BRANSON ON THE ROAD

Donnie Wright
~ Biography ~

Donnie Wright, the last of four children, was born in Bolivar, Missouri into a musical family. His mother, Norma played the guitar and his father, Walter, also a musician, hosted is own country and gospel radio show in Springfield, Missouri in the early 1950’s.

In 1960 Donnie showed his first interest in music by wanting to become a drummer in a school band (which there was no band). His mother, seeing his desire for music, encouraged him to play guitar instead. His mother showed him his first guitar chords and his musical aptitude was immediately apparent. Donnie’s parents had taught him all they could and arranged for lessons for Donnie with a local musician. Herman Hayes, who was 80 years old at the time, was the founder of “Hootin’ & Hollerin’ Days” in Gainesville, Missouri (still going on today). Mr. Hayes was a great influence on Donnie. He taught Donnie mandolin, guitar and fiddle. He challenged him with very difficult musical pieces, mostly pop songs from the 1920’s. Mr. Hayes gave Donnie a piece of advice that he took to heart, “If you love what you do and you’re good at it, you will always have work.”

Donnie started his first public appearances performing in local school houses that were used as community centers. He would play his fiddle and mandolin with the local players. He was also starting to give lessons at this young age to adults. At 10 years old, Donnie “turned professional” when he was hired to be part of the “Farm-arama” show at the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri which was broadcast on KWTO Radio. Donnie played mandolin and fiddle on this show. The “Farmarma” show featured Nashville performers, Buck Owens, Bobby Bare, Tom T. Hall and many others that Donnie played for.

The Presley’s (the first show on 76 Country Blvd. in Branson) began their careers during this same time performing at the Fantastic Caverns. He would bring out a milk crate and stand on it to reach the microphones. He was known as “Little Donnie Wright”. In later years The Presley’s Show has become a landmark in the Branson music scene and Donnie worked with them many times throughout the years.

At 11 years old Donnie was featured on the “Slim Wilson TV Show” from KY-3 TV in Springfield, Missouri. From that appearance Donnie was asked to perform on an “Ozark Jubilee Reunion” show where he performed with bluegrass legends Jim & Jesse McReynolds. This was a nationally syndicated television show and Donnie received letters from people from all across the country regarding his performances on these shows. Donnie worked for a Bolivar, Missouri musical family known as The Childress Family. They performed regionally and owned a local music store.

Ralph A. Hunt, a politician in Springfield, Missouri reopened the Jewel Theatre in Springfield (the original home of the Ozark Jubilee) and started the Four Star Opry. Donnie was hired as part of the show playing fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Donnie was also a comedian on the show and in his spare time gave music lessons in the lobby of the theater before and after shows. In additional to the Four Star Opry, Donnie was also part of a Branson show (owned and operated by Mr. Hunt) called, The Ozark Mountain Dewers. This group recorded an album of the same name. This was the first of many recordings Donnie was a part of.

In Horsehoe Bend, Arkansas, a national syndicated television show featuring Nashville country music stars such as Merle Haggard and Webb Piece was produced. The Ozark Mountain Dewers group was also part of this production which included the young Donnie Wright.

Donnie began working for The Dave Drennon Show in Nixa, Missouri (shows 4 nights per week). (It should be noted that years later this production moved and became the Pine Mountain Jamboree in Eureka Springs, Arkansas which Dave owned and operated for 31 years and Donnie was a part of many of those years of shows).

Between 1972 - 1973 Jim Weatherly started the fourth country music show in Branson, Missouri on 76 Hwy. called “Ozark Jamboree”. At 18 years of age, this was Donnie’s first exposure as band leader/music director of the production. He was responsible for hiring the personnel and putting material together for the show.

Donnie was hired by The Presley’s to be part of their show on the Branson “76 Hwy. strip”. This was the same family group that started performing at Fantastic Caverns, along with Donnie, in 1964. In addition to performing on the show, Donnie was a private tutor to the Presley’s children teaching them fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass.

In 1976 Donnie was offered a position with country singer Judy Lynn who was one of the first country music stars to regularly appear in Las Vegas. The Presley family encouraged Donnie to take advantage of this opportunity. Judy Lynn was renowned for her flamboyant western wear and traveled with an 8 piece band of which Donnie was a part. Donnie performed on the Judy Lynn Show at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas for three years before returning to the Ozarks

Donnie returned to the Childress Family show in 1979 and concentrated on teaching. During this year he worked at the Childress music studio and had up to 44 students per week. Donnie also started an interest in piano and piano tuning and began tuning pianos as he could work it into his schedule. One of his piano tuning clients was Mickey Gilley. He turned Mickey’s piano for 8 years in Branson.

