Johnny Lee and John Schneider will team up for fall performances

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Music legend Johnny Lee will join forces with recording artist and actor John Schneider for a string of shows beginning this September.

John Schneider, left, and Johnny Lee

Photo by K.D. Michaels

Johnny Lee is no stranger to Branson. Having performed for the past few years with his friend and fellow music great, Mickey Gilley, Johnny is known for such hits as “Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Cherokee Fiddle” and “Lookin’ For Love.”

Probably best known for his portrayal of Bo Duke in television’s “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Schneider is not only an actor but also a gifted vocalist. His time as an MCA recording artist in the 1980s garnered him a string of hits.

Schneider last performed in Branson in the early 1990s, as a guest of country great Roy Clark. Since that time, Schneider has kept very busy.

“I did a show called “Smallville” for a decade, and did a show called the “Haves and Have Nots” for nine years,” said Schneider. “But the greatest thing is my bride and I record an album a year, and we put the music from that album into the movies we make. So we make an album and a movie and a sound track every year. My wife kind of made me stop exploring my dark side in movies and get back into cars. So, we made “Christmas Cars.” Johnny Lee was the balladeer, kind of the Waylon Jennings in “Christmas Cars.” Then we made “Stand On It,” which was a tribute to “Smokey and the Bandit,” and Johnny’s in that. Then we made “Poker Run,” which is a sequel to “Stand On It.” We’ve been very busy, and we’ve toured a lot. During the pandemic, when places were closing, we wound up going and playing drive-in movie theaters. So, we added another element. We did the music for the movies, we did the movie, and then we showed the movie and did a concert at drive-in movie theaters. So, it was great. And that led to dirt tracks. “Poker Run” has a lot to do with dirt tracks. We’re actually on a dirt track in part of “Poker Run.” So that led to playing dirt tracks with the band and showing the movie. I love doing that.”

While they have been longtime friends, John and Johnny reconnected a few years back in Louisiana and rekindled their friendship.

Johnny has been in two of Schneider’s recent movies, “Four to Go,” and “Stand On It,” so teaming up to do this show is a natural next step.

“I am honored and delighted,” said Schneider. “Certainly no one can fill the shoes of Mickey Gilley, especially in the Mickey Gilley Theater. I first met Mickey on the set of “Dukes of Hazzard.” He got caught in a celebrity speed trap, and we remained friends over the years. Johnny had him at the studio and Mickey was in the movie “Four to Go,” as well. He played Johnny’s prison bus driver. I was actually here in Branson a couple of months ago because my race car is actually with Scott Velvet at the car museum. So, I was here in Branson, just overnight, delivering the race car. So, I’m looking forward to performing in Branson again.”

Since Johnny Lee and Mickey Gilley wrapped up their 2021 season last fall, Johnny has been busy on the road.

Said Lee, “I was in Biloxi, Mississippi last weekend, and I have a show coming up this week with Crystal Gayle. I’ve been in Texas a lot, just all over.”

Lee also spoke of starting a new season in Branson without his friend and musical comrade Mickey Gilley.

“I loved Mickey. Loved him like a brother. I just can’t believe he’s gone,” said Johnny Lee. “I had a lot of love for Mickey Gilley.”

When asked what the audience should expect from this new show, Johnny Lee responded, “It will be a good time. I’ll be doing the hits, and I have a new album out. I wrote most of the songs on it. It’s called “Everything’s Gonna be Alright.”

I’m going to do a tribute to Mickey Gilley, too, but I haven’t got it completely worked out yet.”

John Schneider added, “Good time, great music. I’ll do some of the old ones from my first musical career, the MCA days, and then some from the new movies, so it’s gonna be great. My band kind of skews Southern Rock, so we may be a little louder than people are used to. My band is called the Stars and Bars.”

In addition to the fall shows with Johnny Lee, Schneider has a new movie to be released this fall.

“It’s about a man who is a veteran, who orchestrates a way that he can die for his flag, die for his country,” Schneider explained. It’s called ‘To Die For.’ That’s what my short hair is all about. It comes out October 20, so be on the lookout for that.”

Johnny Lee and John Schneider kick off the new show at the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre on September 4, with shows most Sundays through December 4. For more information and a complete schedule, visit the website, www. grandshanghaitheatre.com or call the box office at 417-336-0888.