Did You Know? Our Country Music Cruise Artists Are More Than Musicians
We all know that the superstars of the Country Music Cruise are among the most talented musicians and singers to ever take the stage. But did you know that many of them have been blessed with surprising skills, developed during former careers or as different ways to express their boundless creativity? Here’s a peek into some of the hidden talents that our Country Music Cruise artists have developed over the years:
Charley Pride is part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. A former Negro League player, Pride regularly joins the Rangers during Spring Training and has sung the National Anthem for them during Game 5 of the 2010 World Series when the team faced off against the San Francisco Giants. He also founded the First Texas Bank of Dallas in 1975 (later sold to BOK Financial Corp) and has owned his own theatre in Branson as well as a publishing company.
The Oak Ridge Boys love their Favorite Southern Style Bread ‘N’ Butter Jalapeno so much that they’ve become businessmen and are currently selling jars of the delicious spread online and at Cracker Barrels throughout the country. “I've spent a good part of my life looking for ways to make a better burrito... great cheese... great salsa... a nice tortilla... and NOW… THE OAK RIDGE BOYS Favorite Bread and Butter Jalapeños. The search is over… With this stuff I can make the best burrito in the world... and I mean THE WORLD. I AM NOW ADDICTED TO THIS STUFF," explains Joe Bonsall.
Lee Greenwood started his music career while still in high school, performing in bands at casinos near his home in Reno, NV. After graduation, he moved to Las Vegas to continue singing in casinos and added blackjack dealer to his resume while he was there.
Tanya Tucker stepped out from behind the microphone and in front of the television cameras many, many times during her career, including a stint as a judge on Dance Fever in 1979 and as the star of her own reality TV show, Tuckerville, in 2005.
Johnny Lee also knows a thing or two about acting. In addition to his groundbreaking appearance in Urban Cowboy, Johnny filmed scenes for Fantasy Island and This Is the Life.
While we’re on the subject of television shows, Dailey & Vincent are currently starring in their own variety show on RFD, performing their own songs and inviting guests to stop by. We wonder if Jimmy Fortune might share a tip or two with them when they’re together on the Country Music Cruise. He spent eight years on The Statler Brothers Show.
We’ve even got a Broadway giant on the cruise with us! Did you know that Chuck Mead is the Music Director for the Tony-winning “Million Dollar Quartet?” He’s been with the production since the start, helping to develop it for Broadway and an upcoming television adaptation.