Winter Texan Times

ACDG performing in the Valley this month

Details: Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:10

20200205 Absolutely Country 2 Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel (ACDG) knows how to sing. They lend their strong voices to beautiful country ballads and recognizable gospel songs when on the stage. They were enjoyed by all at a recent Showcase event. The piano player has some of the fastest fingers around.

The group has been nominated for Gospel Group of the Year in the Valley Star Awards. They will be performing throughout the Valley this month. Valley Star Awards voting deadline is next week, so try to catch them before then to get a good idea on what they are about.

Lindley Creek, always a Valley favorite

Details: Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:07

20200205 lindley creek Lindley Creek has been a favorite in the Valley for a number of years now. Currently nominated for the Valley Star Awards Family Vocal Group of the Year, the group did win the 2015 RGV Bluegrass and Folk Band of the Year.

Lindley Creek’s musical roots are strong, stemming from the Ozark Hills’ rich legacy of bluegrass and gospel music. They bring their unique and personal brand of acoustic music to the stage to delight all that attend their shows.

The group will be presenting their Faith, Family and Freedom show with Williamson Branch on Saturday, February 8 at Casa Del Sol (400 N. Val Verde Rd., Donna). There will be a performance at 2 and 7 p.m.

McAllen Wind Ensemble to premier new composition

Details: Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 10:15

20200129 MWE Aaron D The McAllen Wind Ensemble has been given the honor of premiering the composition “Angels in the Sky” by composer Aaron D. McMichael on February 11. Mr. McMichael composed the piece specifically for the McAllen group as they celebrate their 45th year of performing in the Rio Grande Valley. The February 11th concert, sponsored by Thurmond Eye Associates is entitled “Something...Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue” The event will feature a musical potpourri of concert band works from each of the categories of the old wedding rhyme.

Aaron D. McMichael’s works definitely belong in the “something new” category. Even though he has started composing seriously in just the last three years, Mr. McMichael’s parents started him in music at the young age of five. When he started middle school, he switched to trumpet and was an instant success. After graduating high school, he earned a scholarship at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi. There he met the composer Robert W. Smith, who extended a full scholarship to Troy State University. Once Mr. McMichael graduated in 2003 with his bachelors’ degree, he began teaching at Victoria High School. Since then, he has taught at several high schools and middle schools across the state of Texas including Brownsville ISD, Mercedes ISD, San Benito ISD, Mission ISD, and Victoria ISD.

Snowbird Extravaganza next week

Details: Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 07:10

The 2020 Snowbird Extravaganza will be held at the Pharr Events center, Tuesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s event will feature Next Generation Leahy, Sean Emery, John Wing, Jimmy Flynn, Valdy and April Wine’s Myles Goodwyn.

Next Generation Leahy is a group of very talented siblings whose live performances have been described as astounding and breath-taking. They have performed across North America and have shared the stage with the likes of The Chieftains, We Banjo 3, The Tenors and Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.

The siblings are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists whose live performances are filled with the high-energy, infectious music associated with the Leahy name. However, not content to play only the music of their Celtic heritage, these musicians explore many genres of music and pull influences from far and wide. Fiddle, cello, French accordion, singing, piano and French-Canadian step-dancing serve to bring their unique style of music to life.

Valley Star Wards offers great lineup of entertainment

Details: Published: Thursday, 30 January 2020 20:03

20200129 VSA desert polynesia Every year, the Valley Star Awards offers a great lineup of entertainment – and this year is no different. The lineup includes some of the best Wintertainers™ performing in the Winter Texan parks and resorts during the Winter months. This year’s lineup includes Rick McEwen, Dave and Daphne, Tom Wurth, Desert Polynesia, Maggie Mae and Dan Smith, and Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel.

Rick McEwen performs classic rock, classic country, rhythm and blues and soul music. He is a member of the Traditional Country Hall of Fame. He has performed with greats such as Earl Suggs, Webb Pierce and The Dillards. He has opened for Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dottie West and other county legends.

Dave Salyer has toured the world with Barbara Mandrell, performed for presidents at the White House and has appeared on countless TV shows. Daphne Anderson has toured with some of the greatest Southern Gospel Groups and has been described as a cross between Shania Twain and Patsy Cline. Together, they perform country music and Daphne yodels.

Second showcase did not disappoint

Details: Published: Wednesday, 22 January 2020 18:23

20200122 Showcase IMG 3810 While there were a lot of familiar names at the first Showcase, I was not familiar with more than half of the Wintertainers™ on the list to perform at the second Showcase. The activity director’s association and Robert and Billie Ferguson put on two showcase events every year to help activity directors book entertainment for next year. The Showcase allows the activity directors to get a sampling of what the Wintertainers™ can offer.

Even though I was not able to stay for this Showcase, I enjoyed every minute I was there. Only recognizing about six of the performers on the list, I was eager to see what the others had to offer.

The room was full of laughter and clapping – as just about every Wintertainers™ had a joke to tell.

It’s time to vote for your favorite entertainers

Details: Published: Wednesday, 22 January 2020 18:19

2020122 Dave Daphne promo pic Shows and dances hosted by mobile home and RV parks and resorts are attended in numbers by the Winter Texans that spend their winters here in the Rio Grande Valley. The parks and resorts spend a lot of effort getting popular wintertainers to perform at their venues. Each year, the Valley Star Awards, hosted by Robert Ferguson and the Winter Texan Times, presents awards to the Rio Grande Valley’s top Winter Texan entertainers – are as we call them, “Wintertainers™.”

This year’s Valley Star Awards will be held on Wednesday, February 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mission Bell Resort. Lunch will be available from 12 to 1 p.m.
So now it’s time to vote for your favorite Wintertainers™ - and the Entertainer of the Year for 2020.