JIM STAFFORD

For over 23 years I've been entertaining at my own theater in Branson, Missouri, called the Live Music Show Capital of the World. I am a comedian, singer, songwriter,and entertainer. I'm self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, and harmonica. I was born in Winterhaven, Florida. In high school, my friends, songwriter Bobby Braddock, Kent LaVoie and Gram Parsons (of the Byrds) and I played together in a band. I was introduced to comedy while playing with Jumpin’ Bill Carlisle in Nashville as a guitarist. My first chart making song, Swamp Witch, was produced by my friend Kent LaVoie a/k/a Lobo in 1974. A gold single, Spiders and Snakes, followed. Other songs off of that first album included My Girl Bill, Wildwood Weed, and more. A second album Not Just Another Pretty Foot had some nice numbers on it too. Cow Patti, was written for the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can, (I made an appearance in that film). I have several other albums including Don't Tell Mama I'm a Guitar Picker, Jim Stafford's Greatest Hits, Somewhere In Time, and others. I received a gold record for my work on the Disney movie The Fox and The Hound. Some other songs I've written include Can’t Get The Hell Out of Texas, Layenda Pipeline, Don’t Be Chicken When It’s Time To Crow, Talk That Guitar and more. In 1975 I had my own show on ABC. I've done a lot of music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. I co-hosted Those Amazing Animals with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. Also hosted 56 episodes of Nashville on the Road and made 26 appearances on the Tonight Show. In 1987 & 1988, I was a regular performer and head writer/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. While writing, producing, directing, and performing my own show here in Branson, I have also had a great time creating special TV and radio commercials for my show as well as for the town of Branson. My wife, Ann, and our two children, Sheaffer and G.G., live just outside Branson and enjoy the small town atmosphere.