Branson radio host Tim Kelly introduces plans for The Branson Opry

BY DAVID C. LANNAN

Tim Mazur, professionally known as Tim Kelly, has been a fixture in the music community in Branson for years as host of multiple radio shows. His involvement in the music industry will soon expand with a major twist.

“Branson has long been home to many venues featuring cover bands and tribute shows,” Kelly said. “We have also seen an increase in independent artists, and even major players, looking for an alternative to Nashville.” He plans to make that goal happen in 2026 when he expects The Branson Opry to open.

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“This will be a place to showcase artists who have graced the stages in Branson as well as some of the great up and coming country music artists who have been on The Tim Kelly Show,” said board member DeeDee Cooper. “This is part of the effort to keep real country and original music alive in Branson, and elsewhere.”

Kelly said he took on this project because he has lived in the Indie Country music underground world for 13 years in radio. “The music is better than mainstream, and you get to hear real life stories of the artists because in most cases they wrote the songs that they are performing,” he added.

“I believe there is authentic musical talent scattered across the country. It's probably hidden in your back yard. Behind the scenes. Behind the karaoke, behind the limelight, behind the cover bands fighting over the same old gigs, behind all the impersonators and tribute shows... There are still real artists," said board member Kevin Palmer. "Tim Kelly brings a vision to life with The Branson Opry that will put these artists in the spotlight."

Kelly currently has two shows a week being syndicated to more than ten stations around the world and growing. His Thursday and Friday programs feature new Indie Country music and interviews with the artists. Triple Play Thursdays feature Indie artists who have more than three songs he can play along with the interview. He has even interviewed William Lee Golden, who is 86 now, from The Oak Ridge Boys twice.

“I've interviewed artists as young as 10 years of age, and as old as 61,” Kelly said, “Another reason for the Opry is to help showcase these talented artists no matter what their age might be.”

Kelly plans to bring in seasoned performers who have been making music for many years, some who are currently touring with major label artists. “They just want a place to play in the middle of the USA and Branson is that for sure,” Kelly said. He believes he will be able to help younger singer-songwriters who perform mostly original music.

“Tim has been playing my music on his Popular Shows over seven years and counting,” said Wolfe Milestone of Ontario, Canada. “He has now even more become our angel to start up Branson Opry for Indie artists.”

Garrett Kirk said, “I’m very grateful to be a part of this,” when asked about the Branson Opry project.

“I'm not knocking the tribute shows that are here in town, but you grow up being told to just be yourself, be authentic, do you. To the artists that means writing and performing the music that they were inspired to create,” Kelly said. “People watch shows like “The Voice,” and vote for artists who try to perform a cover song to the best of their ability and need coaching.”

Kelly is looking at an already existing theater to be the home of The Branson Opry, selecting a board of directors and making plans for two shows a week to start. The board of directors will invite artists to perform and induct past and present artists into The Branson Opry. He will also be looking at getting memorabilia of past artists that were in Branson “so folks can see first hand the history of country music that made Branson so special.”

Kelly said if a brand new theater is needed, they will be looking at getting investors to back it. They are looking for major sponsors as well. “We want to do giveaways to folks who purchase tickets so that their trip to Branson is one they will never forget,” he added. “We will be looking for a TV deal so that people from all over the world that maybe can't make the trip to Branson can watch them perform, and get to know them because of the Opry and the radio airplay of their original music.”

His ultimate goal for the Branson Opry is to keep original country music alive for future generations and showcase Branson as the live show capital of the world. He has already started putting Branson on the map for indie artists through his radio programs.

“I wanted to be in radio as a kid when I lived in Fort Scott, Kansas. We had a family friend who was on the local station there for years. Then I moved to California in 1986 and began to listen to Rick Dees, Jay Thomas, JoJo ‘Cookin’ Kincaid and the great Casey Kassem,” Kelly said. “I listened to some Wolfman Jack even. They did what is called personality driven radio. They made the kind of connections with folks that people grew up listening to. That's what has always stuck with me to try to strive for with my shows.”

Kelly went to Columbia School of Broadcasting in San Diego in 1988 and finished the course in about six months. Burton Richardson, who was the announcer for The Arsenio Hall Show, was on the school's board, and graded some of his work. His first FM radio job was as a weekend personality at KMCO K 101 in McAlester, Oklahoma. “I walked in and asked if they needed a DJ, and they hired me part time to do six hours on Saturday and Sunday evenings. I did a few remote broadcasts as well,” he said. Kelly now owns KICR Indie Country Radio.

“I get to play the country music and artists that I think will make a big impact on country radio FM stations as well. I started out playing artists like Tyler Farr, Cole Swindell, etc. Then more independent artists started asking if they could get played on the show,” Kelly explained. “It really grew from there. The show is also commercial free except for what the other formats that I'm on insert in after the show gets sent out. Plus, I have two artist interviews per show, so the listeners and I get to meet them and hear their stories of country music over the airwaves.”

Kelly finds his artists on YouTube or other music sources or through promoters and artists who contact him directly, but not everyone makes it on the air. “Not every song makes the cut though,” Kelly explained. “That's the hardest part, telling the artists that they didn't make it on the show.”

Teen recording artist Ariel Franz of Arizona has been blessed to appear on his show more than once. “We coordinated the release of one of my originals with the day I was featured on his show,” she said. “I really appreciate his help getting my songs on the air.”

One caveat Kelly offers to artists and promoters? “If I'm a CC or BCC in an email, that is rarely a reply from me. I don't want all of the other stations seeing what I'm doing necessarily,” Kelly said. “I want to stand out, and do things different than anyone else.”

“I am excited to see Indie artists coming together to support Tim Kelly and his Opry,” Gary Matheny said. “It’s time we have a platform.”

You can find Kelly at Radio Boss Player on https://www.kicrindiecountryradio.com/ He also broadcasts live on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. If you miss a show, podcasts are archived on his website. In addition to his radio programs, you can find music videos at ICTV Indie Country Television, https://www.kicrindiecountryradio.com/ictv

He also has channels for classic country videos, a channel dedicated to Christmas music, and a channel for watching TV westerns.