Direct from the U.S.A and Returning to Australia by Popular Demand
THE KINGS OF COUNTRY
An unforgettable tribute to Legends of Country Music: Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash

Profile

Starring leading U.S Tribute Kings: MARION DEATON, MARTY EDWARDS and PHILLIP BAUER

Direct from the U.S and sell-out concerts in North America, Abstract Entertainment presents "The Kings of Country", an unforgettable tribute to the biggest names in Country Music this Century! return to Australia by Popular Demand. Starring Phillip Bauer as Johnny Cash, Marty Edward as Kenny Rogers and Marion Deaton as Willie Nelson. Three great performers on stage together with their own band recreating "The Kings of Country" - a truly must see Concert. The return Australian tour dates are:

"The Kings Of Country" Tribute Stars:

PHILLIP BAUER has been recreating the sound and the look of the late great Johnny Cash since 1985. His uncanny natural resemblance and stage presence leaves his audiences spellbound as he recreates all the songs that made Johnny Cash the King of Country music. Entertaining people is all Phillip Bauer ever wanted to do! His dynamic stage presence, quality and impressive vocal range has been thrilling audiences for many years.

In 1996 Philip Bauer was asked to perform on the "Charlie Daniels Talent Round Up" on TNN. A year later at Johnnie Highs Country Music Revue, Philip left the stage with a Standing Ovation as the warm up act for superstar LeAnn Rimes. A songwriter in his own right, Philip has had his own original music played on over 300 radio stations across Europe. Selective Records out of Nashville marketed his songs to the European market. In 1998 Philip Bauer moved to Branson where he performed to capacity crowds. Philip received a standing ovation for his guest appearance on the "Down Home Country Show". He also was a honored member of the "Oklahoma Opry" from 1995-2000. In that time he won many awards including "Male Vocalist Of The Year"and "Entertainer Of The Year".

In 2005, Philip was chosen to perform at the 10 year Memorial Concert to remember the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. Philip performed to a capacity crowd of 16,000 people with Country Superstars such as Vince Gill, Joe Diffie, and Toby Keith. Philip currently travels across the United States,Canada,and Mexico performing The Legend of Johnny Cash Show to sold out audiences in theatres,casinos,fairs and festivals. Philip recently completed a 16 city tour of Australia..The response from the audiences was so enthusiastic that he has been asked to come back "down under" for a 20 city tour.

MARION DEATON as the outlaw Willie Nelson is the World’s leading Willie Nelson tribute artist. Born in Monroe County, Arkansas. His Mother, Janice Ballowe, was from Lake Providence Louisiana, the daughter of the local veterinarian. His Father, Otis Marion “Bo” Deaton, self- taught honky tonk piano player, had Cherokee Indian, English and Irish lineage. He gravitated toward players with his rural Arkansas roots and soon found himself playing with some of the South’s great players. They formed The Shades, one of the first, talent laden touring Rock and Roll bands of the era. Gene Hughey, later to be Conway Twitty’s baseman, played base and Wesley Wilson, the hottest talent of his time, played lead guitar. Will ‘Pop” Jones, the original piano player with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, was the piano player in the group and coached the young, talented players to a higher level. Jerry Kattawar, one of the South’s most engaging performers, replaced Will on piano later on. Many of the players with whom Marion played in those early days have become music staples and legends.

Marion Deaton wanted to control his own destiny, so he formed the Marion Deaton Group, a high energy, Top 40, horn band. He was now the drummer, who sang occasionally, and the bandleader. He began booking his band and several others. They worked constantly over a decade demanding big bucks. Sultry voiced Coley Chaudoin, a gifted guitarist, and smooth toned base player Bert Castro were staples in the group. Club owners could be assured that the cash register would ring and the club would be full of women when the boys were back in town. Over the years Marion played with Percy Slegde, Ace Cannon, Roy Orbison, Neil Sedaka, Gene Pitney, Dell Shannon, Bruce Chanel, Bobby Vee, Bobby Vinton, Jimmy Clanton, Dicky Lee, Rufus Thomas, Gee Gee Shinn, John Smith, Gene Simmons, and Ronnie Millsap, to name a few.

In 1980, while looking at other business interests, Marion met Robbie Blumenthal. Robbie was an executive who had a strong musical background. She had sung on the road with her own band and worked in various Playboy Clubs as a featured vocalist singing with the Al Baletto Jazz Quartet. Al was Playboy Enterprises musical director and world famous alto saxophonist.

