CLAY COOPER'S COUNTRY EXPRESS CAST

Colton Cooper was born and raised right here in Branson, Missouri. Colton has performed most of his life with his parents, Clay and Tina Cooper. He aspired to play football in college, but soon found a passion for music and decided to follow the path of his parents. Colton currently performs in three shows at Clay Cooper Theatre including Clay Cooper's Country Express, Hot Rods & High Heels, and Dean Z's Ultimate Elvis Show. He is staying busy and having a blast. In his free time, Colton enjoys taking voice and piano lessons, working out and helping mom with the administrative work at the theatre. 

Caden Cooper is no stranger to the entertainment world. His days are spent with singers, dancers, musicians, and the techs at Clay Cooper Theatre. Caden loves music and spends a lot of his time exploring all styles including rock n roll, hip hop, country, contemporary, and the great standards of yesterday. During his free time, Caden likes to play basketball, and football, and baseball. He enjoys playing video games with his friends and has high hopes of being a YouTuber. He also enjoys hanging out with all the kids at the theatre!

Jonathan Black was born in Jasper, Alabama, and is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He moved to Branson in 1995 to perform with Barbara Fairchild. Jonathan has since performed with Lost in the '50s, Stuck on the '70s, Cowboys Heroes and Friends with Canadian artist Eli Barsi, The Buck Trent Morning Show, The Baldknobbers Jamboree, Grand Gospel Jubilee, Grand Country Jubilee, The '70s Music Celebration starring Barry Williams, and Hot Rods & High Heels. Jonathan also had the opportunity to perform with such artist as Glen Campbell, Ricky Skaggs, Chubby Checker, Bebe Winans, Mark Lowry, Gary McSpadden, Lulu Roman, Tony Orlando, Billy Dean, Leona Williams, and Michael Peterson. In 2017 he joined the band of Clay Cooper’s Country Express playing saxophone and keyboard. He is listed in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame as a musical achiever and was awarded 2016 Branson’s Best Keyboard Player Terry Award and 2011 Critic’s Choice Best Keyboard Player of the Year. In his spare time, Jonathan practices martial arts. He is in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2010 for Outstanding Martial Artist and won 2012 Black Belt of the Year.

Joey’s so excited to be on stage and performing his very first season in Branson shows here at the Clay Cooper theater. He’s been performing in musical theater for the past 6 years but has been performing on stage for much longer. Huge shoutout to his friends and family who has supported him through these years. 

Kristen Miller is definitely known as an incredible dancer here in Branson. Kristen is from Marcellus, Michigan, and began dancing at the early age of three. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Performance from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Kristen spent her summers performing in several theme parks during college, and moved to Branson shortly after graduating. Kristen became a show favorite quickly here in Branson, as she landed jobs with Shoji Tabuchi, The Promise, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Celebrate America, Country Tonite, The Texas Tenors, and Clay Cooper’s Country Express. Kristen also works as a dance instructor at Dance Branson School of the Arts. She enjoys spending her time with her husband, Brian Miller, and her two daughters.

Jordan Dickison was born in Utah into a family who loves the arts and encouraged him vocally and theatrically from a young age. He started performing as an extra in Disney Channel movies at the age of 13 and quickly transitioned to community theater and musicals in high school. He received an Associates of the Arts at Western Wyoming Community College and a Bachelors of Music, Dance and Theater at BYU. While attending BYU, he had the opportunity to be a member of the Young Ambassadors performing group. He was able to serve others and praise God as he toured the US and Scandinavia performing for everyone from royalty to children’s outreach and loved every minute of it! Out of college he performed in a couple of shows at Tuacahn Theatre in St George, UT including Greece and the first regional performance of The Little Mermaid. He moved to Branson in 2013 where he was blessed to have performed at the Showboat Branson Belle. Jordan loves Branson and considers it his home. He loves running with his son Brigham and exploring the beauty of Branson. He would like to thank his amazing wife Sarah for her endless support. He is thrilled and humbled to work with  Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Hot Rods and High Heels, and #1 Hits of the 60’s!

Mark Evans is originally from Sandpoint, Idaho. At only 16 years old, Barbara Mandrell hired him as the bass player for her show, and he performed the Grand Ole Opry with her. Mark later toured with Johnny Paycheck and then decided to take a break from performing. He worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska, Bristol Bay, and Southeast for halibut, salmon, and shrimp. He later came to Branson and performed in several shows in town including 50’s At the Hop, Breakfast with the Classics, Moe Bandy, Barbara Mandrell, Barry Williams 70’s Show, and now Clay Cooper’s Country Express. He has also played with Kathy Mattea, Red Simpson, Nat Stucky, George Jones, Billy Dean, and the Edgar Winter Band. When he isn’t working, he enjoys taking long walks, fishing, and spending time with his beautiful girls, Madison and Shelby.

