(Alphabetical Order)
Michael Hix
Michael began leading song service in his church when was eight years old. He grew up in a musical family. His late grandfather played with the Texas Playboys, while his grandmother, mother, aunt, and father all sang. Michael grew up wanting to be an actor/comedian prior to pursuing his music career. Throughout grade school and college, he performed in many musicals, comedies, and dramatic plays. He also starred in several local commercials. Michael’s love of performance shifted towards music once he discovered he could combine all of his traits.
In 2000, Michael and his band “September Drive,” toured the country and had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Bret Michaels, Rick Springfield, Loverboy, and Sugar Ray. In 2003, Michael appeared on the KPRC, NBC affiliate reality television show “Gimme the Mic.” He placed 2nd in the overall competition, which allowed him to open up for Cher. In 2005 he performed on the televised Miss Texas Pageant as a featured artist. He is currently a member of the Johnnie High Country Music Revue, in which he emcees the weekly program. This show has aired on the PBS network, most recently aired two seasons on the RFD-TV network, and currently airs on the America One Network. He also performed as a special guest on the nationally televised show “The Club House.” Michael continues to pursue his entertainment career as he travels nationally performing for corporate events, private events, concerts, and television.
Shelly Knapp
Shelly is a native of Ft. Worth, Texas. She grew up singing in church and at home with her father who played the acoustic guitar. She discovered her passion for entertaining in front of a live audience when she began singing on the Texas Opry circuit in the early 90s. She then found her stage home at the Johnnie High Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas where she has performed since 1996. There she was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. She was also a part of two televised seasons on RFD-TV.
Over the last several years, some of her professional highlights include: feature performer at the 76 Music Hall & Live Radio Show in Branson, Missouri; a performance for Radio Host Bob Kingsley with former Dixie Chicks lead-singer Laura Lynch; and several political and congressional events in Texas, Virginia, and Maryland, high-lighted by a private performance for Congressional wives in the home of Senator Jack Kemp with members of the Bush family in attendance. Shelly was also employed by the Department of Defense in Germany and was the featured entertainer at numerous venues throughout Germany and Central Europe. She has a passion for serving the military community, and continues to entertain for a variety of Veterans and military organizations to this day. Shelly served in the United States Marine Corps and now resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband, an active duty Army Officer, and their 2 children.
Danielle Nations
Danielle started performing at the age of 7. She discovered her gift of music while performing in local talent competitions and beauty pageants. At the age of twelve she moved to Nashville, TN to pursue a career as a recording artist. She recorded original material, made numerous performances, and met with several different record companies. At the time, she and her parents felt that she was not quite ready to go on the road, so she returned back to Texas.
She continued working on her craft while competing in the Miss Texas Organization. In 1998 she competed and placed in the World Championship of the Performing Arts. She continued singing in numerous Oprys, National Competitions, churches and charity events. In the summer 2003, she performed with Rhett Akins, Daryle Singletary, Chad Brock, and Wade Hayes for the Honkey Tonk Tailgate Tour in the New England States. She performs locally on the Grapevine Opry and at the Johnnie High Country Music Revue, in which she won female vocalist of the year in 2006. She has appeared numerous times on the televised production of the Miss Texas Pageant, and in 2007 she placed in the top ten and was the overall talent winner. She continues with her education while working and pursing her music career.
Wayne Reed
Wayne began singing in church at the age of five. He grew up leading praise and worship and went on to lead in some of the largest and most successful churches in Texas. The Promiseland of Austin aired their services with Wayne leading praise and worship on live television and web casts. Wayne has also appeared on major Christian television networks, including Daystar.
Wayne has appeared on the Trinity Broadcasting Network on many occasions. He sang on the live show with many artists including Larry Gatlin, Russ Taff, Randy Phillips, and Janet Pascal. Wayne has also appeared in concert with other Christian artists such as Bebe and Cece Winans. Wayne not only has performed gospel music but music of many genres. He is currently a cast member of the Johnnie High Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas. This show filmed two seasons and was aired on RFD-TV. Wayne earned his Master’s degree in Business Management. Wayne also served in the United States Navy.
John Sharp
John is a very seasoned vocalist. Once a major gospel recording artist with the Calvary Records label of Nashville and Christian World in Oklahoma City, his career produced eight solo projects while touring the world. Currently, John is the lead singer for Generation; an oldies rock and roll quartet based out of Ft. Worth, Texas. Generation has also recorded four albums. John is currently a cast member of the Johnnie High Country Music Revue. This show filmed two seasons and was aired on RFD-TV.
John is also much more than a solo artist. He is very accomplished in performing back-up vocals, both on album projects as well as live concerts. He sang back-up vocals for Leann Rimes, Steve Holy, and Little Jimmie Dickens. This includes appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. John has also written countless songs, one of which is Uh Huh. John performed his song in St. Louis, Mo in the first season of Rhythms of the Road, and Steve Holy has recorded this song for a future album release. John also served in the United States Air Force.
