Published:May 2nd, 2011 13:37 EST

McKinley & Beggs Take the Stage at Crystal River! An Incredible Evening that Included Earth, Wind, and FIRE!

McKinley & Beggs, the superstar duo that we`ve been highlighting these past few weeks, took the stage at Crystal River Plantation Golf Resort & Spa in Crystal River, Florida this past weekend.  And, trust me, this beautiful location that highlights southern hospitality was the ONLY place people wanted to be "including this writer. 

McKinley & Beggs showed the world with their first album, By The Fire, that they are the new faces in country music that are here to stay.  The sheer power of McKinley & Beggs was accurately described to me by one of their biggest fans.  This amazing woman, in her own right, told me that the allure of McKinley & Beggs lies in the fact that they are pure, "grassroots country.`  And they most certainly are.  The incredible voices that make up McKinley & Beggs exude rich Earth- "y` tones, without all the "rock/pop` shtick that is apparent in the country world right now. 

McKinley & Beggs` music harkens back to those legends who composed songs that no one has forgotten decades later.  Ronny McKinley & Jody Beggs effortlessly provide the down-to-earth, no-holds-barred, real country music.  McKinley & Beggs are following in the footsteps of the immaculate, hugely talented line of "grassroots` country artists who the world still craves, and desperately needs back.  And not only are the "great ones` a roadmap for the career of McKinley & Beggs, but these legendary country musicians also took the stage with McKinley & Beggs last Saturday, and brought their brilliant lyrics to the masses while battling the high winds that only the Lord, himself, could`ve created.  On this fantastic evening, the Higher Power brought the wind down from the heavens in order for the incredible music of McKinley & Beggs to be "picked up` and brought to the people who couldn`t attend one of the most amazing gatherings of country legends and "new faces` who`ve ever stood on stage.

At the picturesque Crystal River Plantation Golf Resort & Spa, the m-m-Mel Tillis & Friends 5th Annual Fishing Tournament, benefiting the SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN took place.  And not only did McKinley & Beggs perform songs from their outstanding By the Fire album, but they also presented brand new masterpieces from their soon-to-be-released sophomore album for all to hear.

To let you know a little about the event, itself, there were sixty to one hundred boats in the fishing tournament, and even though the high winds put somewhat of a damper on some of the offshore activity, a fantastic time was had by all.  With the attendance doubled from the year before, the SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN received an amazing donation from the tournament, with huge help from the auction that would`ve made country music fans drool.  But, more on that a bit later.

The performers ruled the evening.  Speaking with Ronny McKinley of McKinley & Beggs, he told about the night where the world "s biggest country stars took to the stage.  And these performers may have had to fight the wind that almost knocked them over at times but, honestly, I bet the star power who appeared actually did their part by knocking the wind out of the lungs of every country music fan who attended. 

Among the highlights was Kenyon Lockry who performed with his band, The Osceola Boy`s, on Friday night.  Kenyon is another "alum " who signed with Mel Tillis Enterprises in 2006, and has recorded two albums since titled, Country to the Bone " and Then There`s Me. "

Jeff Cook from Alabama was a headliner, as well, and performed with McKinley & Beggs to the excitement of the crowd.  Not only was Jeff a part of the McKinley & Beggs triumph, but the fantastic, legendary Jim Ed Brown who has had so many top ten hits in so many decades that it`s hard to count them all now, appeared to the delight of all and performed his "famous` beer-drinking anthem Pop a Top.

Now, of course, one of the greatest moments of the whole weekend was when the legendary host of the tournament took the microphone.  McKinley & Beggs were right beside the man as he performed some of the most beloved country songs of all time.  Mel Tillis - the man, the myth, the best-of-the-best - took the stage and sung many medleys including his chart-topper, I Ain`t Never.  This amazing song was also a hit by Webb Pierce but, let`s face it, Mr. Tillis`s version (in this writer`s eyes) is still the most beloved and best-known. To the joy of the crowd, Mel Tillis went on to sing other favorites including the unforgettable Sawmill and Send Me Down to Tucson.

McKinley & Beggs were standing right beside the man who discovered them, accompanying the greats, singing with the greats, and performing their own incredible songs that will soon race up the charts like wildfire. 

As if anyone actually needed more, event participants were also treated to a cocktail party, a fishing tournament, a four-man scramble golf tournament, a celebrity auction and a closing awards ceremony.  

Mel Tillis, who was raised to a 33 degree Mason at the House of the Temple in Washington, DC, and honored with the Grand Cross in 1999, has hosted this tournament year-in/year-out to raise money for the incredible work that SHRINER`S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN provides. 

Hearing about the auction items from Ronny McKinley, I was absolutely blown away.  I was also beyond jealous that I live way too far away from Florida to have been a part of it all.  A huge chunk of the donation for SHRINERS was brought in by the auction, with items coming in from a realm of superstars.  One of the biggest hits of the night was a signed picture by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. & Dale Earnhardt, Sr.  An amazing donation came from Kenny Chesney`s signed merchandise that was brought to the event by his producer, Buddy Cannon.  With the great Merle Haggard being represented by a boxed set of his amazing songs, as well as a poster signed by Merle and Kris Kristofferson who are currently on tour - the auction housed more collectibles than a "Sotheby`s` sale.  

And anyone unfamiliar with the fact that Mel Tillis is not only a songwriter, performer, singer, legend, producer, etc. - he`s also an artist, and added to the auction work that came from his truly amazing mind.  Charlie Daniels sent a signed fiddle (I would kill for that item); Toby Keith contributed a signed guitar; and, the list goes on and on and on.

After hearing about this astonishing event, I have come to the conclusion that those high, battering winds were simply the angels coming down to spread the word.  To become the messengers that have finally announced to one and all that McKinley & Beggs have arrived - and, thankfully, are here to stay!

For more information go to:

http://alltiedupproductions.com/mckinley-and-beggs/