Jim Stafford Show
Branson, Missouri, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
We laughed ourselves silly at the Jim Stafford Show. The singer/songwriter of “Spiders and Snakes” is an awesome showman, comedian and musician. He has built a 21-year career on that song’s Top 40 success as the star of his own show in Branson, Missouri.
When “Spiders and Snakes” hit the airwaves, it wasn’t a big deal with me. But it was for my younger sister, Debby. At a bar in Ft. Lauderdale, a guy struck up a conversation with her asking, “Do you like ‘Spiders and Snakes’?” She heard “spiders and snakes” the critters, not the song, and thought he was some kind of weirdo. That didn’t stop Rich from pursuing the conversation. He eventually convinced Debby that there really was a song called “Spiders and Snakes.” His come-on worked—they’ve been married for 35 years.
Watching Jim Stafford in action, I understand why he’s such a hit. He interacts with the audience, tells hilarious wholesome jokes, loves silliness and satire, and plays a mean guitar. During the intermission, he sat on the edge of the stage, posing for photos and signing autographs. Stafford ended the show playing “Malaga” on the classical guitar—I could have listened to his masterful performance for hour.
From a duct-taped guitar and cow pies to superb music and a gripping 3D movie, the Jim Stafford show entertained an audience covering nine decades of age. It looked like the kid in the booster seat was having as much fun as the World War II 63rd Infantry veterans celebrating their reunion.
They say every show varies. I can see myself going back for seconds, maybe even thirds. - http://davidandrose.com/2010/03/24/spider-snakes-jim-stafford-rocks/
Jim Stafford joins the ranks of Elvis, Shania Twain, Glen Campbell, Faith Hill, Marty Robbins, Lonestar, John Denver and others whose songs chart topping billboard songs have also been Hot 100 Country Songs. With Spiders & Snakes sitting in the top 50, Jim’s 1974 hit was fun for both pop/rock-n-roll fans and for country fans. Click here to see the full list of the hottest Country Songs to appear on The Billboard Hot 100 during the chart’s first 50 years - http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top-country.shtml
Discography
Jim’s Songs off of CD’s:
Jim Stafford Greatest Hits:
1. Spiders & Snakes
2. I Ain’t Sharin’ Sharon
3. My Girl Bill
4. The Last Chant
5. Wildwood Weed
6. Mr. Bojangles- Visit With An Old Friend
7. Cow Patti
8. I Can’t Find Nobody Home
9. Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne
10. Swamp Witch
Don’t Tell Mama I’m A Guitar Picker
1. Don’t Tell Mama
2. Bluegrass Growing In My Yard
3. Hwy 60 Blues
4. A Real Good Time
5. Guitar Heroes
6. Turn Loose of My Leg
7. When You Walked Away From Me
8. Flat Nose Tree Climbing Dog
9. A Little Bit Late
10. Guitar Acrobat
Jim Stafford Live in Branson Double the Fun
1. Rollin’ Around Up In Heaven- written by John Hadley, performed by Jim
2. Dixie- written by John Hadley, performed by Jim
3. Turn Loose of My Leg – Jim Stafford & Willie Hammond
4. That’s What Little Kids Do – written by John Hadley, performed by Jim
5. Rockabilly Shuffle- Jim Stafford
6. Amazing Grace – arrangement by Jim Stafford
7. Wildwood Flower – written by A.B. Carter, performed by Jim Stafford
8. Wildwood Weed- written & performed by Jim Stafford, Don Bowman
9. Layenda Pipeline- Jim Stafford, Brian Carman, Bob Spickard,
10. Shenandoah- arrangement by Jim Stafford
11. Cow Patti – Jim Stafford
12. Banjo Medley – arrangement by Jim Stafford
13. Music of the Night – Andrew Lloyd Weber - performed by Jim Stafford on Harmonica, Doug Reid – Violin and Tamara Holden - flute
14. Spiders & Snakes – Jim Stafford, David Bellamy
15. Swamp Witch – Jim Stafford
16. Mr. Bojangles – Jerry Jeff Walker
17. A Visit With An Old Friend- arrangement by Jim Stafford
18. Flight of the Bumblebee- arrangement by Jim Stafford
19. Classical Gas – Mason Williams
Photos
Bio
Jim Stafford
America’s Favorite Jim Stafford Songs
Jim wrote and recorded his first chart making song, The Swamp Witch, produced by his boyhood friend Kent LaVoie a/k/a Lobo in 1974. He followed with a gold single, Spiders and Snakes, which stayed on the American pop charts for 26 weeks. The hits just kept coming and included My Girl Bill, Wildwood Weed, and the wonderfully satirical Cow Patti, written for the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can, in which Jim appeared.
