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KENNY SERATT

    Kenny was born Oct. 20, 1934 in Manila, Arkansas, and was raised in Dyess, Arkansas. He was exposed early in life to what he calls "Earth Music."  His father was a Pentecostal minister whose arbor church was, in the beginning, constructed of tree poles and brush. "It was a church full of music", Kenny remembers.  This experience gave him the understanding he has of his muisic and makes it special to him.  Listening to a radio powered by a dry cell battery, Kenny taught himself the songs he heard on the "Grand Ole Opry".  Little did he know that these simple beginnings were the training he would need to become a truc country artist.

   Finally after years of playing in small clubs, he broke into the professional ranks by appearing with such notable artist as Merle Haggard, Freddie Hart, Billy Mize, and Lefty Frizzell.  A special friendship emerged between him and Merle which exists today.  Kenny is truly grateful for the help and encouragement he was given by Merle.

Kenny is the heart of country music and knows and understands the feelings of those who love country music.  Kenny's first charted hit, "Goodbyes Come Hard For Me", was written by the late Tommy Collins.  It was released on Dec. 9, 1972.  That, along with his next two hits, "This Just Ain't No Good Day For Leaving", and "Love And Honor", were produced by Merle Haggard himself.

    He started touring with Merle Haggard, and during 1973, he toured and opened all shows for Jerry Lee Lewis.  His travels have taken him all over the world, touring with all of the top stars of the 70's and early 80's.

    He has appeared on the "Porter Waggoner" tv show, Ralph Emery's "Midnight Show" from WSM Nasville,  "Country Crossroads" with D. J. Bill Mack, and many others too numerous to name.  He has had 17 chart records, and released numerous singles and several albums.  Kenny was the first country artist to appear at the "Carnegie Hall" in Dunfermline, Scotland. Dunfermline is the home town of Andrew Carnegie, who donated the money to build the world famous "Carnegie Hall" in New York City.

    In 1982, Kenny played to a "Sold Out" audience at the "Wemberly Stadium" in London, England. He did two tv specials entitled "The Entertainer" for independent television in London.  In 1983, he was named "Best International Act" at the Aberdeen Music Festival.. he has also toured and performed in Germany, Ireland, and Holland.

    The Oklahoma "Country Music Association" honored Kenny with their "Entertainer of the Year" award in 1982 and 1984.  He was inducted into the Oklahoma "Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. He was the first person to be inducted into the organization who was not born in Oklahoma.

    Kenny also won the 1978 and 1980 "Male Vocalist of the Year" at the Grapevine Opry, in Grapevine, Texas.  He recorded a live album at the Grapevine Opry in the earyl 80's.  Soon afterward, Kenny had enough of the road, so he retired to a ranch in Montana.  He still maintains a home in Rowlett, Texas, and spends his winters in Texas and his summers in Montana.

    The love of performing never leaves an entertainers heart, so in 1992, he found his way to a little Opry in Wylie, Texas.  For over 16 years, he has served as host and master of cermonies at the Wylie Opry each Saturday night during the winter months.  Kenny's voice and charm is the highlight of each show, and like vintage wine, he seems to get better with age.

    Kenny has just completed a compilation album on "Hillside Records", with Curtis Potter, Darrell McCall, Justin Trevino, and others on it.  It can be obtained from "Hillside Records or The Wylie Opry.

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EARL BRIGGS

            Earl was born in Lancaster , Texas , graduated from high school there, and forgot to leave.  He still resides not far from where he was born.  Although there are no other musicians in his immediate family, he was born with a love for music.  His first influence was at the age of 8, when he started listening to an uncle who had a band.

                 At the age of 12, his dad bought him his first guitar.  It was a “Sears Silvertone”.  By the age of 15, he had found his first love in the “steel guitar.” He  acquired his love of the steel guitar by watching the steel player on the many TV shows of that era, featuring BUCK OWENS, ERNEST TUBB, JOHNNY CASH, and PORTER WAGGONER.

                 He played his first public appearance at the “BIG “G” for some long, forgotten local star at the age of 14. When he was 15, he met DOLLIE MOSLEY, an aging local star, at the Lancaster , Tx. Opry.  She was looking for a steel player, to go with her 13  & 14 year old bass player and drummer. She hired Earl to play the steel, and even bought him his very first steel guitar.

