From raptors to ocelots, and fly fishing to beachcombing, the 16th Annual Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo features lectures, classes and exhibits that will tantalize any nature lover. Scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The event is bigger than ever with the addition of nature-related vendors for the first time.

Attendees can choose from among more than a dozen workshops designed to sharpen their skills in such areas as wildlife photography, gardening and native plants, kayak fishing and flycasting. There are also many educational programs including “Ask a Game Warden,” butterflies, and boating safety.

Jonathan Wood, master falconer and wildlife rehabilitator, is this year’s feature presenter. His award-winning Raptor Project and Aerial Extravaganza wows millions of spectators across the country each year as he brings some of the most breathtaking predators from around the world within arm’s reach.

“We are excited about the vendors who will be a part of the Expo for the first time,” said Event Chair Ralph Ayers. “This will be offering a wide variety of nature-themed goods and services including wildlife artwork and photography, kayaks and tackle, and guided fishing packages.”

Conservation of the region’s natural resources will also be highlighted through the event’s exhibitors, including the Texas Parks & Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Master Naturalist Program, Coastal Conservation Association, Sea Turtle Rescue Inc, PI/SPI Shell Club, Coastal Baywatch Foundation, the Surfrider Foundation and others.

For more information on the schedule of seminars, call Ralph Ayers at 956-943-2004.

David Church brings back traditional style country

David Church, known for his appearances on RFD-TV, has returned to the Rio Grande Valley for his second year. Last year, Church’s performances in the Valley were met with overwhelming response from fans of traditional country music. This year’s performances include a five-piece band.

“My first year in the Valley was wonderful. I found a lot of our regular fans come here. Everywhere I went, I found friendly people that love the traditional style country music.” Church said.

Church’s popularity throughout the U.S., Canada, and now Europe has soared over the past several years from being featured monthly on Saturday night on the RFD-TV network.

“David is our most requested artist,” says Joe Jensen, producer of the show. “And the live audience continues to support the shows at the theater. His shows are always a sellout! ‘Midwest Country’ has consistently received the highest Neilson ratings on the network.”

Church is known throughout the world, and considered by many to be the number one “Hank Williams Tribute.” But he also performs originals and songs from many classic country artists

Last year, David and his wife, Terri Lisa, recorded their video “Live From Texas” in Weslaco, which sold out. Church’s newest CD, “There You Are,” was released in July. He thinks it is his best work yet. It includes remakes of songs previously recorded by Hank Williams, Keith Whitley, and Stonewall Jackson.

Church has received many awards, including “Rising Legend” award given only to the occasional artist that rises to the top, by the NTCMA, (National Traditional Country Music Association). Church was recently awarded, “Male Vocalist” for 2009 by FAME (Families Advocating Moral Entertainment).

Shows in the Valley have included Paradise Park, Trophy Gardens, Victoria Palms and Winter Ranch. Their upcoming shows will be at Sunrise Resort on Feb. 6 and Snow to Sun on Feb. 14. They are planning to return to the Valley in 2011.

For more information on David Church go to www.davidchurch.net.

Jay & Tammy come to Chicken House Opry

Jay and Tammy Roy, who are known for their skills playing guitar, will be hosting their own variety show at the Chicken House Opry on Friday, Feb. 5 and Feb. 26. The guitar duo are known for the variety of music styles they play including swing, big band era, classic country, western, gospel and pop chart favorites.

Jay plays guitar while Tammy plays bass. Together they can perform over 3000 vocal and instrumental selections from music spanning a century of musical selections. They play for dances or shows in church parish halls, lodges, campgrounds, inns, and restaurants, at RV rallies and for community events. In 1989 the couple appeared on “CBS This Morning with Harry Smith and Paula Zahn” who were doing a segment about RVing in the United States.

The couple has been coming to the Rio Grande Valley for 21 years to play for Winter Texans. Their shows have been popular with Winter Texans. Each year they perform several shows at resorts around the Rio Grande Valley in addition to being regulars in the Chicken House Opry Band.

