CONTACT: Deborah Fee Newsom, (865) 414-6887 or (865) 774-8877
Hot New Kick'nCountry Show Opening in Pigeon Forge
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 7, 2010) -- Pigeon Forge is ready to kick up its heels for the Smokies' hottest new theater with a contemporary country music theme called “Kick'nCountry” that will open July 8.
“Kick'nCountry” is a new high-energy, top-notch country music concert show with national award-winning performers, a live band and a dance floor. The show is very much an ensemble effort, a joining of forces between a troupe of seven young vocalists and a seven-piece band for the sounds of today's country.
“We have the best country show with great music and the best band in town,” said David Fee, president of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group. “It's a different venue. Our new show features professional country singers bringing mega hits from artists like Johnny Cash, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood and many more. Some of the songs in this show include, “Life Is A Highway,” “Before He Cheats,” “I Told You So,” “Need You Now,” “She's Country,” and so many more! We have a lot of talent and versatility.”
Featured performers include singer T. C. Barnette, formerly of Dollywood; singer Kathyrn “Kat” Bray, first-place winner at Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch and a vocalist for the local band Katalak; drummer Matt Duffy, who previously performed at Dollywood; keyboard player Jamie Graves formerly of “The Country Tonite Theatre” and of the Kingdom Heirs at Dollywood; lead guitarist and vocalist Charlie King, formerly of “The Comedy Barn Theater®” and “The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show;” singer Chad McWilliams from “The Country Tonite Theatre;” steel guitar player Junior Mercer, formerly of the “Ronnie Milsap” and “The Country Tonite” theaters; fiddle and mandolin player David Pierce, a Florida State Champion Fiddle Player; bass guitar player Randy Rogers; Jesse Sass, formerly of Dollywood and the “Smith Family Dinner Theater;” Master of Ceremonies (MC) and singer Kelley Stout, a 2005 Knoxville Idol Winner, 2006 Knoxville Big Star Winner and a past performer at “Dixie Stampede,” “American Jukebox” and “Classic Country” Theaters; singer Karen Tillery, who also performs in the “Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show” and has performed in over 40 Bill Gaither videos and for 10 years on Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN);” vocalist Amber Vanderslice of “The Miracle” and “The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show;” and on banjo and acoustic guitar, Kaleb Wright, formerly of Dollywood.
The show also features veteran comic performer and nationally -acclaimed former “Hee Haw” television star Billy Baker, better known in his act as “Elwood Smooch.” Baker's career is near legendary -- he is probably the City of Pigeon Forge's most honored entertainer and certainly the town's most famous local clown. Baker graduated as valedictorian of his class at Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College. He performed with Ringling Brothers for seven seasons and was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 2001.
He was a regular member of the “Hee Haw” cast the last year it was on the air. Baker says beating out 300 people for the part and appearing on “Hee Haw” “was a real kick in the pants.”
Baker began his career as part of the first entertainment troop at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., and was also a featured entertainer at Dollywood for 11 years. Baker has performed in the area for over 25 years and is a Smoky Mountain Comedy Legend. He is the former owner and performer of the down-home family variety show “Hillbilly Hoedown” in Pigeon Forge.
Fee said that especially amusing in the “Kick'n Country Show” are the frequent comedic exchanges between comedian Baker and emcee Stout.
“This show is all about the newest country music at a reasonable price,” Fee said. “We have hot kick'n songs - the latest songs by the latest artists. If you love country music you will love 'Kick'nCountry' - the hottest new show in town. This is country music with an attitude, plus, there's a lot of comedy.”
Baker said, “If I touch people's hearts and make them forget about life for a while, then I have done my job. Life is silly sometimes. Some people think I am a comedy genius and some think I am an acquired taste. I try to find the kid in everyone's heart,” Baker said. “I want to make people feel like a child again. It gives me great joy to know that I give people joy and that I have 'the love' of strangers. I have people come up to me all the time and tell me how much I have touched their lives.”
The “Kick'nCountry Theater” will hold 800 people on the main floor, with all-new seating for 75 people for food service upstairs. The theater is housed in the former “Smoky Mountain Theater (Smoky Mountain Jubilee)” on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Fee said, “'The Smoky Mountain Theater' is a landmark in this area. Elmer Dryer, who owned the theater, was a pioneer in entertainment. He had the first great theater in the area, and it became a top attraction for over 30 years of first-class family entertainment.”
Fee said the new “Kick'nCountry Theater” is aimed at adults. He said the company has done a $250,000 renovation to the existing theater that included new lights and state-of-the-art sound, in addition to making some updates to the existing structure including the new seating upstairs.
“This theater has a new demographic that we have ever reached before,” said Fee. “This theater is aimed at tourists as well as the resident population who just want a place to hang out, kick back and hear some 'Kick'nCountry' fantastic singers, great music and sizzling performances. We have a band that is hot and ready to cut loose. The energy of this show sustains its potency from beginning to end.”
The new “Kick'nCountry Show” is co-written by Alvin Robinette and Scot Tillery. It is produced by Scot Tillery and directed by Alvin Robinette. Executive Producers are David Fee and Jim Hedrick, co-owners of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group.
“Kick'nCountry” is located at 2115 Parkway (between traffic lights 0 and 1) on U.S. 441 (The Parkway) in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open year 'round, ”Kick'nCountry” will have one show nightly in season at 8 p.m. and may add a late night show at a later time. Adult tickets are $24.95, plus tax but are currently on an opening discounted rate special for $19.95 plus tax. Children are $9.95 plus tax. For tickets, call (865) 429-SHOW (7469). For more information, visit www.KickNCountry.com.
The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is the second largest privately owned entertainment company in the Southeastern U.S. The company also owns and operates shows at “The Comedy Barn Theater ®,” “The Miracle Theater,” “The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show,” and “The Magic Beyond Belief Theater” in Pigeon Forge. For more information about any of Fee/Hedrick's shows, visit www.feehedrick.com.