                 In order to perfect his playing, he cut a deal with the Band Director at Lancaster High School .  He talked him into allowing him to put his steel guitar in the band room at school, even though he was not a band member. During lunch period each day, Earl would go and practice.  Even today, before rehearsal starts, he is at the Opry early practicing.

                 One of the great country steel players from this area, was JULIAN THARP. Earl finally got to meet Julian, and even bought his first steel guitar from him. He started playing at the “BIG G”, FARMERSVILLE OPRY, and finally at the LANCASTER OPRY.

                 From 1974-1976 he played “THE COUNTRY SPOT” in Arlington , Tx. with Dick Bridges.  In 1976, he joined the “Will Sherman Band” for 2 years. During 1978 & 1979, he played with the late “Johnny Duncan”, and opened for such stars as “Wynn Stewart” & “Bobby Bare” at Panther Hall in Fort Worth , Tx.

                 Other than an occasional job here and there, Earl was out of music until he  joined Cowboy Weaver at the Mesquite Opry in 1981. He stayed there until 1986, at which time he left to join a “Heavy Metal” band.  He also worked some spots on “Shooting” Jim Newton’s TV show on channel 11.

                 After many failed attempts, we finally talked him into joining the Wylie Opry in March of 1990. As they say: THE REST IS HISTORY.

                 Earl has been a member of the TEXAS STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION for almost 20 years.  In 1992, 1996, 2001, & 2003 he was named “Honorable Mention Steel Guitar Player of the Year.                                                                                                                                                                   

          He was named STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR, in 2001 by the METROPLEX COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION.  He was a member of that organizations All star Band, for 3 consecutive years, an honor that no other musician achieved.

                 He was also STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR in the COAST TO COAST magazine awards , for the years 2000 & 2002

                 Earl said that he considered the highlight of his career was “coming to the Wylie opry and having the opportunity to play with KENNY SERATT & MICKEY GILLEY.   We at the Opry, consider one of the highlights of our existence here, is having  EARL BRIGGS as a member of the Texas Legend Band.  

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JIMMY MASSEY

LEAD GUITAR PLAYER

BASS GUITAR PLAYER

AWESOME VOCALIST AND COMEDIAN

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JOHNNY ROWLAND

 Johnny was born at Fort Sill, Ok. During his formative years, his family moved around a lot

because his dad was a military man. His dad, Les Rowland, was also a music man, having played

in several bands as a youngster in his native New York. While stationed at a military base in

Graf Germany, Les met 3 important people. The first was his wife, who he married in 1959. He also

met Elvis Presley, who was stationed there, and he met Charlie Pride, who did a USO show at the

base.

 After returning to the States, Johnny was born in 1965. The family lived in Lawton, Ok.

for the next 10 years. Another tour of duty sent them back to Germany, and this is where Johnny’s

interest in music began to take roots. His dad bought him his first set of drums at the age of 10 .

They lived in Germany for the next 3 years, before returning to Lawton, Ok once again.

When Johnny was 15 yoa, his dad bought him his first guitar for a Christmas present. It was

a Fender copy. By the time he was 16 years old, he had joined his first band. His first musical

influence was Elvis Presley. Tho he still has a love for Elvis’ music, he now prefers the sounds

of George Strait, Steve Wariner, Gary Stewart, and Clinton Gregory.

He has played in local Oklahoma artist, Ralph Spears band, and also with Phil Samson. Phil

Samson is the writer of the hit song, YOU’RE THE REASON GOD MADE OKLAHOMA.

In 1988, he married his wife Lorrie, and they have a son, Zack, who graduated this past year

from Wylie High School. They moved to Texas in 1994, and except for a brief period in 1998-1999,

they have lived here ever since. During his sabbatical back to Oklahoma, he was a third place

finisher in the 1998 JIMMY DEAN/TRUE VALUE SHOWDOWN contest. The following year, 1999

he was the Oklahoma state finalist in the same contest.

Johnny has been a member of the Texas Legend Band as our drummer since 2001. In the

last couple of years, since the retirement of Kenny Seratt, he has taken over the duties of

master of ceremonies for the Opry. Johnny is a man of many hats, and is a very valuable member

of the Texas Legend Band.

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BRUCE SCHLIEF

RHYTHM GUITAR PLAYER

VOCALIST

HARMONICA PLAYER

M.C.

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MARY MASSEY

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ANNE YOUNG

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 Donnie McCullough                                                                                                                      BACK