When the couple is not in the Rio Grande Valley they play shows at resorts around the country. They travel the country playing at the Good Sams Samborees in states like Arkansas, Maine (Jay’s home state), New Hampshire, Vermont and Maryland. They have played at FMCA six-state rallies in Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. They also play in the annual “The Best of Texas Festival” in Arlington in September of each year. During the Valley off-season, they also play gigs at the Pearl Schoolhouse in Pearl, Texas and The French Quarter Cafés in Moody and Temple.

The couple also makes annual appearances at the Fiddlers and Followers Weekend in Rustico, Prince Edward Island, Canada where Jay’s mother was born. They also play at the Silver Fox Yacht and Curling Club during summers on Prince Edward Island.

Regardless of where the couple travels from South Texas to Prince Edward Island in northeastern Canada, or Maine in the east to Alaska in the west, they are delighted when audience members tell them they cam back to see their show because they enjoyed it so much before.

In 2008 and again in 2009, Jay received the FAME (Families Advocating Moral Entertainment) for Musician of the Year and Lead Guitarist of the Year in the Rio Grande Valley. Tammy was awarded the 2008 FAME Directors Award. Tammy was the recipient of the 2009 FAME Award for Bassist of the Year, Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “On My Fathers’ Side.”

In November of 2008 Jay and Tammy were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Gatesville both individually and as a duet, in recognition of their contributions to the music industry of Central Texas.

While Jay and Tammy are members of the Chicken House Opry band, they also do shows throughout the Valley. This year they have decided to do something different. They are teaming up with long time friends to do two shows at the Opry House. These are their shows and not part of the regular Opry lineup.

On Friday, Feb. 5, they will team with Clint, Freddie and Sheila Pelletiers, long-time friends of theirs. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Freddie Pelletier started his musical career in 1969 playing on the road and living in Nashville and Toronto before settling in Calgary and forming his own band, “Northwest Rebellion,” which served as the house band for the famed “Ranchman’s” for two years. He has played with notables such as Ian Tyson, Al Cherney and Ferlin Husky.

Sheila made a drastic career change in 1993 when she was working as a registered nurse singing with a local country band on the side. She participated in the Canadian Country Music Week in Hamilton, Ontario and won. She then decided to go out on her own. She and Freddie became partners in 1994 when they formed a dance band. Freddie’s son, Clint, soon joined in the fun. The three became known as The Pelletiers.

Sheila sings a variety of musical styles including folk music, jazz, bluegrass and traditional country. Her crystal clear voice does justice to all the styles.

Clint started playing guitar at 11 and later attended the Grant McEwan College music program in Edmonton. He did a world tour with “Barrage,” and now works as a freelance guitarist playing everything from bluegrass to jazz to rock.

Jay & Tammy’s second show will be on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Featured guests are Keith Ross and Andy Anderson.

A talented musician, Ross plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass guitar. At 12 years old, his father gave him a calf to raise. He sold it at age 16 and got his first guitar and amplifier. In 1952 he started playing guitar with an old-time dance band in Nova Scotia. In the 1950’s and 60’s he played with “The Arcadians: In the 1970’s he formed his own band, “The Novas.” and later, “Stage 5.” The bands played local bars.

In the 1982 he recorded “Swingin’ Fiddles” and in 1995, Swingin’ Fiddles in Nashville.”

He has played in dance bands and bluegrass bands. He gives music lessons for fiddle, guitar, mandolin, base and rhythm piano. He now spends winters in South Texas where he plays concerts in many RV parks across the Valley.
Andy Anderson, who is the comedian for the show has years of stage experience, performing as an opening act and doing backup work for such Nashville greats as Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride and many more. Andy’s love is to get people to laugh but he is also a great vocalist. Andy and his wife have worked in the Rio Grande Valley for 10 years as Feather River.

To purchase tickets for either of these shows call (254) 541-2100, (479)-970-5204, or (956) 583-7045. The shows are taking place at the Chicken House Opry but are being put on by Jay and Tammy. Opry owner Bob Reed said the Opry building was available for rent by other entertainers looking for a venue to do a show when the Opry was not using the site. Call (479) 970-5204 for information.