The Band:
Mark Gheen (Keyboard)
John Martinez (Drums)
An in-demand drummer, songwriter and producer, John is a graduate from the world-renowned High School of Music and Art in New York City and alumnus of the Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Fingerfoot Music Productions owner John has recorded or performed (nationally, internationally and for TV) with Larry Blackmon of Cameo, Jesse Powell, Ronnie Laws, Jennifer Perryman, FACE, Rachel Avonne, Bailey Brown, Kacey Musgraves, Woody Lee, Tom Browne, Kim Waters, Russ Taff, Cindy Cruise-Ratcliff, Bernard Wright, Dennis Edwards and the New Temptations, the Drifters, Rodney Bowens, Larry Willis, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Scott Springfield, Howard Scott (WAR), Andy Timmons, Deion Sanders, Robert Whitfield, Bobby Sparks, Buddy Miles, Bill Tillman and many others. John's own CD "Catalyst" features Bernard Wright and Mike McKinney.
Notable venues where he has performed include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tulley Hall, the Wild Horse Saloon, the Eisemann Center, the Old Parliament House (Singapore), and many military bases overseas during his work for the US Department of Defense (AFE-MWR). In June 2008 John had the honor of performing for His Excellency President S R Nathan of Singapore as a member of world-renowned electronic music group Xenovibes. John is a member of ASCAP since 1999.
Boo Massey (Electric Guitar)
Boo grew up in a musical family. His father, a working musician, got him started on guitar at an early age. He began playing in Blues and R&B bands while still in high school, though his first performing experience was at church. He continued to fine-tune his skills touring and playing in countless bands of nearly every style. He is as diverse as his influences, which includes everyone from Radiohead to Merle Haggard.
He has appeared numerous times on television, such as the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and he has played with diverse collection of artist such as: Joel Sonnier, Steve Holy, Linda Davis Demi Lovato (also Demi’s guitar instructor), John LaMonica, Ronnie Laws, Jean Carnes, Jennifer Perryman, Xenovibes, Woody Lee, Jolie Hoiliday, Randy Phillips, and Bernard Wright. Boo is the staff lead guitarist for the Johnnie High Country Music Revue, which includes two television seasons broadcast on RFD-TV. Boo currently lives in Ft Worth Texas. He keeps busy as one of the areas most in demand guitarist, lending his talents to countless sessions and live concerts. Boo is also one of the most sought after guitar instructors in North Texas.
Curtis Randall (Bass Guitar)
Curtis has played with a very long list of artist over the years: Leann Rimes, Eddie Arnold, Gary Stewart, Deborah Allen, Bryan White, Johnnie Paycheck, Johnny Rodriguez, Razzy Bailey, and many more. The list of major tours that Curtis was on is equally as impressive: Allan Jackson, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yokum, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, and Randy Travis. Curtis is also no stranger to television. His credits include The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The View, Regis and Kelly, Rosie O’Donnell, The Today show, 40th Annual Grammy awards, CMA, and The American Music Awards. Curtis even appeared in Home For The Holidays, a made for TV movie, with a speaking part.
Curtis was with Leann Rimes exclusively from 1994 – 2003 as music director, bass player, back up vocalist, and road manager. He played bass on six different albums (Blue, Early Years, Unchained Melody, You Light Up My life, How Do I Live, Sitting On Top of the World) and also provided back up vocals. Curtis also played on Steve Holy’s #1 hit “Good Morning Beautiful”. Curtis played for Gary Stewart on and off since the early 90’s until Gary passed away in 2003. Other notables to his credit include Joe Miller (iron man album), Dallas Holm, Woody Lee, Kacey Musgraves, and Bailey Brown. (American Idol contestant)
Steve Story (Acoustic Guitar/Fiddle)
Steve started playing the violin at 6 years of age. By the time he was 12, he was playing local dances with his father. He grew up playing violin, guitar and steel guitar. He obtained a Masters Degree from Wichita State University where he studied classical violin and jazz improvisation. He now lives in Fort Worth, Texas and performs over 150 dates a year while maintaining a full teaching schedule. He has played with everyone from Willie Nelson to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Steve has also appeared on RFD-TV as the fiddle player for the Johnnie High Country Music Revue.
The Production Company:
Brian Greene, CEO of Greene HD Productions has been producing HDTV programming since 1995, making him a pioneer in the industry. Currently his main business is creating full-length documentaries for HD broadcasters, such as INHD, HDNet, Discovery HD Theater, Wealth TV, Voom, and PBS. Greene also has numerous overseas clients that he sells programs to, including NHK (Japan), and the BBC.
Recently he produced and/or edited seven different series for HD broadcasters. This includes “Route 66,” “Crystal Kingdom,” “GO!,” “Royal Links,” "Art Adventures," “The Clubhouse,” and “Golf Escapes.” Since 1997, Greene HD Productions has won over 30 different industry awards including several Telly, Vision, and Communicator awards. In 2001 the documentary “Texas Wild” was nominated for a technical achievement Emmy. Greene’s latest addition to the company is the 45ft luxury production mobile equipped with up to 12 HD cameras switched in a style never before offered in this industry.
We are especially excited to team up with Jai Hutchinson for the audio post on this series. Jai is the winner of a recent Grammy Award for his mixing ability.