Always Loretta is a theatrical show dedicated to honoring the timeless music and legacy of country music legend, Loretta Lynn. Led by Loretta’s original Coalminers band and featuring Emily Portman, the show recreates Loretta’s greatest hits and unforgettable moments. With heartfelt performances and authentic storytelling, Always Loretta celebrates the life and impact of one of country music’s most iconic voices.
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Originally recorded by Loretta Lynn and Ernest Tubb in 1969. Recreated by Emily Portland and Taylor Malpass in 2024 at the Lincoln Jamboree in Hodgenville, KY
It was a transformative moment when two young brothers discovered their grandfather Malpass’ LPs collection. Drawn like a moth to a flame, the classic-filled treasure trove from the golden era of traditional country music gathered little dust in the Malpass household. Chris and Taylor studied the brother-harmony bluegrass duos of Jim & Jesse, the Louvin and Wilburn Brothers and bathed in the sounds of Hank, Lefty, Charlie, and Merle. There was nothing in the modern marketplace that fed The Malpass Brothers’ soul more than the music of this bygone era.
The early years were filled with playing gospel songs for church congregations, joining music legend, Don Helms on the road and playing local gigs. Shortly after high school they found themselves on a bus with the legendary Merle Haggard, where they would land the coveted spot as his opening act for seven years.
In 2011, Haggard produced The Malpass Brothers’ debut album, Memory That Bad for Hag Records. The title track hit number 6 on the CMT Pure Country Countdown and remained in the charts for several weeks. In 2015, bluegrass legend, Doyle Lawson produced their sophomore, self-titled album, and in 2017 released a self-produced live album, Live at the Paramount, which captures the energy and excitement of their highly polished, traditional country music show.
Their 2023 release, Lonely Street saw Lawson back in the producer’s chair alongside Ben Isaacs. It is their strongest project to date. Notably engineered by the late Grammy Award-winning Mark Capps under the oversight of Executive Producer and longstanding Malpass manager, Dan Mann, this 12-song album is filled with songs that sound as if they were curated from a 50s/60s/70s smoke-filled, classic country jukebox. On it, Chris got the chance to stretch as a writer taking the opportunity to co-write with noted writers like Dickey Lee, Shawn Camp, Conrad Fisher and Taylor Dunn. The album also includes cover nods like “Love Slips Away” by Merle Haggard and Jeannie Seely’s “We Don’t.”
The Malpass Brothers are anything but a “throwback” cover group. Instead, they are the “real deal.” Mentored and credentialed by the biggest legends of country and bluegrass, the brother duo continues to deliver new traditional music for modern times.
Their Grand Ole Opry debut was in December of 2018 and have returned to the hallowed circle more than a dozen times since. They’ve headlined international festivals in Ireland, Switzerland, and Scotland, and been featured on multiple national television shows including TBN’s “The Huckabee Show,” RFD’s “Country’s Family Reunion,” and “Larry’s Country Diner” — a compilation of performances from the later was released in 2024.
The Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience is a rare newcomer to traditional pop...fusing a big band spirit with an inventive edge...at once more risky than Buble, more modern than Sinatra. Shaun, an Emmy award-winning crooner (and lead singer of the internationally known vocal group, Tonic Sol-fa) indelibly stamps vocal jazz and swing with a contemporary punch - to the delight of both traditionalists and newcomers - emerging as an original voice in the continuing tradition of the American singer.
Appalachian Road Show is a visionary acoustic ensemble, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass and folk songs, as well as offering innovative original music, all presented with a common thread tied directly to the heart of the Appalachian regions of the United States. GRAMMY-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy, joins forces with GRAMMY-winning fiddler Jim VanCleve, fresh off of his recent stint touring with multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner, as well as esteemed vocalist and mandolinist Darrell Webb, who has recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent, among many others. The group also includes bassist Todd Phillips, an acknowledged legend in bluegrass music circles, with two GRAMMY wins and four GRAMMY nominations under his belt, along with 23-year-old “old soul” guitarist Zeb Snyder, whose fierce and versatile playing recalls Doc Watson and Norman Blake as readily as it does Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
https://www.theappalachianroadshow.com/
Stephen Bargatze has been a professional magician for over 40 years. He is an International Brotherhood of Magicians Champion; a 2-time Comedy Award winner; and International Brotherhood of Magicians-First Place Close Up Award Winner.
He has worked in a variety of venues, theatres, comedy clubs, churches and corporate functions of all types. But even with all the awards and accolades and success he is most recently known as “Nate’s Dad”. His son, comedian Nate Bargatze, has had unprecedented success on Network Television, Netflix, and sold-out shows. It’s an added bonus for Nate’s fans when Stephen appears, as he often does, as his opening act!
Stephen’s genuine personality and keen comedic timing endears him to audiences everywhere. He masterfully creates a strong relationship with his audiences as they are no longer merely spectators but find themselves caught up in the comedy and uniqueness of Stephen’s very own brand of clean comedy and magic.
https://magicofstephen.com/
Jason has shared his style of sleight-of-hand, illusion, and humor with performing arts centers, corporate audiences, universities, and for the United States Armed Forces all over the world.
He has been featured on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Stabal TV, Huckabee, and in The New York Times. Jason is the creator and star of the TV series Magician in the Kitchen. He is also the star of “Jason Michaels Mobile Magic,” the interactive magic show that happens on your phone on the Richcast app.
