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The Kody Norris Show to perform at Winter Texan Expo

The Kody Norris Show Performing January 15 at 11:00 a.m.

Always maintaining a sharp professional appearance, complete with colorful rhinestone suits and cowboy hats, The Kody Norris Show gives a bluegrass fan one of the most solid, entertaining, and animated performances he or she will ever experience. The performances of The Kody Norris Show are reminiscent of traditional bluegrass artists, yet Kody brings his own special, distinct flair to the music. The band works regularly on the Cumberland Highlanders Show and The Bluegrass Trail, both weekly bluegrass programs on the nationally acclaimed RFD-TV network. From the first note, The Kody Norris Show will fully captivate your attention and make you laugh, cry, and stomp your feet, all in one performance!

Visit the band’s website at thekodynorrisshow.com and find them on Facebook.

The Winter Texan Expo is a fun-filled, two day event held each year in January. This year’s event will be held on January 15-16, 2019 at the McAllen Convention Center. Admission is free, and so is the parking! For more information visit www.wintertexanexpo.com.

Winter Texan Expo: Rusty Rierson

Rusty Rierson Performing January 16 at 1:45 p.m.

Rusty Rierson is a native of South-Central, Kansas. Growing up on the family farm he fell in love with agriculture earning a bachelor’s in agricultural economics and a master’s in animal science. Rusty got into music when he was 14 years old. He started singing in church and soon it became a passion. He learned guitar when his father, Roger, suggested they take lessons together.

Rusty has played all over the U.S., including Alaska. He has toured abroad in Canada, Mexico, Central America, Scotland, and London. He often travels with the Better Horses Radio Show and has played rodeos, barrel races, and horse events all over the Midwest. Rusty has opened for, and shared the stage and worked with, artists such as Sawyer Brown, John Berry, Doug Stone, Michael Martin Murphy, Dustin Lynch, T. G. Sheppard, Moe Bandy, David Frizzell, R.W. Hampton, Johnny Lee, Bill Gentry, Leroy Van Dyke, Helen Cornelius, Billy Dean, Johnny Western, Love and Theft, Collin Raye, Suzy Bogguss, Radney Foster, Logan Mize, Jimmy Fortune, Craig Campbell, John Anderson, Walker Montgomery, Ronnie McDowell, Cassadee Pope, Joe Diffie, Maddie & Tae, Don Williams, and many others. He always plays tribute to George Strait, Don Williams, and some of his other heroes, as well as delighting crowds with his own music.

Rusty said he hopes people will see his music as “a breath of fresh air.” He has produced eight albums and one DVD. There are now more than 100,000 copies of his albums in print.

If you are interested in having Rusty perform at one of your shows, please call his manager, L. Rice at 956-564- 1923 or send an email to txrices@hotmail.com. Be sure to visit his Facebook page!

Rick McEwen to perform at Winter Texan Expo

Rick McEwen Performing January 15 at 1:45 p.m.

A 35-year veteran of Branson Entertainment, Rick McEwen has performed with some of the biggest entertainers in show business. He has a passion for performing classic rock, classic country, rhythm and blues, and soul music. Rick is a member of the Traditional Country Hall of Fame and has been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year in Branson, Missouri.

Rick spent eight years honing his skills in Nashville before moving to the live-music capitol of the world, Branson, in 1984. He performed with such greats as Earl Scruggs, Webb Pierce, The Dillards (They were the Darling family on the Andy Griffith Show). Randy opened many shows for Waylon, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dottie West, and other country-music legends.

After moving to Branson, Rick was the featured singer with the great Jim Stafford for 14 years. He has produced eight musical shows, 10 albums, and music for a Walt-Disney production. Rick is currently the executive producer of the Branson Terry Music Awards and a full-time performer.

Rick said, “Music has been my life and my joy.” Learn more about Rick on his Facebook page.

Winter Texan Expo: Ralph Kuster Jan 16

Ralph Kuster Performing January 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Ralph Kuster’s lifelong passion for music became a reality with the production of his first three CDs from 2003 to 2005. In 2006, he was thrilled and honored to perform I May Never Get to Heaven by Conway Twitty and Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers before over 2200 people at the annual COSAP Variety Show at the renowned Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada.

