Clay Cooper

CLAY COOPER	One could say Clay has been groomed all his life for his current position as host of his own show " Clay Cooper's Country Music Express ". Born to a musical family in Wylie, Texas, his grandmother played the piano for the Wylie Baptist Church, and gave piano lessons for twenty years. His dad played guitar and performed at all local Opry shows. 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 the last nine years as the lead vocalist an 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.

TINA COOPER	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.

CASSIDY COOPER	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 two half-brothers, Jacob and Colt, 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!

COLT COOPER	Colt Cooper made his debut performance at 14 months in the Paul Harris Show of 2004. Being a native to Branson and the son of entertainers, Colt felt at home on stage and continued performing in 2005 with Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express as well as special guest appearances in Paul Harris Live. Colt loves playing instruments including the fiddle, drums, piano, harmonica, guitar, and accordion. His hobbies include playing football, dancing with The Wiggles, racing cars, and watching TV favorites like Blue’s Clues and the Doodle-Bops. He also spends a lot of time with Woody and Buzz from Toy Story. Colt wants to thank his mentors “The Country Express Band” as well as his godfather, Paul Harris, for showing him the ropes in his musical adventure as an entertainer.

JOHNNY LONESTAR	Johnny Lonestar was born and raised in Smithtown, NY. He started trick roping at the age of 15. At 17, he won the "Will Rogers Rookie of the Year" award. By age 20, he received his first professional job on the Las Vegas strip performing rope twirling, gun spinning and whip cracking. Johnny has taken his act to Branson, and has been here for the past 12 years. Within that time he has also performed in Japan; Biloxi, Mississippi; Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; and Atlantic City. In 1999, Johnny received the "Novelty Act of the Year" award in Branson. He is now in his second year of the Clay Cooper's Country Music Express show. In January 2000, Johnny married his wife Cat, and they had their first child Dominic, in June of 2005.

MATT GUMM	Matt Gumm literally grew up around variety shows at Lake of the Ozarks, so at the age of 28, he takes to the stage like a seasoned pro. Of course, growing up with Thom “Gabby” Gumm as your dad & mentor didn’t hurt. In fact, he learned so well, Matt was added to the Main Street Opry act at the age of seven. Long before that, though, he seemed to know what he was going to do with his life. His mom will tell you that he spent everyday up on his bed, with a make-shift curtain that hung from the ceiling, with wigs and props doing his “show”. It was in these very early years that a family friend thought it would be “funny” to buy Matt a toy set of drums. Well, the joke was on him, because Matt started playing those things and he was a natural! All that practice may have been painful at times for the family, but it definitely paid off. While in High School, Matt was the only student chosen out of his class to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy because he excelled in Music, Art & Drama. Fresh out of high school, Matt spent 5 years developing his own reputation as a gifted comedian and musician on the stage of the long-running Lee Mace's Ozark Opry in Osage Beach, Missouri. Once again, his family ties drew him back to work along side his dad and mom Sandy at the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach. There he honed not only his comedy skills with his dad, but he came into his own with his impersonations. He’s brought the house down with his take on such artists as Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart & Sammy Davis, Jr., just to mention a few. Clay Cooper caught his act and knew he wanted to be the first to introduce Matt to Branson. Currently, he is the newest, possibly the craziest addition to Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express where you can experience Matt’s family friendly, high energy fun, visual humor, surprising abilities on some unusual instruments and no doubt, a visit from his cousin, “Sticky” Gumm. He’s guaranteed to get you tickled!

LAURA POSAVITZ	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.

R.P. HARRELL	R P was raised in Lufkin, Texas, where he began playing professionally in 1967. By 1969 he was on the road full time, with regular appearances at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. During the early 70's he also began a career in the recording industry, which led him to his first love of producing, engineering, and performing on recordings. He married his wife, Debbie Sue, in 1972, and they toured the U.S. and performed together through 1982. 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.

DAVE CLARK	Born in Santa Ana, California, David started playing bass guitar in church at the age of 13. Dave played music part-time on weekends, and drove a laundry truck during the week. It wasn't until he moved to Branson in 1996 that he started his full-time music career. Dave has played and sung with Boxcar Willy, Buck Trent, Doyle Dykes, Lost in the 50's, Stuck in the 70's, The Platters, and Barabara Fairchild. Dave says it is an honor to be a part of the "Clay Cooper's Country Music Express Show."

JIMMY HYDE	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 first year with Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express. Welcome!

TIM LEWIS	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 we look forward to having him in the show for a second season. When Tim is not performing, he is spending time with his wonderful wife, Abby.

LARRY MILLER	Larry Miller, originally from Newton, Mississippi, began his dancing career in Nashville, Tennessee, performing in Country Music USA. Since then, Larry has been fortunate enough to travel the world with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. Two years ago he relocated from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to Branson, Missouri. Larry has been seen in other Branson shows including Celebrate America, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Country Tonite. He is currently dancing in the Road to Rock, which is now appearing at the Gaslight Theater. This is Larry’s 1st season with Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express. Welcome Aboard!