Although he is widely known for his The Gambler Show, Rick McEwen is much more than just the gambler. He sings, strums, cracks jokes, and tell stories about his childhood. He entertains them all. He has fun with what he does, and it shows at all of his performances.
Rick says he enjoys performing for Winter Texans because of their love of traditional music…. and that they love to dance. He likes seeing audience members enjoying his shows by dancing, clapping, smiling from their seats.
He is most known for his Kenny Rogers music, even though he has been told he looks like an older Elvis. He doesn’t only perform Kenny Rogers songs though. You can find him singing some Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and even Loretta Lynn. He can add that twang in his voice when needed, or just sing out the good ole country ballad.
He has been entertaining for 45 years. He has spent most of those years performing Branson music shows where he entertains people from California to London and from Northern Canada to Mexico. He currently performs his Gambler show in Branson during the summer months.
His performing has earned him a Traditional Music Hall of Fame membership. Rick is the producer of the Branson Terry Awards. He has performed with Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Earl Scruggs, Jim Stafford, and Gene Watson. He shares stories of performing with other artists like the time he was the featured singer for Jim Statler or performed as the Country Ozark Boys. He has also opened for a lot of artists during his time. He also has three sons that he is very proud of.
He says singing and performing has been the drive of his life. He sings every style – country, Rock N Roll, big songs and ballads, classic rock, bluegrass and rhythm and blues. He plans on singing as long as he can.
At a recent performance he shared his love for Veterans and how he was recently honored to become an Honorary Wolfhound. When he can, he dedicates a lot of his time to doing shows for Veterans. He takes time to listen to their stories – the good and the not so good. He said he is continually honored and blessed to be able to honor those that have served.
Be careful, he is known for asking for volunteers to perform duets with him as well, but it always makes for an exciting, fun show. At the show we went to he ended it with Kenny Rogers’ “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Then he had to loosen everyone up by performing YMCA.
If you like a lot of country, and a little bit of rock n roll, be sure to check Rick out at any of his upcoming shows. He also performs a few more times at Mustang Lounge. You can find his full schedule online at rickmcewen.com or on Facebook at Rick McEwen Entertainer.