In 2008, Ralph opened his one-man variety show in Branson, Missouri, and continued shows there at the God and Country Theater through December of 2013. In 2012, he began to perform in the Rio Grande Valley. With over 600 songs now in his repertoire, Ralph produces, directs, and performs a series of shows. Ralph now includes a visual presentation for every song in every show to add to the enjoyment of his performances.

Ralph loves to interact with his audiences, and his musical diversity has resulted in various return engagements in the Rio Grande Valley. He can tailor a show to meet specific musical and time-restricted preferences. Ralph enjoys performing gospel music and has been a guest soloist at various churches and gospel functions.

See Ralph’s Rio Grande Valley Schedule or hear him perform a few songs on this site, ralphkuster.net.

To arrange a performance at your facility, feel free to contact Ralph Kuster Entertainment at ralphkuster@sympatico.ca or by phone at 417-230-8198 or 613-922-1941.

Winter Texan Expo: Patsy Cline Tribute with Rainy

Rainy Mandziuk Performing January 15 at 12:15 p.m.

Rainy returns to the RGV with her special tribute to the Legendary Patsy Cline. With a voice that is distinctly “Patsy,” she presents a convincing performance as she celebrates the songs and spirit of this country-music legend.

During her high-energy show, Rainy slips in a few memorable hits from 60’s pop artists Connie Francis, Karen Carpenter, and Anne Murray. Mix this with a little trivia and some hilarious (not-so-true) stories, and you’re in for an entertaining and fun-filled evening.

When not in the Rio Grande Valley, Rainy is part of a group of tribute artists who travel and perform in casinos and at corporate events and and festivals in both Canada and the Upper Midwest.

Rainy and hubby, Hank, welcome you to come out and join them as they take you on a musical journey down memory lane. For all Patsy Cline fans, this is a must-see show!

Contact Rainy at 956-702-6819 or by email at Lorraine.legends@tbaytel.net.

Pickpocket Gene to perform at Winter Texan Expo

Gene Turner

Performing January 15 at 9:30 a.m.

Gene Turner began his career as a pickpocket entertainer almost by accident. As an insurance salesman, Gene would perform magic tricks for his clients. But soon, they wanted him to perform at parties more than they wanted to talk insurance. By 1985, Gene found he was successful enough with his comedy, magic, and pickpocket demonstrations to leave the world of actuarial tables behind and dedicate himself to his real love–performing.

Since that time, the demand for Gene’s talents as a corporate magician, pickpocket infotainer (someone who uses entertainment to inform or educate), and speaker has grown to over 150 events each year and includes performances and speaking engagements for many Fortune 500 companies. He wows audiences at seminars, conferences, stockholder meetings, trade shows, awards banquets, and celebrity receptions. He is an incredible keynote speaker and master of ceremonies, using his skills to motivate, inform and entertain.

Gene is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and makes numerous presentations weekly on the subjects of identity theft risk reduction, travel safety and security, and pickpocket prevention. He speaks to small and large audiences alike and recently presented to a crowd of over 1,500 people. Using his skills as a pickpocket infotainer, Gene has addressed law enforcement personnel and has presented numerous fraud and identity-theft-prevention seminars for the banking and education communities and the military. He travels coast to coast yearly, displaying his own special brand of magic and humor. Gene’s incredible sleight-of-hand skills, combined with his memorable presentation style, make his keynotes and seminars on identity theft protection a one-of-a-kind experience. His ability to create “Magic with a Message” has enabled him to perform for groups of all sizes and backgrounds, delivering topics in a memorable, fun way. Throughout his professional career, Gene has appeared on countless television and radio programs to demonstrate his magic skills and humor while conveying his message. Additionally, he served as a coach for the pickpocket scenes in the movie Bulletproof Monk and performed at a birthday party for the world-famous actress/singer/performer Bette Midler.

Visit Gene’s website at pickpocket.com or his Facebook page, Pickpocket Gene.

