Comedy Jamboree

Kurt L Moore

Splinter Middleton has got it all together with one-heck-of-a-good-show at the Grand Country 76 Music Hall. Country, corn and rock and roll, rule the roost as Splinter, his side-kick, Jim Dandy, played by Jamie Haage, his dancers, singers and musicians all have an Ozark style breakdown. They all cut loose with great music, great singing, side-splitting laughter and corn-ball skits that are so corny, they are actually refreshing.

Let’s go back in time to the late days of black and white TV, specifically 1969 and CBS. The network started airing a new show called Hee Haw. Practically unknown to the world, Roy Clark and his Bakersfield, California co-host, Buck Owens began picking and grinning to a nation, who at first, thought the show to be silly, inane and just a level or two beneath their collective dignity to watch. But a funny thing happened; people started talking at the local cafes the morning after the show would air. They would talk about Archie Campbell’s barbershop talks and his recitation of “Findercella.” They were talking, laughing about and discussing radio station KORN and the corny jokes that made up the news. There were other segments like Lulu’s Truck Stop, Minnie’s School, the Naggers, jokes in the cornfield and Grandpa Jones was frequently asked, “Who’s for supper?”

The more people talked, the more people, just like you and me, watched and listened to the great music, great dancing, picking and grinning and some of the corniest jokes and lines one could ever imagine.

Eventually, the original Hee Haw cast was joined by many unforgettable characters. Grady Nutt, Jim and Jon Hager, (the twins), Gordie Tapp, George Lindsey, (Goober), Minnie Pearl, John Henry Faulk, Kenny Price, Slim Pickens, Buck Trent and, quite possibly, the most unforgettable character of them all, Junior Samples, were just a few to grace the Hee Haw set during their wild and amazing 24 year ride on national television.

Nearly every musician of note, during that period, appeared on the show. Everyone from Johnny, Waylon, Willie, Conway, Barbara, Loretta and Vince performed their hits and then got the, dubious but distinct, honor of being included in one or two cornball skits. No one was immune to it and everyone wanted to be a part of it. Hee Haw turned out to be a national phenomenon, a treasure trove of musical and personal history and to everyone who tuned in each week, their favorite show.

O.K., you are probably wondering why in the dickens I took off on Hee Haw. First of all, it is a nice history lesson and a good way to look back at some of Branson’s heritage. Many personages who appeared on Hee Haw have been, past and present, on stage in Branson. Secondly, for those of us who are past the age of 15, it brings a certain nostalgic aura that we can’t quite put our finger on, but it feels right and good. Third and most important, Splinter Middleton and his hearty gang have incorporated into their show, several of the Hee Haw skits, songs and cornball.

Just as the original Hee Haw, the skits are cornier than Kansas in summer. The songs from Hee Haw are great and the cornball is delivered in style, ala Jamie Haage, also known as Jim Dandy.

When hearing “Gloom, Despair and Agony,” “Where Oh Where are You Tonight,” one can imagine Junior Samples standing on his used car lot, holding a sign upside down, urging everyone in TV land to call BR-549. There should have been a completely separate genre of entertainment to describe Hee Haw. Hee Haw could not be compared to any other show on the networks, because there was no other show like it.

Splinter Middleton is an accomplished musician, songwriter and singer and he has surrounded himself with other accomplished performers. Just as the legacy of Hee Haw, Splinter has surrounded himself with people who are stars in their own right. Last year I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Roy Clark, one of the founding fathers of Hee Haw. I felt rather sheepish when I told Roy that I thought everyone onstage performing with him appeared to be as good a performer as he was. Roy displayed a twinkle in his eye and that famous “Roy Clark grin,” as he told me that wasn’t true. He said everyone onstage, performing with him, was better than he was and then added, “My, my, but don’t they make me look good.” In that regard, Splinter is in a rare class with Roy and others who truly understand the real business of “show” business. I personally take my hat off to Splinter Middleton for surrounding himself onstage with some of the finest performers anywhere.
Splinter’s show, Comedy Jamboree, has nearly every genre of music in America played, sang and performed. The music is great, the singing outstanding, the costuming colorful, the lighting very rich and the comedy, off the scale.

I will have to admit that Comedy Jamboree truly surprised me and more than lives up to its name. There are more jokes and cornball per minute than any other show in town.
Oh yes, one more thing, Splinter has, without a doubt, the best looking and most talented song and dance troupe on either side of the Mississippi.

Looking for a little nostalgia, great music, corny skits and a place you can forget your troubles for a couple of hours? Go down to the Grand Country 76 Music Hall and grab a ticket for Splinter Middleton’s Comedy Jamboree.

You can almost hear John Henry Faulk, as he gave the news on radio station KORN, saying, “I crossed a potato with a sponge. Didn’t taste too good, but it sure could sop up the gravy.” Yes sir, those were the days.

Branson Critic™

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