"Georgia Jubilee" Daytime Entertainment

Take in the terrific music, dancing, and comedy acts scheduled during the daytime hours at FMCA's Perry, Georgia, convention.

By Doug Uhlenbrock
Associate Editor

Most folks are captivated by the big-name acts that perform during the evenings at FMCA international conventions, but plenty of great music, laughter, and fun can be had during the daylight hours as well. The "Georgia Jubilee" confab, March 19, 20, 21, and 22, 2007, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, will be no exception, with a lineup of daytime entertainment acts that will have you whistling a happy tune throughout the day.

Daytime entertainment will take place in two different locales at the Perry convention. The Daytime Entertainment Stage, sponsored by Jayco Inc., C9334, will be located in Sheep Barn I adjacent to the New South Arena. The "Georgia Jubilee" Stage will be situated in the Coach Exhibit Area south of Reaves Arena, between the National RV and Sportscoach displays.

Kicking everything off Monday, March 19, will be Keith Longbotham, who will take the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage at noon. Keith, who folks may remember from his performances at FMCA's 2006 Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina, and 2002 Hutchinson, Kansas, conventions, is an experienced musician and singer who also happens to be darn funny. His show includes a nice blend of country, bluegrass, and gospel music, topped with a dollop of wholesome comedy. Keith also will perform at the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage on Tuesday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m.

On Monday at 2:00 p.m., Flakey The Magic Clown will perform his "Magic Show For Kids Of All Ages" at the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage. Flakey, better known as Henry Gartner, F197563, when not in makeup, has delighted FMCA audiences for years with his balloon creations and magic tricks. Flakey often asks members of the audience to assist him with his act — to hilarious results — so don't be surprised if he chooses you. Flakey will perform a second show on Wednesday, March 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage. He also will entertain the youngsters at Youth Center registration on Monday and at the Youth Centers throughout the convention. Flakey will appear in Perry courtesy of Blue Ox, C2903, an FMCA Three Star sponsor.

Those who can't wait to check out the new motorhomes that will be displayed in Perry can get a sneak peek at the latest models during the "Motorhome Preview" on Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the outdoor exhibit area. A variety of bus conversions and production motorhomes in all sizes and price ranges will be open for inspection. In addition, don't miss strolling through "Class B/C Area," a special display of type B and type C motorhomes.

Helping kick-start the Motorhome Preview on Monday will be Johnny Roquemore and The Apostles of Bluegrass, who will take the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage at 3:00 p.m. The band, which is based in Mansfield, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, has played throughout the South, wowing audiences with its brand of driving bluegrass music and humorous original songs. The trio is led by songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist Johnny Roquemore, who shares the stage with Jon Nipper (banjo, mandolin, and harmonica) and Marcus Bramlett (upright bass).

On Monday at 4:30 p.m. the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage will sparkle with one of FMCA members' all-time favorite acts, Willie & Company. Ventriloquist Peggy Miller and her sidekick, Willie, have provided good times at FMCA conventions and rallies for more than 15 years. Willie & Company also will appear on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage, courtesy of Freightliner Custom Chassis, C1905, an FMCA Five Star sponsor.

Willie is the star of the show and makes sure everyone in the audience knows it. With a quick wit and soft heart, he charms the women, pokes fun at the men, and amazes the children with his stories and songs. The clever 6-year-old may seem like a troublemaker, but he really just enjoys making people laugh. You'll be amazed at how quickly you forget who's actually doing the talking.

Rounding out the first day of entertainment on the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage will be the Special Edition International Dance Show Team at 6:00 p.m. For 20 years this Atlanta-based clogging group has entertained audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia with its renditions of this traditional style of folk dancing. Clogging is a blending of English, German, Scottish, and Irish dance steps that came together in the melting pot of the Appalachian Mountains where it gradually evolved to the dance you see today. Although clogging is often associated with bluegrass music, today it's performed to contemporary music as well.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 20, start each convention morning with complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, and doughnuts, while quantities last, at Morning Coffee Hour, beginning at 7:00 a.m., courtesy of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., C9158, an FMCA Super Star sponsor. The Coffee Hour Area will be adjacent to the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage.