Additionally, Jason was the creator of the magic experience at Nashville’s famed House of Cards and has entertained VIPs including Martina McBride, Kix Brooks, Jack White, Wynonna Judd, Brothers Osborne, Rodney Atkins, Dick Smothers, and more.
Born of a rock and roll front man and a musical theater queen with a knack for harmonies, Jonny was bound to be a musical child.
At about 2 years old, Jonny was already entertaining family with his singing. Even when singing a terribly out-of-order rendition of the ABCs, there was still passion and confidence behind the performance. By age 10, he had taken drum lessons and began playing with a local band giving him a taste of the live music scene where he felt at home. But there was always a burning desire to take the stage as a front man.
At age 14, Jonny took the stage for the first time as The Man In Black - Johnny Cash. Alongside his father, who was performing as jumpsuit-era Elvis Presley, Jonny threw on a cheap wig, grabbed a prop guitar and got up on stage and gave his very first "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." Though the first show went over remarkably well with the audience, there was plenty of room for improvement, and Jonathan didn't waste any time taking up guitar lessons, growing out his hair, and studying film.
Before long, he had a well-polished Johnny Cash act and secured the lead in an established Johnny Cash/June Carter tribute band known as June's Got the Cash. With the Cash tribute mastered, he would later move onto add to his repertoire a 50's Elvis tribute. In his 2nd Elvis competition, Jonny was took home trophies for 2nd place and “Fan Favorite.”
Having a desire to begin doing his own thing, Jonny began writing, recording, and releasing his own music. With the absence of a band, he went on to record each individual part of his original tunes spanning 6 different instruments. Within a short while, Jonathan put together his dream 5-piece show band, Jonny Lyons & the Pride traveling North America captivating his audiences with a whole lot of stage presence and a touch from the past.
https://www.jlyonsmusic.com/
The Eaglemaniacs is comprised of a group of professional studio musicians who passionately perform the music of the Eagles and Don Henley with exceptional musical precision. You’ve heard them playing on songs by the greatest stars in the spectrum of American music from Willie Nelson, to Kenny Loggins, Leonard Cohen, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Donna Summer, Vince Gill, Peter Cetera, Barry Manilow, Faith Hill, Wynonna Judd, Brian McKinight, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Steve Winwood, CeCe Winans, Glen Campbell, John Secada, Englebert Humperdinck, Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels, Stephanie Mills, Andy Williams, B J Thomas, Collin Raye, Bob Carlisle, Ricky Scaggs, Garth Brooks, Chaka Kahn, Marc Cohen, James Ingram, Keb Mo, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers and so many more. But when they get together to jam and play for themselves, they’re simply Eaglemaniacs.
After stepping into the spotlight with her debut single “Water Down The Whiskey”, climbing to the #29 spot on Music Row charts, four-time Carolina Country Music Award winner and Angier, NC native Paige King Johnson moved on to her next projects working alongside country legend Pam Tillis. Together they created multiple video projects which premiered on Country Music Television (CMT), RFD-TV, Heartland TV, Cowgirl Magazine & Newsmax for Johnson’s radio-charting singles “Just Like You”, “Baby Don’t”, and “Famous Enough” from her debut album, Honky Tonk Heart. Among other projects, Paige was named the first musical ambassador for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and worked alongside them to promote agriculture through her music and travels. She has also shared the stage with many great artists over the years such as Kane Brown, Joe Nichols, Kylie Morgan, Ian Munsick, Oliver Anthony, Gabby Barrett, Randy Houser, Diamond Rio, Scotty McCreery, Neal McCoy and more.
Phil Madeira is a Nashville-based musician, artist, songwriter and producer.
For decades, Phil has been a mover and shaker in Nashville, writing songs for Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Keb' Mo', and many others. While still continuing his coveted position in Emmylou Harris' Red Dirt Boys, Phil has been quietly releasing solo records, which recently brought him to the famed Newport Jazz Festival with his trio. A musician's musician, this great singer songwriter will dazzle you and move you with his songs. Recently touted as "the love child of Randy Newman and Vince Guaraldi", Phil continues to win over new fans everywhere.
Red Dirt Boys are the quartet of close friends known for backing Emmylou Harris for the last decade.
Let’s clear one thing up- to some folks “Red Dirt Boys” sounds like Bluegrass or Texas Bro Country. But it’s just the name Emmylou gave her rockin’ quartet back in 2008. Think New Orleans, Little Feat, The Band, Dr John, Ry Cooder and you’re on the right track.
The collaborative efforts of these four gentlemen covers several decades, and their overlapping bands and projects brought them to the attention of Emmylou Harris, who named them after her Red Dirt Girl record. When the band asked her if they could use the name Red Dirt Boys for their debut record, she replied, “Only if I can sing on it.”
Chris Donohue, Will Kimbrough, Phil Madeira, and Bryan Owings are the Red Dirt Boys. Their collective resume reads like a history of popular music, having worked with artists such as Taj Mahal, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Emmylou, Keb’ Mo’, Mavis Staples, Jimmy Buffet, Toby Keith, Barth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Tom Jones, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, The Flying Burrito Bros, Neil Young, Sixpence None The Richer, Phil Keaggy, Amy Grant, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Elvis Costello, John Scofield, and many others.
The band still tours with Emmylou, and besides serving their special brew of New Orleans-influenced music, they often collaborate on the solo efforts of Phil Madeira and Will Kimbrough.
Infectiously happy to be together, the joy that exudes from the stage when these dear friends perform together is palpable. You can cut it with a knife.
