Country Gold
August 20, 6 & 8:30 p.m.

Leroy Van Dyke, of “Auctioneer” and “Walk On By” fame, is known around the world as an entertainer, recording artist, radio and television star, actor and auctioneer. His record “Walk On By” sold millions and stayed on the charts for 42 weeks. Van Dyke was the first to take country music to Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter as well as the first to take a staged, produced, choreographed, self-contained country music show to the Las Vegas Strip.

Writing more than 500 songs in his career, Van Dyke was a 2001 inductee into the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame. He was also the first entertainer to receive the prestigious Country Music Association Founding President's Award for contributing to the advancement and improved image of country music.

Steve and Rudy Gatlin, of the Gatlin Brothers, have been performing country music for more than half a century. The two, along with their older brother, Larry, have sung together since they were 2, 4 and 6 years old. In 1976, all three were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and they became an official trio in 1979. They toured around the country through the rest of the 70s and 80s and scored more than a dozen Top 40 hits, including “Denver,” “Houston (Means That I'm One Day Closer To You),” “I Don't Want To Cry,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “What Are We Doing Lonesome,” “Take Me To Your Lovin' Place” and “Night Time Magic.”

The Gatlin Brothers won a Grammy for Best Country Song with their number one hit “Broken Lady,” and the Academy of Country Music honored them with awards for Single of the Year for “All the Gold in California” and Album of the Year for “Straight Ahead.” They’ve sung at the White House, on “The Johnny Cash 25th Anniversary Show” and on television shows worldwide. Although the brothers officially stopped touring in 1992, they continue to bring their pure harmonies, professionalism and fun concerts to audiences throughout the country.

It was her songwriting that opened the floodgates for Helen Cornelius along the corridors of Nashville's Music Row. By the mid-70s, she had songs recorded by a number of major artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley and Connie Smith. While it was writing that first won her major credibility, it was her voice that won Cornelius her first major recording contract in 1975 with RCA Records.

Helen’s partnership on an album with Jim Ed Brown was further crowned with success by her individual nomination as "Most Promising Female vocalist" by Music City News in 1977. Following this win, the Academy of Country Music gave her their prestigious nod in the "Best New Female Vocalist" category. Also in 1977, Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius won the coveted CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year, Single of the Year and Album of the Year.

In May of 2005, Cornelius was honored by the State of Missouri, which inducted her into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame. She continues to perform with Jim Ed Brown periodically on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as county and state fairs, in addition to her own solo appearances.

David Frizzell left home as a teenager to work the concert circuit with his legendary brother, Lefty Frizzell. He eventually made his own musical identity and became successful headlining country music shows in Las Vegas. In the early 1980s he founded the musical duo Frizzell & West with the talented Shelly West, daughter of country music star Dottie West. Together they recorded “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma,” which was picked up by Clint Eastwood and placed on the soundtrack for his movie “Any Which Way You Can.” Warner Bros. recognized the talent of Frizzell & West and offered them a recording contract, and their success continued to grow as they became one of the hottest and most-awarded acts in the business.

Frizzell & West recorded five albums together and won accolades such as the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award for 1981 and 1982, the Academy of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year for 1981 and 1982 as well as the ACM Song of the Year award in 1981. During his time with West, Frizzell continued his solo career and recorded the hit “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home.” Between his duet and solo acts, Frizzell has been nominated for three Grammys. Frizzell’s most recent album, “Frizzell & Friends This Is Our Time,” contains 20 of his best songs that showcase the forlorn, stripped-down style of singing that made Frizzell famous.