Edgar Struble
Producer of the acclaimed film, God Bless the Broken Road and music director for network TV specials, The Academy of Country Music Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, and The American Music Awards, Edgar Struble is respected in the entertainment industry for his discerning leadership, talent, and the passion for creativity he brings to every project. Pulling from his experience in music and film production, Edgar’s contributions to God Bless the Broken Road helped propel it to a 1,235-screen opening in fall of 2018. Prior film projects include family-friendly films Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Treasure, Pirate’s Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson, and Crowning Jules. “Working on these films has been a satisfying and exciting experience,” he says. “Producing gives me the opportunity to bring both artistic vision and solid business management skills to a project.” Edgar’s career was launched in Nashville in the mid-1970s when he began a 15-year engagement as music director for Kenny Rogers. His work with Kenny included the musical supervision of NBC’s highest-rated variety special, Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong. The mid-90s found him in front of the camera as music director for Dick Clark’s Prime Time Country, a daily variety show airing on The Nashville Network. Now based in Los Angeles, he has worked as music director and composer for many television series and specials including Your Big Break, Greed, and the Miss America Pageant, as well as documentaries for TLC, A&E, and The History Channel. Edgar’s 2010 book, Working in the Music Industry, draws upon his extensive experience as a performer, music director, and producer in presenting a practical guide to transforming an interest in music into a viable career. He has been a featured speaker at numerous entertainment summits, sharing his wisdom with those seeking careers in the business. He has released three CDs feat
Woody Wright
What is the most important accomplishment in the career of Woody Wright? Is it the Gospel group he formed in High School that recorded three projects and traveled the Southern states? Was it breaking into the Gospel Quartet scene as a member of former Oak Ridge Boy Willie Wynn's Tennesseans? Was it being one third of the popular trio Ponder, Sykes & Wright? Could it have been his studio work in Nashville as a label executive, producer and studio singer for over 25 years? Perhaps it was his signing with Columbia Records and touring with Reba McEntire, or being the background vocal group leader on the Nashville Network's Prime Time Country television program. Was it his featured performances on the popular Gaither Homecoming Videoseries? Is it his songwriting that provides material for dozens of award winning Gospel and Country music artists?Or, is it the encouragement and hope that he aspires to share with anyone he meets?A Woody Wright concert event is more than just a guy with a guitar and a briefcase full of songs. His flow of humor, story and finely tuned musical messages leave the audience with a fresh take on the everyday life, a sense of forgiveness to overcome the past, and a bright look toward tomorrow. When his wife, Vonnie joins Woody on the platform, their bond and commitment combine to become a beacon for "spares and pairs" in the audience. The program is appealing to all ages, blending traditional Gospel, Country and Americana music with his original material and various inspirational songs. Drawing on his vast music business experience, he communicates a simple, yet thought-provoking message that is current and uplifting. Woody says, "Having performed everywhere from the Fellowship Hall at the local church to Carnegie Hall in New York City, the method, music and message remain the same. I hope to encourage and uplift everyone who listens. "From his small East Tennessee hometown to the far side of his wildest dreams come true, Woody Wright’s most important accomplishment is surely his ability to use musical experience and gifting to entertain and encourage everyone!
Regina Leigh
Regina Leigh, a Marshville, North Carolina native, was three when a routine drive with her mother provided an indication of the future. “I was standing up in the seat of the car and Delta Dawn came on the radio. I just started singing to the top of my lungs! Mama couldn’t believe I knew that song and that I had been listening to songs that intently. Of course, I’m sure I didn’t have all the words right!” Regina sang in church and was singing in a country band at the age of 13. “My first gig was at the Mineral Springs Music Barn,” she recalls with a smile. “I made $17 that night!” The band began playing at area festivals. That same year she made her first record, “Has The World Gone Crazy”, for Lamon Records, a label owned by a regional country act, the Moody Brothers. Beginning at age 14, she had a dance studio where she taught clogging lessons for the next 11 years. At 15 she was singing in nightclubs and traveled to Nashville to be backed by Kenny Rogers’ band on “I Never Liked Waltzes Till Now”, a single released on the independent Roundhouse Records, which charted nationally. While still living in North Carolina, Regina won a developmental deal with a major Nashville label, but nothing was released. However industry veteran Bobby Roberts was impressed enough with Leigh’s work to recommend her for a job singing with the nationally known country trio Dave & Sugar. After five years in the trio she left to spend almost three years as one of Reba McEntire’s background vocalists. In 1996, while working as a staff background singer on TNN’s Prime Time Country, Leigh landed a record deal with singing partner Regina Nicks on Giant Records. Their first single charted and received lots of airplay on CMT. They toured the United States opening for artists like Kenny Chesney and The Statler Brothers until September 1998 when Regina Nicks gave birth to a daughter. Leigh then spent the next two years singing backup for the legendary performer Engelbert Humperdinck. In the year 2000 Regina and her husband, Tony King, received a wonderful gift from God: a baby girl named Savana! After much consideration Regina decided to come off the road to be with Savana. Music was still in her soul though.She decided a few years later to record a gospel CD. She, Tony, and Savana all sang on this project along with dear friends, Stephen Hill, Liana Manis Greer, and Kevin Miller. Making this CD was a dream come true for Regina. “This was something I’ve always wanted to do. Gospel music is where I started, and I love that kind of music”. Currently Regina sings at her church as well as in a few shows around the Nashville area. “Singing has always been a huge part of my life! God blessed me with a talent, and I hope in some small way I can touch others with the wonderful blessings and opportunities He’s allowed me!”
