Celebrating Sheriff Kemp: Lots of music, food and family fun

Kemp Louis Horn, well known in the area as Sheriff Kemp, a founder of the Circle B Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show, along with his wife Michele, was instrumental in the Western music movement in Branson over twenty years ago. Sheriff Kemp and his musical family had a huge following from the shows they performed.

The Horn family in Branson: The 2007 Circle B Chuckwagon & Cowboy Music Show. Left to right: Megan, Michael, Katie, Kemp and Christiana. (Photo courtesy of John Fullerton)

I was honored to perform vocal duties along with lead guitar and mandolin onstage with Kemp and his family for nearly seven years, dating back to summer 2005.

 I vividly recall when the press releases went out announcing the Circle B Cowboys were coming to Branson in mid-2004. I was just a local solo Singing Cowboy act back then, and there were only two other Western music acts calling Branson home, the Sons of the Pioneers, as well as Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders. Having a fourth Western act in town would be a huge thing.

I met Kemp and his children March 13, 2005, never dreaming that less than five months later I would be onstage with them. They had one of the best arrangements of "The Cowboy's Lament" I had ever heard. They showcased true family harmony.

Fast forward to July 2 and 3, 2005. I made my onstage debut as lead guitarist with the Riders of the Circle B and played four more shows on mandolin July 6 through 9. I was a nervous wreck, no opportunity for rehearsals, just plug in and go, and immediately, Kemp assured me that I was one of the family. We would remain extremely close from that time onward, as I would do 30 performances with them through the 2005 Christmas season.

In my time with Kemp, along with Michael, Katie, Megan and Christiana, we experienced some of the greatest fun you can ever imagine.  Branson performances six nights a week, and occasional road trips from Texas to Tennessee to North Carolina, from Colorado to Minnesota. Numerous television appearances and radio interviews; we did it all. Even a Cowboy Cruise for performances on Carnival's Conquest, that took us to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

We experienced many blessings in my time performing with the Riders of the Circle B. Kemp was without question the true showman, and I learned so much just watching him. He gave the best hugs, had the smoothest harmony voice, he knew how to compliment a small acoustic band with a harmonica, he loved everyone who came through the door, but most importantly, his energy and love for the Lord was very evident. At each performance he would ask the blessing over the meal. Never ashamed, Kemp was always grateful for God's blessings. His prayers were memorable and he meant it.

 In recent years it was always a thrill to join Kemp and Michael onstage for musical performances that were non-Western. Kemp could play anything and sing anything.  

One of my memorable highlights was a late evening in July 2009 after a Circle B show. I was producing a new solo album and asked Kemp to provide harmony vocals on a couple of my songs. I invaded Kemp and Michele's home with a full-blown portable recording studio setup, turning their hallway bathroom into a vocal booth and Michele's home office into a control room.  

Placing a microphone on a stand in between the toilet and the bathtub, with cables running down the hall, I told Kemp to put on his headphones, sing into the mic, and we would do rehearsal runs for both songs. I kid you not - Kemp, the extraordinary professional - nailed both rehearsal takes perfectly; instead, I kept them as the final recorded take! Kemp was one of those great ones, who did it right the first time! What a voice, what a blend, what a treasure to the field of Western harmony and Cowboy music!

Kemp, my treasured memories with you will last a lifetime, and I know your beautiful voice and harmonica are now very present in the heavenly choir.