A Baldknobbers memory at Ozarks Country

Sunday evening, May 17, was a historic night at Grand Country Music Hall. The regular Sunday evening show, Ozarks Country, starring sisters Tammy and Tanya turned out to be a Baldknobbers reunion.

Tammy and Tanya's dad is Tommy Bilyeu, who sang and did the emcee duty for the Baldknobbers for 25 years. These ladies put in their Baldknobber run and then joined the legendary Mel Tillis as a part of the Stutterettes, where they backed Mel for almost 16 years from 1991 through 2007.

Ten years ago Tammy and Tanya began their Sunday shows at Grand Country, where they host Ozarks Gospel as a 3 p.m. matinee and Ozarks Country at 7 p.m.

Kicking off their Sunday evening show to an enthusiastic audience, their great duet harmonies were heard on "It's A Girl's Night Out" followed by "Knee Deep In Loving You." Their male vocalist is the talented Mel Barber who had sung with other well known acts at the Grand Ole Opry. They really have a great blend together on their vocal trio selections.   

Of course, their performance also features one of Branson's comedy legends, Droop Jr. (Tim Mabe) whose dad was the original Droopy Drawers with the Baldknobbers, Jim Mabe. Tim is a first cousin to Tammy and Tanya. 

The Ozarks Country band is a top-notch act of longtime musicians. Filling in on bass was another long-time Baldknobbers member, Brent Mabe. He and Tanya joined the Baldknobbers in 1986. Brent is also a first cousin. The other musicians are Payte Dugger on drums, Jim Garstang on piano (also a long-time performer with Mel Tillis), Dino Strunk on lead guitar and Robby Springfield on steel guitar.

Dino Strunk performed a hot version of "Hummingbird" and contributed with harmony vocals throughout the show.

The second half was full of Baldknobbers surprises! Tammy and Tanya stayed the second half sharing some of their top memories of songs from "Baldknobber" stage time. 

Mike Ito, 41-year member did his famous arrangement of "Orange Blossom Special." Also, long-time vocalist and emcee Gene Dove (who hadn't been on stage in a while) performed, and in the audience his little granddaughter sat seeing and hearing him for the first time onstage. Droop Jr. finally got the spotlight to sing "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms," while playing his washboard. Then Droop Jr. announced Patty Mabe, his wife, up to the stage. Tim kept asking her to sing at least this time. She agreed and this was her first time back onstage in a few years. Her performance of "Those Memories" was backed by Tammy and Tanya. The performance was superb. Then to finalize the show, they had their mom (Barbara) and sister (Renee) along with another former member, Dean Holman, and the rest of the cast join them onstage, for the final closing number, led by Jamie Bilyeu (he also joins his sisters in the Gospel show on Sunday afternoons) sing the old closing number, "Y'all Come."

All in all, this was truly a special night, a great opportunity to see family, friends and long-time fans. Please do a Baldknobbers night again! I know everyone in the audience really had fun and enjoyed the memories. 

Check out their shows: Ozarks Gospel and Ozarks Country at Grand Music Hall, 1945 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. For more information, 417-614-3692; grandcountrylivemusic.com