Kari Garrison was born and raised in Denison, Texas, in a musical family where harmony-filled living room jam sessions with her dad and other family members were a part of her daily life. It was there Kari developed her love and passion for singing. After high school, Kari moved to Virginia and over the next 5 years she shared the stage, as well as the recording studio, with many of the industry’s most promising bluegrass artists. Then in 2001, following a dare from her younger sister, Kari moved to Branson. After performing in several shows in town, Kari took a job at “The Paul Harris Show,” which changed her life forever, as it was the first time she met Clay and Tina Cooper. While working for Paul, Clay and Tina’s son Colton and Kari’s son Drew were born 11 days apart. Since that time, there has been a “family” connection that is still as strong as ever. Kari went on to sing with the legendary entertainer Moe Bandy for eight consecutive years. After years of working down the “76 Strip” from each other, Clay and Tina brought Kari into the Country Express family and love working together!

David Griffin is originally from Denison, Texas. He has been performing in Branson for 11 years now. He has performed with Little Texas, TG Sheppard, Collin Ray, Marty Haggard, Debbie Boone and Restless Heart. In 2009 he went on Operation Iraqi Children (OIC) to Iraq to perform for the troops and deliver schools supplies to the Iraqi Children. David performed in Country Tonite for 3 years. For the Last 7 years he was on the Showboat Branson Belle. David is so grateful to finally be a part of the Clay Cooper Country Express. He would like to Thank Clay and Tina for this wonderful opportunity to share his gift from God with everyone in the wonderful cast.

Matt Gumm grew up around variety shows at Lake of the Ozarks, by the age of 30, he took to the stage like a seasoned pro. Of course, growing up with Thom “Gabby” Gumm as a dad & mentor didn’t hurt. In fact, he learned so well, Matt was added to the Main Street Opry act at the age of 7. His mom Sandy will say he spent everyday on his bed, with a make-shift curtain that hung from the ceiling, with wigs and props doing his “show”. It was in these very early years that a family friend thought it would be “funny” to buy Matt a toy set of drums. Well, the joke was on him, because Matt started playing those things and he was a natural! While in high school, Matt was the only student chosen out of his class to attend the Missouri Fine Arts Academy. Fresh out of high school, Matt spent five years developing his own reputation as a gifted comedian and musician on the stage of the long-running Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry in Osage Beach, Missouri. Family ties drew him back to work alongside his parents at the Main Street Opry in Osage Beach. He honed  his comedy skills with his dad, and came into his own with his impersonations. He’s brought the house down with his take on such artists as Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart & Sammy Davis, Jr.. Clay Cooper caught his act and knew he wanted to be the first to introduce Matt to Branson. He is the craziest addition to Clay Cooper’s Country Express where you can experience Matt’s high-energy fun, visual humor, and surprising abilities on some unusual instruments. When he’s not performing, he enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, daughter Norah Sue, and son Nash.

R.P. was raised in Lufkin, Texas, where he began playing professionally in 1967. By 1969 he was on the road full time, with regular appearances at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. During the early 70’s he also began a career in the recording industry, which led him to his first love of producing, engineering, and performing on recordings. He married his wife, Debbie Sue, in 1972, and they toured the U.S. and performed together through 1982. Through the '80s he alternated touring and recording careers. Since moving to Branson in 1992, R.P. performed and toured with Rex Allen, Jr. and Roy Clark. In 1994 he joined “Country Tonite” when it opened in Branson. During his ten years with the show, he was the director, musical director, pianist, vocalist, and production manager. He either produced or co-produced several seasons of the show as well. He was voted Branson’s “Piano Player of the Year” for three consecutive years, and inducted into the Branson Entertainer’s Hall of Fame in 1998.

Kaylee Riggins grew up in Mt. Zion, IL, with her parents and little brother. She moved to Branson in 2008 to perform at Silver Dollar City, and since, has been a part of multiple productions around town. Currently, you can see her in #1 Hits of the 60’s, Hot Rods & High Heels, and Clay Cooper’s Country Express, all at the Clay Cooper Theatre. Kaylee is thrilled and blessed to be a part of these productions the Clay Cooper Theatre has to offer. Kaylee also shares her love for the arts as a licensed cosmetologist and microblading artist at a local salon in Branson called Social & Mane. In her spare time, she loves to cuddle up with her four cats and three dogs with a good book.

Born and raised here in Branson, Missouri, Elizabeth Sparks began dancing and performing as a child. At age 14, she joined the cast of the Jim Stafford show in Branson and went on to work at Shepherd of the Hills, The Gatlin Brothers Show, and Silver Dollar City. In high school, Elizabeth developed a passion for color guard. She continued color guard as a member of the Missouri State University Pride Color Guard in Springfield, Mo., traveling all over the United States. During that time she also worked to earn her bachelor’s degree in elementary. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband, Derek, her daughter, Cora, and dog, Lettie, and loves running her own business, Wild Ivy Photography!

