Grand Jubilee

Kurt L Moore

I went to their show, “Grand Jubilee” recently and saw a “newly risen” New South. New South has grown up and as with wine, has gotten better with time. They have added a new member to the group and have worked hard to give you an all-new show this year. I was happy to see the choreographies that had been created. You will find so much has been added and so much has been improved that it may not seem like the same show. It is—but it isn’t.

Trey Wilson, an 18-year-old gospel singer from Joaquin, Texas, joined the group, New South, last year and has made enormous strides in his professional development, since arriving in Branson. Trey has taken on some of the comedy chores for the quartet and is well suited for the task. Trey possesses a demeanor that speaks a funny voice, just by a facial expression or a seemingly awkward akimbo stance. He is absolutely hilarious as he, with a look of open mouthed, wide-eyed amazed wonder, keeps thanking the audience for their applause as he exits the stage. He also plays a dweebish high school guy, complete with tape-repaired glasses and ill-styled clothes. The audience loves him and responds with applause, hoots and laughter. You will too.

As I am writing this article, I have a preview copy of New South’s first album, as a group, in my CD player as background music. It is a toe tapping, kicking, good-time gospel album that is both inspiring and thought provoking. As I listen to it, I can picture the sun’s rays streaming across a church interior through stained glass, as New South, clad in snow-white robes, creates harmony while accompanied by a much used, dusty and slightly warped with age, upright piano. In another bit of imagination, I can see New South down by the riverside singing bold and glorious hymns as a long line of sinners head for the water to accept their baptism and their Lord. I especially enjoy hearing Mark McCauley, New South’s bass singer, as he takes the lead on the all-time favorite, “I Believe.” There is something special and right about it. Mark has one of those rare and remarkable voices that linger in one’s memory long after the performance. Don’t believe me? Remember the last time you heard “Tennessee” Ernie Ford perform “Sixteen Tons?” Really stuck with you, didn’t it?

Jimmy Ponder sings tenor for New South. Jimmy has a long history of successful Branson music behind him. He has been singing on the Branson music circuit for over 20 years. Jimmy is the industrial strength glue that binds New South together.

Dee Allen, New South’s baritone, has a band and a dot com called “Tall Dark Stranger,” that pretty much tells the life and times of Dee. Dee has sung with the Oak Ridge Boys and is at heart, a rocker, but with New South, as in other performances he has done, his voice is truly inspirational.

Diana Ponder, also a Branson veteran, is the female vocalist for “Grand Jubilee.” She sounds just as pretty as she looks and that is really saying something, because she is very pretty. Diana, when not doing special solos, joins with her husband Jimmy Ponder to make a great singing duo. Together, they greatly enhance “Grand Jubilee” with their performance.

Another member of “Grand Jubilee” is Todd Bradshaw, a native Missourian, who does us all proud as he sings specialty songs covering many different eras. The first time I saw Todd was with a minor show, off the strip, that had bad sound, bad lighting and nothing really came across good. Even in the midst of those much-less-than-ideal surroundings, Todd came across like a brilliant shining light. His light is even brighter now with “Grand Jubilee.” I believe Todd has finally found a home where he is comfortable.

Oh yes, one other member of the cast, who certainly makes a tremendous impact on “Grand Jubilee,” is the highly talented Terry Sanders as Homer Lee. This year, Terry is celebrating his 25th year as a Comedian. Terry spent a season with Hee-Haw and has done comedy throughout the Branson area. He is noted for his unique personalities, some of whom you will be meeting as he performs in the show. As a visitor to our town, you may turn on the TV in your room and catch Terry as your ever-helpful tour guide, “Terry the Tour Guide.” Sounds right, huh?

New South, who just completed their first album, as a group, has definitely ripened well on the vine. They are now a group to reckon with in Branson. They actually were a year ago but have now evolved into a sharper, more practiced, more talented and more grown up quartet.

If New South were to be compared to big dog groups, such as the Oak Ridge Boys, The Statlers, Alabama or others, I would have to say they are on the front porch, knocking on the door of the house where those groups live. Much of their stuff, when performing, is reminiscent of the Oak Ridge Boys. Their choreography is smooth, right on the money and appears surprisingly like Joe Bonsall and the Mighty Oaks. That probably should not be too surprising since Dee Allen of New South is the son of Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys. Trey Wilson, with his youthful exuberance, and who listed the Boys from Oak Ridge as one of the great influences in his singing career, is obviously the “Joe Bonsall” and resident sparkplug of New South and he does a great job of it. Trey is fast turning into a first-class showman.

New South is almost a religion in itself. People keep coming back to the 76 Grand Country Music Hall to see them perform. They have developed quite a following in the year, plus something since they first formed.

The first time I heard them, they were but five weeks old, pups, so to speak, barely put together and just trying their training wheels. I thought they were great then and I know they are even greater now. The training wheels are off and so are they. They will be skyrocketing to new heights as they sing, rock, swoon and croon their way into your heart, psyche and soul with their unique musical pattern, and much as the sun rises on a clear mid-summer’s day, New South is also rising and very hot.

Copyright © 2004-Kurt L. Moore-All rights reserved. klmoore@earthlink.net