National Television Star
Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. His numerous television appearances included music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show Those Amazing Animals with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. Jim also hosted 56 episodes of Nashville on the Road and made 26 appearances on the Tonight Show. In 1987 & 1988, Jim was a regular performer and head write/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He has also worked with Joan Rivers, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Glenn Campbell, Gallagher and many others.
Songwriter
Jim wrote many of the songs for which he is famous and has brought his inimitable style to several movie soundtracks. He received a gold record for his work in the Disney movie The Fox and The Hound and writes for other popular artists such as his Can’t Get The Hell Out of Texas recorded by George Jones and Jerry Reed. Recently Jim has written and recorded such songs as Layenda Pipeline, Don’t Be Chicken When It’s Time To Crow, Talk That Guitar and more. He has released his second classical guitar album Somewhere In Time and recently released another album Don't Tell Mama I'm A Guitar Picker.
Live Performer
Jim’s first love has always been live performance. This love brought him to Branson, Missouri, where he owns a theater and entertains visitors year long. The singer, songwriter, comic genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica and the human brain--he might bring any of them into play at any moment.
Jim produces and stars in his show in Branson where for over 20 years his show is always named a favorite by audiences and critics alike. Jim has been voted Best Entertainer, Best Personality and Best Comedy Show by 417 Magazine, the Springfield NewsLeader and the Branson Entertainment Awards. Mayflower Tours has named Jim’s Show as one of their top ten suppliers in North America.
During his show Jim combines hysterical comedy with masterful performances on the classical guitar as well as with heart-warming stories of the human spirit. Critically acclaimed as the “Victor Borge of the Guitar”, Jim creates hilarious antics from everyday life taking laughter to a new art form.
Laser lights, a real 3-D Virtual Thrill Ride (created and developed in-house), and more are just a few of the zany surprises that await you. Flying saucers hover, guitars drop, cows stampede, and Chihuahuas are saved, all in one experience at the Jim Stafford Show.
Jim’s son, Sheaffer, has joined his father on stage since he was 10 days old. Shea plays drums, slide guitar, fiddle, glockenspiel, and piano. Daughter G.G. (Georgia Garland) joins her father on stage as well -- performing on the piano, glockenspiel, and harp. Jim creates beautiful segments during the show to display some amazing musical numbers by both kids.
Jim’s Branson theatre is reminiscent of the great theaters of the 40’s and 50’s. From the award-winning landscaping to the lighting and sound, the Jim Stafford Theatre is one of the most technologically advanced in the country. The stage background is actually a 14’ x 40’ computer screen, enabling the show to be enhanced by incredible graphics and video.
Professional
Visitors to Branson can get another taste of Jim’s talent at IMAX Theatre in the opening segment Neighbors, which Jim wrote and produced. Recently, Jim’s play Neighborhood Watch premiered on the Springfield Little Theatre stage and ran for a season in Branson.
Jim and his wife Ann received the coveted Ambassadors Award from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB and led the drive to extend Branson to a year round destination in a promotion called “Hot Winter Fun”. Both Jim and Ann have served on the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber Board of Directors, The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers, and many volunteer committees.
Jim wrote the song used for the video Branson Has More Then A Hundred Shows, Hearts Full of Song, and several promotional songs for the Branson area including Down On Table Rock Lake, Branson Town, Just Give Me Branson, Even Santa Vacations In Branson, and others. Jim’s TV commercials, radio ads, and print advertising have received numerous Silver and Gold Addys, as well as Tellys.
Born in Winterhaven, Florida, Jim was recently inducted in
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