Jason Whorlow Performing at Winter Texan Expo

January 16 at 12:15 p.m.

Jason Whorlow is in his fifth year of entertaining Winter Texans. He has been nominated–and won–several awards during this time and is now in high demand for his extremely versatile, unique, and interactive show. Jason has had crowds of over 400 singing along to Sweet Caroline, with their hands raised high in the air. At his shows, you will find couples dancing emotionally to Can’t Help Falling in Love and Unchained Melody. Winter Texans have enjoyed his energetic performances with music by Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joel, Elton John, and others. Jason also enjoys playing to laid-back Island crowds with songs by Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Otis Redding, Jimmy Buffet, and so many more. He prides himself on his ability to effortlessly enjoy each and every performance with gratitude because he is living out his dream as an entertainer.

Jason often features his young daughters, with songs from The Greatest Showman, Alison Krauss, Linda Ronstadt, and others. He will be performing at over 50 venues this 2018-2019 season. You can experience this one-of-a-kind show by emailing Jason at jasonwhorlow@gmail.com. Visit Jason’s website at whorlowentertainment.com and explore more videos and pictures on his social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WeddingWire.

You’re Invited to Our Winter Texan Expo Fiesta!

It will be a party to remember!

Last year, approximately 8,000 seniors attended the Welcome Home RGV Winter Texan Expo at the McAllen Convention Center. This year we’re expecting the party to be even bigger!

Mark your calendars now for January 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Winter Texan Expo will be held at the McAllen Convention Center again this year and is being presented by South Texas Health System. Although it is called Winter Texan Expo, all seniors in the Rio Grande Valley are invited to our party!

Visit the Winter Texan Expo website at wintertexanexpo.com to see the long list of exhibitors who will be there to inform you about outings in the Rio Grande Valley, healthcare, products and services, nonprofit organizations, sporting events, entertainment venues, and much, much more!

Be sure to wear your dancing shoes to our party because the entertainment is going to get you in the boogieing mood. January 15 on the main stage, we have Pickpocket Gene, The Kody Norris Show, the Patsy Cline tribute with Rainy, and last but not least, Rick McEwen. Come back for more on January 16 for performances by Ralph Kuster, KAI, Jason Whorlow and Rusty Rierson.

Did we mention that admission is free? And that’s not the only thing that’s free at the Winter Texan Expo! Health screenings are free, party favors (aka door prizes) are free, and the knock-your-socks-off entertainment is free. We all love free!

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the sponsors for our anniversary party. Thank you to our presenting sponsor South Texas Health System and our gold sponsors AIM Media, Burns Motors, City of McAllen, Gulf Coast Eye Institute, HEB, Mustre Dental Clinic, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, Shah Eye Center, Texas Regional Bank, The Mackie Clinic, Universal Vests and Harlingen Convention & Visitors Bureau.

We are so excited to be celebrating you! See you at the biggest party of the season in the Rio Grande Valley, the 26^th Annual Winter Texan Expo!

“Winter Texan Wednesday: It’s a Hard Luck Life!”

Winter Texans and retirees are invited to participate in “Winter Texan Wednesday: It’s a Hard Luck Life!” featuring Neil Cassady, a Texas Master Naturalist and museum volunteer, December 19 at 3 p.m. at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. “Winter Texan Wednesday” is a half-hour multimedia presentation followed by a half-hour mini-tour of part of a museum exhibit.

Imagine living in South Texas before air conditioning, internet access and other modern conveniences to protect you from the region’s riparian forest landscape. How could anyone survive the scorching sun rays in South Texas, or the landscape filled with very few trees but lots of brush? Cassady will discuss how the Coahuiltecans and early Spanish settlers survived in the Rio Grande Valley with the help of native plants and trees. The presentation will be followed by a mini-tour of MOSTHistory’s River Frontier exhibit.

Winter Texan Wednesday is included in the regular museum admission fee: Adults (18+) $7; Seniors (62+) $5. Museum admission also includes access to the signature Rio Grande Legacy exhibition. For more information, please contact the museum at 956-383-6911.

About Museum of South Texas History

The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call +1-956-383-6911.