One night, at a Karaoke bar in Memphis, Marion sang a Willie Nelson song. The response was wild and overwhelming. The crowd went crazy! It seemed he not only sounded like Willie Nelson, but looked like him, too! Every time Marion sang the response was the same. “ Oh my gosh, he looks and sounds like Willie!” A new career was born, out from behind the drums. Marion, now affectionately called Smooth Willie, searched the country for the best pickers available and formed The Smooth Willie Band. A CD was recorded as a tribute to Willie Nelson.

And lastly, MARTY EDWARDS as Kenny Rogers is no stranger to Australian audiences having previously toured twice, bringing the looks, sound and charisma that is Kenny Rogers. Marty Edwards has appeared on Oprah, Jay Leno Tonight Show and CNN News. Performances across the U.S, Canada, Asia, U.K, Ireland, Mexico and Australia has left audiences mesmerised with Marty Edwards' musical skills. It could be said that Marty Edwards has a remarkable likeness to Kenny Rogers and the voice to go with it. To see him on stage you would think you were watching a real Kenny Rogers concert! He walks the walk and talks the talk!

Marty Edwards has been entertaining fans since the early 1970s. He started his musical career as lead vocalist and guitarist for a country band. He performed many popular Kenny Rogers songs of the time, but never consciously tried to imitate Kenny Rogers. It wasn't until 1998 that he thought about doing a tribute to Kenny Rogers. It was while recording a "Marty Edwards" album that producer James Bowers observed that not only did Marty Edwards bear a striking resemblance to the country great, but he actually sounded like Kenny! He didn't do anything about the comment made by James Bowers until 1998 when he produced the first annual "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" benefit concert that helps abused children. His first show was a short one act and so he put the Kenny Rogers tribute together as a one-time performance. It went over so well that he was asked to repeat the performance at other venues across the U.S. Since then his acclaimed tribute to Kenny Rogers has raised thousands of dollars for charity, and delighted audiences ever since!

Marty Edwards had the honour of meeting Kenny Rogers twice since starting the tribute. Once in Billings, Montana in 1998 when he was invited to go backstage to meet Kenny Rogers and have a photograph taken. A second meeting was in 2002, Kenny Rogers was performing and stopped to introduce Marty Edwards to the audience to show how close the resemblance was!!

Three great performers on stage together with their own band make "The Kings of Country" a must see show.

Tour Dates & Venue

Friday 16th May
REGIONAL THEATRE, DUBBO
Bookings: (02) 6801 4378
Saturday 17th May
SOUTHS JUNIORS CLUB
Bookings: (02) 9349 7555
Sunday 18th May
CLUB FORSTER
Bookings: (02) 6591 6591
Thursday 22nd May
BROTHERS LEAGUES CLUB, CAIRNS
Bookings: (07) 4053 1053
Friday 23rd May
MONCRIEFF THEATRE, BUNDABERG
Bookings: (07) 4130 4100
Saturday 24th May
TWIN TOWNS AUDITORIUM, TWEED HEADS
Bookings: 1800 014 014
Sunday 25th May
CABRA VALE DIGGERS CLUB
Bookings: (02) 9727 3600
Friday 30th May
CASTLE HILL RSL CLUB
Bookings: (02) 8858 4800
Saturday 31st May
EVAN THEATRE, PENRITH PANTHERS
Bookings: (02) 4720 5555
Sunday 1st June
MITTAGONG RSL CLUB
Bookings: (02) 4872 6700
Wednesday 4th June
WESTS LEAGUES CLUB, NEWCASTLE
Bookings: (02) 4935 1200
Thursday 5th June
BATHURST MEMORIAL ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Bookings: (02) 6333 6161
Friday 6th June
LAYCOCK STREET THEATRE, GOSFORD
Bookings: (02) 4323 3233
Saturday 7th June
THE CUBE, CAMPBELLTOWN CATHOLIC CLUB
Bookings: (02) 4625 0000
Sunday 8th June
NORTH SYDNEY LEAGUES CLUB
Bookings: (02) 9245 0000
Friday 13th June
SUTHERLAND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Bookings: (02) 9521 8888
Saturday 14th June
CIVIC THEATRE, WAGGA WAGGA
Bookings: (02) 6926 9688
Sunday 15th June
GOULBURN SOLDIERS CLUB
Bookings: (02) 4821 3300
Wednesday 18th June
ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH
Bookings: Show Ticketing (08) 9370 5888
Friday 20th June
EASTBANK CENTRE, SHEPPARTON
Bookings: (03) 5832 9511
Saturday 21st June
ATHENAEUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE
Bookings: Ticketek 132 849
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