Kerry Marx
Kerry Alan Marx is an American guitarist and studio musician, best known for his work with the Grand Ole Opry where he has been staff guitarist since 2000 and music director since 2018. He has played with many notable musicians including Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, John Legend, James Taylor, and Steven Tyler. He was guitarist for the CD "Songs From The Neighborhood," which received a Grammy award, the album Many Moods of Moses which received a Grammy nomination, and for the 2 time multi-platinum self-titled album by musical group Blackhawk.
He moved to Nashville in 1981 and has played a variety of jazz, pop, rock, and country music in the Nashville recording scene, in addition to touring with artists such as Olivia Newton-John (2012–2018), Johnny Mathis (2016-2017), Lynda Carter (2008–2019), Don McLean (2001–2018), Steve Wariner (2006–2007), Porter Wagoner (2006), Lee Ann Womack (2004), Johnny Cash (1989–1992), Toby Keith and Shania Twain (1993), Ronnie Milsap (1984–1987), Razzy Bailey (1983–1984), Jerry Reed (1981–1983), and Ray Price (1979–1981).
Marx has performed and composed for major networks, most notably for the Lionel Richie Special, Hannah Montana, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, CMA Christmas, CMA Awards, 1992 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the 1985 Grammy Awards.
Tommy White
Tommy White is the son of a steel guitarist and was considered a prodigy by age 10. Expanding on the soul, taste, and tone of the masters before him, he pioneered unique chord structures and developed his blazing single-note solo style. Currently staff steel guitarist with the Grand Ole Opry band, Tommy has been featured often on national television and has recorded and toured with many major artists, often crossing into different musical genres, showcasing his ability to make the steel guitar work in any situation.
Mark Beckett
Session drummer Mark Beckett grew up in Florence, Alabama, the son of legendary keyboardist Barry Beckett.
From 2011 to 2018, he toured extensively with Grammy winner Olivia Newton John, appearing at Royal Albert Hall in London, Flamingo Las Vegas, and the Sydney Opera House, and throughout Australia/SE Asia, the U.S., and the U.K.
Beckett’s performances include the Dolly Parton 50th Anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry television special, the CMA Music Festival, and the Inspirational Country Music Awards program, Musicians Hall of Fame Induction programs, and the AMC Honors program. He has performed and recorded with artists from Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alabama, and Peter Frampton to George Jones, Crystal Gayle, Randy Travis, and Roy Clark.
Beckett has been staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry since 2009.
Matt McKenzie
After moving to Nashville as a member of Lyle Lovett’s original Large Band, Matt has performed and recorded with a wide variety of artists, including Don Williams, Olivia Newton-John, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner, Lee Ann Womack, Ricky Skaggs, and Nanci Griffith. He is also a regular with the Grand Ole Opry staff band.
Tony King
Tony King hails from North Carolina, where he grew up under the spell of a wide range of musical influences from Eric Clapton to Doc Watson and Tony Rice. He graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal pedagogy. During and after college, he played with various bluegrass groups before landing with the prestigious newgrass ensemble J.D. Crowe and the New South, where he was lead singer, guitarist, and stage emcee for three years. He moved to Nashville to tour with Holly Dunn for two years and then with Vince Gill for two years as acoustic/electric guitarist and background singer. In 1992, Tony joined with two vocalists to form the impressive trio Matthews, Wright, and King. The group recorded two albums for Columbia Records, releasing five singles and touring as an opening act for Reba, Brooks and Dunn, and others. Since then, he has performed and toured, both as guitarist and singer, with top artists Vern Gosdin, Chely Wright, Faith Hill, Darryl Singletary, Ricky Skaggs, and a host of others. He was a staff backup singer for two years for the popular TNN show Prime Time Country and toured 15 years with award-winning country duo Brooks and Dunn. Tony has lent his vocal abilities to albums for Holly Dunn, The Bellamy Brothers, William Lee Golden, Vince Gill, The Judds, Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin, Ricky Van Shelton, Brooks and Dunn, and many others. Also a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by Barbara Fairchild, Rhonda Vincent, Brooks and Dunn, and Ricky Van Shelton, who took Tony’s song “I’ve Cried My Last Tear For You” to number one on all three charts
Jonathan Lawson
Having spent 17 years in Nashville, TN, as an artist, musician, and songwriter, Jonathan Lawson has had the fortune of bringing music to hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. His professional music career began at 20-years-old when he began touring with country diva Lorrie Morgan as a member of her road band. Sharing the stage with her and her incredibly talented veteran musicians prepared Jonathan for his next position playing fiddle, acoustic guitar, and mandolin for country superstar Sara Evans-fresh off her ACM win for female vocalist of the year. His tenure with Sara included national television performances (Good Morning America, The View, CMT), collaborations with superstars like Maroon 5, and stadium tours such as CMAfest (65,000 people) and Kenny Chesney. Sara Evans kick-started the career of Jonathan’s own band, The Railers, offering them their first support slot on a national tour-which ultimately led to a recording contract with Warner Brothers Nashville and two top-50 singles on hit country radio. The Railers were featured as support acts on national tours with Hunter Hayes, Brett Eldredge, Corey Smith, as well as performances with Dwight Yoakam, Eli Young Band, and Josh Abbott Band. The Railers also enjoyed having several featured appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Ready for a new creative challenge, Jonathan and his wife Cassandra (also of The Railers) have begun a new duo called Ivy & the Wall, blending immersive cinematography with a musical tapestry to create a new kind of multimedia event