For those that don’t want to read an entire review, here’s the Ole Seagulls “one paragraph review” on all that most people will need to know about “Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express”. From the fast paced opening number “Me and My Gang” to the beautiful finale “In God We Still Trust” there is no doubt that this is a country music show based God, family, and country that is presented by an extremely talented cast. It is one impressive, high energy and entertaining show that has it all, excellent singing, great choreography and dancing, and an excellent live band.
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| Clay Cooper shows off his amazing vocals. |
The shows opening number, “Me and My Gang” gets the show off to an exciting and active start setting the tenor for what is to follow. The number features Clay as the lead singer but also introduces the majority of the shows 15 member cast, Jenna Crispin, the shows featured “Youth Singer,” Matt Gumm, the shows comedian and featured singer, the Country Express Dancers, the Country Express Band, and Johnny Lonestar, the shows featured roper and gunslinger. The number is fast paced, entertaining, and is choreographed beautifully.
Obviously Clay Cooper is the star of the show and from beginning to end does a great job. He not only sings extremely well but is the shows “defacto” master of ceremonies because of the relationship and rapport he establishes with the audience. Clay sings a number or songs representing different styles well but if an Ole Seagull were to pick three as his personal favorites they would “I’m Country,” the Conway Twitty medley, and “Me and God.” His rendition of “Tough” coupled with the dancing of his wife, Tina, who is also the choreographer for the show and one of the dancers, was a joy to experience.
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Johnny Lonestar wows the audience |
Even the integration of Johnny Lonestar, the shows roper and gunslinger is choreographed and flows seamlessly with the shows flow. As Clay is singing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy" Johnny performs some amazing rope tricks. Just how does he get that loop that big? In the second half, he adds new meaning to the term “Blaze of Glory” as he performs a great a gun slinging and whip routine. What a master this guy is at what he does!
Matt Gumm, a featured singer in the show does the shows comedy routines. Just how does he make all those moves with that harmonica? Besides, where else can you see and hear the “Flusherphone?” It’s just about guaranteed that you will never see or hear of version of “Stars and Stripes Forever” that will be as pumped up as this shows version.
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| Young Jenna Crispin showed tremendous poise on stage. |
Jenna Crispin, has a beautiful strong clear voice and did an excellent job on the “Muleskiner Blues” and “Cowboy Up,” a song with a neat message that was delivered beautifully. Tina Cooper does a great job not only with singing vocals such as "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under," but as a dancer and the shows choreographer. This show just flows seamlessly from one element to the next.
The Country Music Express Dancers, Larry Miller, Tim Lewis, Laura Posavitz, and Tina Cooper add a consistent, beautiful, and graceful element to the show. Their dancing is excellent and the way it is choreographed and integrated into the show results in a wonderful and unique entertainment experience with moments approaching elegance.
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| Colt Cooper just havin’ fun! |
The appearance of three year old Colton Cooper in select comedy and musical segments of the show adds yet another entertaining dimension. Colten’s fiddle duet with Trent Wideman will provide one of the most unique and endearing renditions of the old fiddle classic “The Orange Blossom Special” that you will ever see or hear.
The Country Music Express Band composed of Jimmy Hyde on drums, John Lance on guitar, Trent Wideman on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, Carl McKinney, guitar and Bob Hempker, steel guitar, and directed by R.P. Harrell on piano, was simply outstanding. From the solo singing numbers to dancing and comedy routines their ability to play and adapt to the constantly changing flow of the show around them adds yet another important element to the total success of this show.
Other personal show highlights include the dueling hammered dulcimers, the singing of R. P. Harrell, in numbers such as “Peace,” and the beautiful dancing of Larry and Laura as Harrell sang and played “What Did I Do to Deserve You.” As with the rest of the show the finale was beautifully choreographed and presented in a manner that powerfully and convincingly tells the world “In God We Still Trust.”
This show is billed as “the new road to country music.” “New” is relative but the talent, choreography, and flow of this show makes it an entertaining road to country music that should be traveled by those wanting a relatively fast paced show with excellent, singing, dancing, choreography, and a band to match.
Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express is appearing at the Clay Cooper Theatre at 2215 W. Highway 76 at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with an additional 10:00 a.m. show on Tuesdays and Thursdays until December 16. For further information or to purchase tickets by phone or on line, call 1-800-451-3791 or click here. To see additional pictures taken of the show but not in the review click here.
Photos by Basil Groman – Click here for the complete gallery.