In addition, complimentary newspapers will be distributed during this time, while supplies last, courtesy of the Houston Daily Journal, an FMCA One Star sponsor. Also, make sure to keep up-to-date on all the latest convention happenings by picking up a copy of the official FMCA "Georgia Jubilee" newsletter, sponsored by National Interstate, C7160, an FMCA Three Star sponsor, each Coffee Hour morning.

While you're enjoying your morning treats, take in the sounds of FMCA's own Frustrated Maestros, who will perform Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage. This eclectic ensemble, composed of members from FMCA's 10 Frustrated Maestros chapters, has been a convention staple since the first Frustrated Maestros chapter was formed in 1981. Clap your hands, tap your feet, and sing along as the Maestros liven up the mornings. The group also will perform on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage before and during the ever-popular Ice Cream Social, which will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. The cool treats will be distributed in the area around the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage compliments of Dempsey & Siders Agency, C11039, an FMCA Two Star sponsor.

You won't believe your eyes when Mike Fuller . . . The Magician appears on the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage Tuesday at noon. Mike, whose interest in prestidigitation began at an early age, captivates audiences with his unbelievable magic tricks, leaving onlookers muttering to themselves, "How'd he do that?" The Macon, Georgia, resident is the host of a popular weekly children's television show, "The Magic Club," on WMAZ-TV, and has performed at the Georgia National Fair and throughout central Georgia. Mike also will perform on Thursday, March 22, at 10:00 a.m. on the Daytime Entertainment Stage.

Get "All Shook Up" on Tuesday when John Haines: The Voice of Elvis takes the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage at 3:30 p.m. to pay tribute to the "King of Rock and Roll." Close your eyes and imagine Elvis Presley in the "house" as John belts out favorites such as "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," and other classics from Presley's amazing career.

So you've always wanted to be in a band, huh? Well, you'll get your chance on Wednesday, March 21, at noon when The Kazoobie Kazoo Show with Rick Hubbard gets going on the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage. For more than two decades, Rick has been humming on his kazoo to the delight of audiences, bringing music, comedy, and family fun to anyone, even if they don't have a lick of musical ability. Everyone in the audience gets a free kazoo, and all of the kids are invited to join Rick onstage for a command performance. Other folks will have to wait until the grand finale to demonstrate their kazoo-playing ability. Rick also will perform during the Red Hat Tea on Thursday, March 22, at 1:15 p.m. in the Georgia Building, handing out red and purple kazoos to everyone in attendance.

The husband-and-wife duo called Playin' Possum will take the "Georgia Jubilee" Stage on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Bill and Sue Davis have been performing bluegrass and country gospel music since 1997 when they were persuaded to take their back-room act onto the stage. Since then they've been entertaining audiences at fairs, festivals, street conventions, and other events. This Macon couple will have listeners tapping their feet and clapping their hands with old-time favorites played on the guitar, banjo, and mandolin.

On Thursday at noon, you'll want to head over to the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage to see and hear The Claude Hicks Vocal Band. The band, which formed in 1998, plays traditional and contemporary bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music in varying formats, from bluesy solos to upbeat three- and four-part harmonies. The group includes Claude Hicks on the guitar; his wife, Lyn, on the mandolin and fiddle; Alisa Rehberg on the dobro; Bobby Rhodes picking the five-string banjo; Everett Clackler sawing the fiddle; and John Williamson plucking the bass.

The Perry High School Jazz Band will take the Jayco Daytime Entertainment Stage Thursday at 2:00 p.m., followed at 3:30 p.m. by the Perry Middle School Jazz Band. These talented students will amaze you with their musical abilities.