Winter Texan Times - Activities & Entertainment: Parks Calendar

One week left to cast your ballot for your favorites

Ballots for the Valley Star Awards are rolling in. If you want to make sure your voice is heard, you need to vote for your favorite Wintertainers™. This year’s categories are Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Duet Musical Group of the Year, Vocal Group or Choir of the Year, Individual or Small Band Act of the Year, Novelty, Comedy, or Variety of the Year, Rock N Roll Band of the Year, and Country Band of the Year. There is also the coveted prize of Entertainer/Group of the Year. This award is for your top favorite and can be anyone.

Nominees for the categories include Curt James, Diego, Rick McEwen, Rusty Rierson; Brenda Coin, Elaine Nelson Show, Naomi Bristow, Ruthi; Dale & Gayle, Diego & Edith; Spittin’ Image; Ambassadors of Grace, Men of A Chord, Razz Ma Tazz, Senior Ambassadors; Helen Russell & Co., Jason Whorlow, Kai, Ron Moshier; Castaway, Festus Lives Comedy Show, Pat Davison & Tess, Redneck Revival; Cruisers, Night Howlers, Renaissance Rockers, Rte 66; Baker Family, Goldwing Express, Lindley Creek, and Steven May & Southern Knights.

VSA lineup includes Redneck Revival

Redneck Revival web Be ready to have some laughs at this year’s Valley Star Awards set for Wednesday, February 15th. This year’s show will include Redneck Revival – a duo that is bound to bring some bustling laughter to the crowd.

Redneck Revival – also known as Bob and Alta Courtney – are often said to bring their own supply of oxygen to their shows, just in case someone might need some breaths of fresh air.

The Piano Man joins the VSA stage

2020 Jason Whorlow web The Piano Man – Jason Whorlow – joins this year’s Valley Star Awards stage lineup.

Jason Whorlow has been entertaining Winter Texans for eight years. He has been nominated and won several awards including Best Solo Variety Act of the 2017 Valley Star Awards. He has become in high demand for his extremely versatile, unique, and interactive show.

Winnie Brave joins Valley Star Awards lineup

Winnie Brave PRINT Armed with two guitars and an old suitcase drum, to say this Americana duo is greater than the sum of their parts would be a vast understatement. Winnie Brave has been hailed as one of Alberta’s best kept secrets. Known for their dynamic and energetic shows, Winnie Brave is a sonic force to be reckoned with.

Regan James performing at Valley Star Awards

ReganJames web Regan James has been in the Rio Grande Valley for about 11 years and is attracting attention at different venues with his high energy, great entertainment and music. Regan James (Swedeen) lives in Minnesota with his wife Char in the summer months and has made his home in the Valley since 2013 in the wintertime.

12th Valley Star Awards is February 15

The 12th Annual Valley Star Awards is just around the corner. The event will be held at Mission Bell Resort on Wednesday, February 15th. The show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission. Mission Bell will have lunch available for attendees for a small price before the show at 12 p.m., or just get there early to save a seat up front.

This year’s lineup, as always, includes some Winter Texan favorites, including some of those that have been nominated. They are Nu-Blu, The Piano Man Jason Whorlow, Ron Moshier, Winnie Brave, Regan James, and Redneck Revival.

11th Annual Valley Star Awards was one to remember

20220223 VSA Helen Russell Long-time favorites, soon-to-be favorites and an extremely wide variety of Wintertainers made the 11th annual Valley Star Awards at Mission Bell RV Park one that raised the bar for future events. If you didn’t get the chance to attend and see the entertainment – Johnathan Len, Justin Terry, Mountain Highway, Ron and Jan Easter, Rebecca and Jaime Bagwell, and Curt James – you should make a point to catch them somewhere.

VSA ballots are rolling in

20220126 Valley Star Awards HMiller 41 Ballots for the Valley Star Awards are rolling in – make sure your voice is heard and vote for your favorite Wintertainer™. This year’s categories include Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Family Vocal Group of the Year, Musical Group of the Year, Duet Musical Group of the Year, Rock n Roll Band of the Year, Country Western Band of the Year, Novelty or Comedy Act of the Year, and Individual/Small Band/Variety Act of the Year. As always, you have a write-in option for your favorite Entertainer or Group of the Year.

Valley Star Awards Postponed

Due to the inclement weather and power outages, the Valley Star Awards have been postponed. Originally scheduled for today, the show will now be held next week, Wednesday, February 24. Event will still be held at Mission Bell RV Resort in Mission. Your tickets will still be valid for the new date.

The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Mission Bell Resort is located at 1711 E. Bus. 83. Tickets are still available.

Wintertainers include Dave and Daphne, Diego and Edith, Mark Staggs Festus Live Comedy Show, Jamie Layton, The Midnight Mustang Band and Redneck Revival. Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets are available for $12.50 per person for groups of 15 or more (although seating is being set up to follow current state and county guidelines). Tickets are available at Winter Texan Times, by phone at (863) 253-2514 or (956) 585-4833, or online at www.wintertexantimes.com

Valley Star Awards tickets available

Valley Star Awards tickets are now available. Although we are holding a show, there will be no awards portion of this year’s show. Since fewer Wintertainers™ were able to visit this year, and because attendance to concerts was limited, we decided to not do an award ceremony, but we still wanted to bring some great entertainment to the stage.

This year, the show will feature Bobbi and Punch, Diego and Edith, Mark Staggs Festus Live Comedy Show, Jamie Layton, Midnight Mustang Band, and Redneck Revival.

The event will be held on Wednesday, February 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be available from 12 to 1 p.m. It will be held at Mission Bell Resort, 1711 E. Bus. 83, on an outdoor stage. A rain date of February 19 has been scheduled should it be necessary to delay the show.

Tickets are $15 per person and $12.50 for groups of 15 or more. Social distancing will be practiced, and seats will be grouped as guidelines allow.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (865) 253-2514 or online at www.wintertexantimes.com. You can also pick-up tickets at the Winter Texan Times office, 1217 N. Conway, Mission; or by calling Mission Bell Resort at (956) 585-4833.

Valley Star Awards highlights Valley’s own ‘Little Nashville’

Photos and Story by Henry Miller

Winter Texans have a gold mine in front of them, a virtual underground music scene that the remainder of the Valley only gets a glimpse of, at most.

The Ninth Annual Valley Star Awards highlighted much of that elite entertainment at Mission Bell Resort in Mission last week and Helen Russell and Company came out the biggest of the winners. Helen and her husband Elvis were named not only Individual/Small Band/Variety Act of the Year, but also came away with the Entertainer of the Year title as well.