Donnie met Warren Stokes, another music promoter from the Springfield, Missouri area and Mr. Stokes hired Donnie as music director of the “Ozark Country Jubilee” which started in Springfield at theater built specifically for the show. A syndicated television, “Ozark Country Jubilee Live” (filmed in the Ozark Country Jubilee theatre and televised in 48 states) was also produced during this time. 26 episodes were made and Donnie was the executive director of the show. He was responsible for the song selection, arrangements and comedy. In addition to the theatre schedule and the TV production, The Ozark Country Jubilee had an extensive road show itinerary during the off season (November thru March) – about 80 dates during that period. In 1983 The Ozark Country Jubilee moved to Branson, Missouri and Donnie remained with the production.

Donnie returned to the Presley’s Show in Branson in 1983 as co-producer and continued teaching at the Childress music studio. In 1986 Donnie opened his own music studio, Wright Music Studio, in the Branson area. He averaged 100 students per week. This studio operated through 1998.

Warren Stokes (owner of the Ozark Country Jubilee) started a new show called “Warren Stokes Country Review” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1986 and he hired Donnie to be the music director of the show. The show consisted of a cast of 20 singers and musicians.

Donnie was hired by his old friend, Dave Drennon in 1990 (see 1969) to play on the Pine Mountain Jamboree in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Donnie also produced a comedy video for Jerol Adams, a.k.a. “Hargus Marcel”. This comedian is one of the premier comics in the Ozarks. Donnie stayed with the Pine Mountain Jamboree for six years.

In conjunction with Wright’s Studio, Donnie opened “The Sugar Tree Little Theater” in Galena, Missouri. This was designed as a teaching and performing academy (see newspaper article). There were as many as 100 students he taught per week.

In 1997 Donnie was approach by Jim Steelman, a local entrepreneur, about starting a new show in Cassville, Missouri at a theater he had purchased. The Roaring River Theater show began and Donnie was the music director and manager of the theater. (It should be noted that the Sugar Tree Little Theatre and the Wright Music Studio was still in operation.)

Jan Hupfauer of Dallas, Texas, contacted Donnie in 1998 about producing the The Eureka Springs Opry show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Donnie served as theatre manager and music director. (It should be noted that the Sugar Tree Little Theatre and the Wright Music Studio was still in operation.)

Country Music star, Johnny Lee, of the Urban Cowboy Tour, contacted Donnie in 2000 to work road dates with him. Donnie traveled with the Johnny Lee show throughout the US and performed with Lee on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee several times. During this time Donnie also recorded with Grand Ole Opry star BoxCar Willie.

Donnie started with a group called, The Hortons in 2001. He appeared on a broadcast of the Louisiana Hayride on KWKH Radio performing on the stage of the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport (the original home of the Louisiana Hayride).

2002 to Present - Donnie and his wife, Debbie, have co-created and co-produced a new show called “Branson On The Road^® ”. This show brings the Ozark style of music and production to rural America enabling people who my never have the opportunity to see a Branson show and chance to see a Branson-style production in their hometown. Branson On The Road^® is seen on the RFD-TV show “Midwest Country” on a regular basis. Donnie is playing the theme song, “Black Mountain Rag” for this TV show. Branson On The Road^® plays predominantly in historic theaters throughout America and donates a portion of each ticket sales back to restoration and preservations of the arts in those communities.

In 2005 Donnie experienced a personal tragedy when a house fire virtually destroyed everything he owned. He was lucky to escape with his life. The Branson entertainment community rallied on his behalf having a benefit show for him to help him get back on his feet. He lost many prized musical instruments and keepsakes from a lifetime of playing and working in the Ozarks.

In between Branson On The Road^® marketing, promotion and road dates, Donnie performs in Branson continues to record in his own studio and mentor musicians. Donnie has been nominated for a 2008 Lifetime Honors Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C. in recognition of his contributions to the folks arts in the Ozarks.

Donnie's extraordinary talent of having mastered the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass, along with his charm and wit has endeared him to audiences everywhere.

How to contact Branson On The Road^®

You are visitor:

Donnie & Debbie Horton Wright are the owners and originators of the site content. Information is subject to change without notice. Comments or questions regarding this website should be directed to the Webmaster.
Branson On The Road is a Federally Registered Trademark.
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.