From left, the 2022 cast Caleb Lewis, Dawson Wright, Todd Watkins, Randall Franks, Colton Brown, and Ryan Stinson perform "Give Me That Old Time Religion"
photo by Regina Watkins
Appalachian actor and entertainer Randall Franks and his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree celebrated its 77th anniversary performance at the Colonnade in Ringgold for the North Georgia EMC.
The show was started as one of the several stage productions operated by Grand Ole Opry and Western Film star Ramblin’ "Doc" Tommy Scott of Toccoa, Ga. in 1945 as part of his Herb-O-Lac Medicine Show Productions.
In the Heat of the Night co-star Mr. Franks took the reins of the Jamboree in 1990, adding other TV favorites such as Donna Douglas and Sonny Shroyer and fellow music stars.
"It's been such an amazing time of music with lots of laughs,” he said. "Our largest concert audience during my tenure was 30,000. What fun that was! I am thankful that folks have an interest in supporting what our ensemble brings to the stage - music, comedy and family fun. Continuing the traditions - that is what it’s all about."
The eight-decade legacy includes screen and music legends such as Uncle Dave Macon, Stringbean Akeman, Carolina Cotton, Ray Whitley, Johnny Mack Brown, Sunset Carson, Fuzzy St. John, Tim McCoy and many more.
From left are the 2022 Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree Cast: Caleb Lewis, Dawson Wright, Randall Franks, Todd Watkins, Colton Brown, and Ryan Stinson
photo by Regina Watkins