Clay fIrst began singing at the Wylie Opry at the age of fourteen, and continued to perform there until 1986, when he then joined the Texas Goldminors and moved to Branson, performing at the Ozarks Country Jubilee.

Since 1986, Clay has worked for many area shows, including the Ozark Jubilee, the Country Review Show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Down Home Country Show, the Buck Trent Show, the Jim Owens Show and Country Tonite, where he spent nine years as lead vocalist and emcee. In 1989, Evergreen Records released a single by Clay titled, “A Little Ground in Texas” which went to #60 on the Cash Box Charts.

In 2003, Clay joined his buddy, Paul Harris, as the featured male vocalist in Paul Harris Live.  Clay and his wife, Tina, began Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express in 2005 as a morning show in Branson, Missouri.   Both Tina and Clay are truly thankful for the opportunity to continue performing with such a talented cast.

Oklahoma’s own, Tina Cooper, was born to perform! Tina began dancing at the age of three at her mom’s studio in the garage of their home!  Tina continued her training through high school and graduated with a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Oklahoma.  Tina worked at Frontier City and Opryland amusement parks.  She worked for Holland America Cruiselines for two years and then headed for Branson, Missouri.  Tina has been seen on several Branson stages performing in shows including Country Tonite, Celebrate America, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dino’s Christmas Spectacular, Red, Hot, and Blue!, and Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express.  Tina met Clay when working at Country Tonite and they married in 1999.  They had Colt in August, 2003.  Tina wants to thank her father, John, for believing in her dreams and in her husband. She would also like to thank her Heavenly Father for the talent she has received.

Fourteen year old Cassidy Cooper is a featured performer for Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express.  Cassidy was born in Wylie, Texas and currently resides there with her mother and step-dad, Shelli and Kirk Pryor. She has three half-brothers, Jacob, Colton, and Caden, and she is a GREAT big sis.  Cassidy enjoys singing, drill team, softball, basketball, and boys.  Cassidy made her debut performance at Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express last summer and will be returning for guest appearances this summer as well.  Cassidy is a natural talent and her dad is definitely proud! 

Ten year-old Carrigan Bradley, from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, is making her debut as a youth performer with the Clay Cooper Country Music Express.  Singing since the age of four, Carrigan has built an impressive resume which includes a recent National Anthem performance for the International Finals Rodeo; performances at the Rodeo Opry in Oklahoma City and appearing as a regular guest artist performer for the summer 2008 season at Northeastern State University’s “Downtown Country” in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where Carrie Underwood sang prior to winning American Idol. Carrigan is a member of the “Oklahoma Kids” and is an “American Kids National Finals Winner.”  Carrigan recently released her debut album, Walk Of Faith, which includes some of her favorite songs from gospel, country and patriotic music. Carrigan feels blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this show and to be able to share her gift of singing that God has given her. www.shoutlife.com/carriganbradley

Through the 80's he alternated touring and recording careers. Since moving to Branson in 1992, R P performed and toured with Rex Allen, Jr. and Roy Clark. In 1994 he joined "Country Tonite" when it opened in Branson. During his ten years with the show, he was the director, musical director, pianist, vocalist, and production manager. He either produced or co-produced several seasons of the show as well. He was voted Branson's "Piano Player of the Year" for three consecutive years, and inducted into the Branson Entertainer's Hall of Fame in 1998.

Born and raised in Des Arc, Arkansas Melody Hart started singing in church and playing the piano at age 3. By her teen age years she started playing the fiddle and singing with bluegrass groups around the state. In the late 80's she moved to Branson and began her first job on 76 Country Boulevard with the Plummer Family. After their retirement she played with such shows as Campbell's Ozark Country Jubilee, Braschlers, Texas Gold Minors, Barbara Fairchild, Brenda Lee, Presleys, Paul Harris, Joey Riley, Joe Diffie and currently with Buck Trent and Clay Cooper. Melody is also married to Wayne Massengale, fiddler/entertainer and they have 2 boys Garrett and Dillon.

Jimmy Hyde, originally from Hibbing, Minnesota, is definitely a favorite here in Branson.  Jimmy left high school and received an Associate of Arts Degree in English Literature.  He spent another year of school at the University of Minnesota.  Jimmy then moved to Nashville and toured as the drummer for several artists including Kitty Wells, Exile, and many others.  He spent 20 years working for Eddie Rabbit.  Jimmy came to Branson in 2002 as the new drummer for Country Tonite and continues to work there today.  In his spare time, Jimmy enjoys solving crossword puzzles, watching the History Channel, and riding his bike.  This is Jimmy’s fourth year with Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express. 

