Founding Brother of The Baldknobbers Dies
(Branson, Feb 27, 2010) One of the original founding members of Branson’s first show The Baldknobbers Jamboree has died. Legendary country comedian Lyle Mabe died on February 27, 2010 after a long illness.
The reaction across the Branson community and fan base has been quick and heartfelt, owing to Mabe’s legacy as one of the four brothers “who started it all” by opening the Baldknobbers Jamboree in 1959, the first live entertainment show in Branson. Mabe has been called one of the great country comedians and storytellers of all time.
In 1959 Lyle and his brothers Bob, Bill and Jim, along with Delbert Howard and Chick Allen decided to put together some evening entertainment for families and fisherman vacationing in the Branson area. The began by renting a room in the old city hall building. The show was a blend of country music and original comedy routines, playing up on the hillbilly persona connected with the Ozarks. The show grew to be known for fast-paced variety, excellent musicianship, beautiful harmonies, hillbilly comedy, and Southern Gospel segments, with a patriotic tribute as a climax. Audiences responded immediately, setting off the beginnings of what today is referred to as the Branson “phenomenon.” The Baldknobbers entertainment formula still forms the basis for the more than 100 live shows appearing in Branson to this day.
Mabe performed in the show until his retirement in 1991. In 2009 The Baldknobbers Jamboree celebrated an unprecedented 50 years of continuous performing seasons. Although none of the original Baldknobbers appear in the present production, today’s cast includes several members of the Mabe family, which is in itself a tribute to the legacy of the Mabe brothers.
Our Statement:
Lyle and his brothers brought laughter, joy and even inspiration to millions. Their good natured fun, masterful entertainment and their celebration of family, faith and flag laid the foundation for Branson entertainment and for the Branson experience we all enjoy today. While saddened by Lyle’s passing, we are grateful that his legacy lives on in the current generation of the Mabe family performing at the Baldknobbers Theater, and that in Christ, “the circle will be unbroken.”
This article, which chronicles the beginnings of The Baldknobbers, appeared in our publication during their 50th Anniversary in 2009.
Sons of a Baptist
pastor, Bill, Jim, Lyle and Bob Mabe were born and raised right here in the
Ozarks in a family with thirteen kids. The Mabes were a musical family—so from
an early age the Mabe boys were already learning to make up harmonies to sing in
church. That upbringing gave them a love of Gospel music—inspiring them later
to form up The Mabe Brothers Quartet. For years the quartet traveled and
sang in churches throughout the Ozarks.
While church gave them a love of Gospel music, listening to The Grand Ol’
Opry on the family radio gave them a love for Country. As for where they got
what was to become their famous sense of humor—that probably came from growing
up in a family with thirteen kids!
Making music always
remained their passion, but when the Mabe boys married and started families of
their own—the music had to play second fiddle to jobs that could put food on the
table. In 1959, however, the brothers struck upon an idea.
They had noticed
something about Branson. Fisherman and families vacationing on the lake didn’t
have anything to do in the evenings. The brothers began talking about it. Why
not put together a show for them? Get up some signs. Print handbills. Sell
tickets. Dress up and let ‘em see what a real live hillbilly looks like in
person! The kids would love it! Make it a country music show, tell jokes, sing
some gospel! Make it fun—something the whole family could enjoy together!
That was the big
idea. So the boys played up the hillbilly thing to the hilt, barefoot,
overalls, washtub bass, a washboard for rhythm, the jawbone of a mule for
percussion and a dobro and banjo for melody. The result was The Baldknobbers
Jamboree, (named after local vigilantes from back in the 1880s). The show was
one fast moving country whirlwind of pickin’ mean and clean, a whole lot of
hillbilly foolishness and a trip to church for some beautiful Southern Gospel.
It all came natural
as fishin’ and flowed fast and smooth as an Ozarks mountain stream. The music
came from these Ozarks hills, from years in church, and from The Grand Ol’
Opry on the family radio. The comedy came from the brotherly horseplay and
good-natured ribbing the people do in these parts to make hard work and hard
times playful and tolerable—and to make family times filled with the beautiful
music of shared laughter. It all came from out of their lives and it came out
on stage as Branson’s first show.
But what came natural to the Mabe brothers growing up in the Ozarks became a breath of fresh air and a spiritual lift for folks coming in from afar. Besides plenty good pickin’, pure mountain singing and a steady barrage of laughs all presented at full gallop, The Baldknobbers Jamboree quite innocently released forces capable of breathing life into many areas of the human heart. Something real, something authentic and something true was emanating from this show. People connected to it and the crowds grew.
Theater manager Hollye Gurley spoke often with Bill and Jim about those early days. “From the very beginning they always knew their faith would play a major part in the show. They were very thankful for the blessings Our Lord and Savior bestowed upon them. I had many long conversations with them on that very subject.”
Both Bill and Jim have passed away since those conversations with Hollye—and brothers Bob and Lyle have long been retired. Even though none of the original Baldknobbers remain on stage today , it’s a testament to The Mabe Brothers’ legacy that after fifty years long years, audiences are still packing into Baldknobbers performances six nights a week, nearly nine months a year.
Branson’s first show is a true phenomenon. But we don’t believe the phenomenon started with that first performance of The Baldknobbers Jamboree down on the lakefront.
We believe it all began in church.