traditional Bluegrass, Family Style)
     Digger Davis & Tombstone is a traditional bluegrass family band based in Texas.  Patriarch Digger has played professionally for 16 years and is a former State of Texas Banjo Champion.  In August 2004 Digger and wife Jeannie, along with their now 16-year-old son Jonathon and 14-year-old daughter Jamie formed "Digger Davis & Tombstone."    
      Jonathan, who is the band's guitar player, has placed third in the "Texas State Flat-Picking Championship" twice, as well as winning other various guitar contests.  Tex & Mary met Digger several years at a bluegrass festival in Texas and were mightily impressed with his talent.
      Digger Davis & Tombstone are now touring the US and Canada fulltime.

Buck (the big man) Helton (Cowboy, Country & Great Gospel)
     A gentle giant who sings and plays a beautiful song, whether it be country, cowboy, bluegrass or spiritual, you'll see Buck at music festivals and cowboy church services across Texas, Oklahoma and beyond.  He's one of the best...and, like all our Miles of Memories entertainers, a wonderful person to be around.
     Buck has performed since he was five years old and includes such venues as the Grapevine (TX) Opry, The Jones Family Theatre, The Royalle Theatre, fairs, festivals, cowboy poetry gatherings, ranch gatherings, and the Fort Worth Stock Show as his training grounds.
     His internet-webcast Cowboy Campmeeting show is now in its third year, and in years past was involved in radio work of the standard (old-fashioned) kind. 
     You'll love his good clean humor, his original material, the historical anecdotes behind the music...and of course, his yodeling.

Jake Simpson
    He's 15 years old now, but when it comes to being a seasoned entertainer, this guy's it.  He's fiddlin' Jake Simpson and our Miles of Memories MusicFest attendees have been watching him grow up...and develop his outstanding talent...for several years now.  You won't want to miss young Jake and his country selections, Western swing tunes, Civil War songs and so much more during this year's event.

Larry Dean
A talented guitar picker and a versatile singer, Larry hails from the Kansas City area.  He returns to the MusicFest with his strong repertoire of country, blues, folk and bluegrass tunes.

Maynard Zipf
A master of the keyboard, Maynard has been playing and singing for almost 50 years.  He'll be playing for your dancing pleasure at one of our Barn Dances.  Come on out and kick up your heels to his old country two-steps, polkas, waltzes and some Big Band favorites.

Curt Shoemaker
Curt is our "Man of Steel" and his expertise on the steel guitar is known far and wide.  He'll be the driving force of our Miles of Memories dance band, playing for your dancing pleasure, with such guests as Tex & Mary, Liz Talley, Stew Clayton and several of our other MusicFest entertainers.

And More...
At this year's Miles of Memories MusicFest & RV Rally, you'll also see several other wonderful entertainers, and some last-minute, surprise guests, including a group of young people from New Zealand, if all goes well.  Plan to be with us all weekend so you won't miss any of them.