A native of Ft. Smith, AR.; Mark learned to play guitar at an early age and moved with his musical family to Nashville, TN where his father, Larry Morton, played guitar professionally with many popular artists including Danny Davis and The Nashville Brass...He also produced many artists which put Mark in the studio where he fely right at home. His mother, Ann J. Morton, a successful singer/songwriter performed with several artists including Floyd Tillman and The BlueBonnet Playboys and then went on to write songs for for artists, Charley Pride, Gene Watson and Hank Thompson. This inspired Mark to write and record his own songs which landed him a staff writing position at Scott Siman and Tim Mcgraw's publishing company for several years. Fate brought Mark to Branson where he played in many shows before finding a home at The Clay Cooper Theatre. Mark loves live music! Rock on!!

John Huzenski was born and raised in a small Polish town called, Kazimierz Dolny. John was an only child with big dreams. He left high school at the age of 17 to study the communication of whales. Never understanding a thing they said, he decided to make a new career move, joined his family, and came to the United States. John became great friends with his soon-to-be music mentor, Bob Leftwood. Bob taught him to play the piano and soon John was performing around the world as a concert pianist and sang at several festivals as well. John became the leading piano player for Ray Stevens when he returned from his performance tour around the world. John has also been seen in Country Tonite and Paul Harris Live. In his free time, John chases UFOs, plays with his son Trevor, and works as a CSI agent. His favorite food is cheese and he loves flowers. John would like to thank his one and only Kim for encouraging him to stay different.

LAURA POSAVITZ is from Dublin, Ireland where she trained at the Irish National College of Dance. She has danced in many productions with the Dublin City Ballet, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Cois Ceim Dance Company, and Dance Theatre of Ireland. Other theatre credits include The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, The Barbican Centre in London, and the Melbourne Theatre Festival in Australia. Laura has also performed in Hollywood Ladies, Can’t Stop the Music, and played the role of “Cha Cha” in the Gaiety Theatre production of Grease. Laura’s film credits include Circle of Friends with Minnie Driver, An Awfully Big Adventure with Hugh Grant, and Widow’s Peak with Mia Farrow. Laura was a regular on Sunday Night Live from the Olympia, a weekly televised variety show. Laura has choreographed in Branson for such shows as Cruisin ’57, Red Hot and Blue, and The Magnificent 7 Variety Show, as well as for The Bob Trunell Magic Show, which is seen on tour and on several cruise lines.

Sara studied at the Weber Shcool of dance before majoring in Dance Performance at Ball State University. After school she began her professional career at Paramount's Kings Island. Since then she has toured with magician, Steve Zigmont,  danced with Anthony Reed's magican show in Saipan, a small island in Micronesia, and was a dancer/showgirl in the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas. In Branson she has performed in The Shoji Tabuchi Show, Brett Daniels Magic and Beyond, and Dino's Christmas Spectacular. This is her second season with The clay Cooper Show. Sara has a one year old son, Tristan, who already loves playing on the stage. 

Tim Lewis began dancing at the age of 13 with Applause Studios of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Right out of high school, Tim moved to Aurora, Ohio and danced at the Seasons at Geauga Lake Amusement Park.  His incredible talent brought him to Branson performing in several shows including Country Tonite, Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox, Hamner Barber Variety Show, Red, Hot, & Blue!, and now Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express.  Tim performs all styles of dance and is the dance captain for Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express.  When Tim is not performing, he is spending time with his wonderful wife, Abby.

This is Nathan's 2nd season with the show! Being a local resident from Hollister, Missouri, 17 year old Nathan Applegate was exposed to the stage at somewhat of an early age. Nathan has performed in a few other venues around town, engaging in nightly shows at The Shepherd of the Hills with his grandmother, Dixie Stampede, and Silver Dollar City with the American Kids Organization. He began dancing at Premier Dance Academy and later began studying under his friend and mentor Tina Cooper. Tina took Nathan under her wing and introduced him to the broad world of dance. Later, Tina encouraged Nathan to audition for a dance scholarship at Midwest Dance Revolution and he successfully won the scholarship which will be completed in May 2009. Along with dance, Nathan is very active at Hollister High School where he is currently Junior Class President, choreographing for the Hollister Show Choir, and is involved with nine other clubs and organizations. Nathan would like to thank his family and friends for their never ending support, the Cooper Family for the opportunity, and God for all his grateful blessings.