Diamond Lake Resort, Owensboro, Kentucky

Date: May 10, 2014

Photo Credits: Helen Neal, Peggy Mattingly

The Lanham Brothers Jamboree is family friendly and lots of fun. Each year, as the word spreads, the comfortable theatre at Diamond Lakes Resort holds a larger audience. Skits, dancers and outstanding musical talent are the hallmark of the show. Wade had 2 segments of the show featuring him and his guitar on songs that he'd recorded. One that he hasn’t recorded that was very ispirational was the Old Rugged Cross.

He also provided guitar and harmony for other members of the show. Jenny Beth Willis was one of the standout entertainers. She has been in the studio with Wade as the producer and guitar player. She was exceptional in her rendition of I Don’t Love You Anymore, originally cut by Travis Tritt.

The cloggers had some very distinctive, fun and appealing routines. In addition to a well-executed standard square dance routine, the ensemble dressed as the 1920s flapper era when they performed to How I Love That Man. And for another twist, the troup slipped into 1970s garb to do Boogie Shoes. The dancers are taught and led by Barry Lanham, considered the master of instruction in Appalachian Clogging.

Brother Randy is an amazing fiddle player, who has played professionally on the road with several top Nashville musicians (including Wade, of course). Randy currently teaches music as the Education Director at the International Bluegrass Music Museum and arts teacher at the River Park Center. He also does private and group lessons. Many of his students are featured peformers.

Leland Isbill, who played the harmonica, was a featured performer on Folsum Prison Blues and Working Man Blues.

Jeff "Wildman" Hardesty is always a favorite on the show as a singer and a performer in the skits. This year’s skit was brilliant. The premise: How would other singers perform Wade’s signature song, Old Enough to Know Better. Cast members took turns performing in the style of the different singers. Jeff was excellent as Willie Nelson and Neil Young. Randy did Justin Bieber and brought the house down as Susan Boyle. Wade sat on a stool and watched the shenanigans. Then the crew members turned him around, slipped a shirt on him, gave him a pair of sun glasses and a ball cap turned sideways and sent him on stage as Vanilla Ice. It was all such fun.

The Lanham Brothers Jamboree performances begin the second Saturday in May and are held each second Saturday through September at the Diamond Lakes Resort. It is recorded by KET, Kentucky Educational TV. They will show this year’s events next year.