Samantha Stephans grew up in the Branson area and began her dance training at the age of five. Over the years she has trained in a wide variety of techniques including tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, modern, and musical theatre. At the age of 10, she began training more specifically in classical ballet and pointe, under the direction of Ashley Paige Romines at the Springfield Ballet in Springfield, MO. During those years she performed in the Nutcracker, annually, as well as other ballet performances such as Peter and The Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella. In her senior year she also had the opportunity to choreograph and perform an original contemporary ballet piece. She attended the Summer Wind Youth Ballet Summer Intensive at the University of Oklahoma, both in 2010 and 2012, as well as the Springfield Ballet’s summer intensive in 2010 and 2013. Samantha has also performed for several years in Silver Dollar City’s Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade. In addition to her love for dance, she also has a degree in public relations and works as a social media coordinator. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler, and their dog, Sadie.

Born during a total solar eclipse — this bass singing Pisces began his performing career wielding a sword and dagger as a stunt performer at a local Renaissance faire.  From there he went on to become a singing/dancing Mountie at Six Flags Great America then sang bass in Branson’s '50’s at the Hop Show'.  Next, he performed in a show called Fabulous 50’s Live and produced his own show - 'Jump, Jive n’ Wail' in the Wisconsin Dells.  Skinner then sailed the seven seas as a guest entertainer onboard Norwegian, Disney and Royal Caribbean’s cruise lines as the creator/beat-bass of a cappella quintet 'The Cat’s Pajamas - vocal band'. From there, the Cat’s PJ’s came to Branson and performed over 1000 shows over five years. Skinner is so excited to be back in Hot Rods and High Heels for his second year!  His hobbies include jet skiing, snowboarding and juggling . .  . at the same time.

Born and raised in Galena, Missouri, Hannah began “fiddlin’ around” at the age of six, studying for over ten years with World Champion fiddler, Ricky Boen. Hannah enjoys playing many musical styles including Bluegrass, Irish, Western Swing, Old- Time, and of course, Country! She grew up watching Clay perform both at the Country Tonite show and the Clay Cooper Theatre (her Grandma Irma worked the box office for both), and is excited to now be a part of his Country Express Band.

She has played with her family band, The Farnum Family, since 2004 and also hosts a Facebook Live program called Fiddlin’ Friday at Five with her brother, Benjamin. An occasional contest fiddler, she has placed in several competitions over the years, her most exciting awards coming in the form of two prize fiddles she brought home from the Walnut Valley Old-Time Fiddle Championships in Winfield, Kansas. When not performing, Hannah enjoys reading, doting on her nieces and nephew, and contra dancing.

Robbie Blackwood comes from a world-renowned musical family, The Blackwood Brothers, and was introduced as the "world's youngest drummer" at the age of 11 months old by none other than Roy Rogers! Robbie was found in churches, theatres, convention halls, state and county fairs throughout US and Canada, performing with his family as part of The Blackwood Singers. He moved to Branson with his family in 1990 to continue their performance careers right here in the Ozarks. Robbie has also played in several other shows in town including Grand Country, Jim Stafford, Billy Dean and The Baldknobbers. He and his beautiful wife, Mary, have six incredible children.  Robbie met Clay when he moved to Branson and they quickly became good friends. Now Rob loves every moment playing drums with his buddy and this incredible cast!

Marie Wood was born and raised in Jefferson City, Missouri. She began her dance training at the young age of three and immediately fell in love with it.  Marie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lindenwood University with a BFA in Dance, emphasis in Ballet. She has attended ballet intensives at Cincinnati Ballet, Jacobs School of Music-Indiana University, Louisville Ballet, Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Nashville Ballet. Marie has been a featured guest performer for the Alton Symphony and Jefferson City Symphony. She performed at the New Tap Choreography Showcase hosted by the American Tap Dance Foundation in New York City in 2019. After Marie completed her undergrad she moved to Branson, MO when she has performed with “Reza: Edge of Illusion” and Silver Dollar City. In addition to her love for dance, Marie holds a Masters in Business Administration and is a program coordinator for a dance company in St. Louis, MO. In her free time, Marie enjoys traveling, playing violin, and spending time with her husband, Nick, and their families. 

Born and raised in O’Fallon Missouri, Jeremiah is no stranger to performing. He started his career as an amateur Magician at age 11, working birthday parties and church functions. In 2006 he made his way to Branson, where he has performed in numerous shows around town, including “The Kirby VanBurch Show” and “Dolly Parton’s Stampede”. In his free time he travels the country performing in rodeos, where he showcases his daring skills of Trick Riding and Roman Riding. In 2019 he took first place in the Super Ride, trick riding competition. He is very thankful to be sharing the stage with such impeccable performers.