Rader family returns with country music
The Raders are back. The familiar musical family of Ocean Opry fame is reuniting on stage at the first Grand Lagoon National.
The fishing tournament began Wednesday, Aug. 20, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 24, at Grand Lagoon off Thomas Drive. The five-day competition also includes boat walks, fireworks, food, music and shopping. All of the concerts are at Captain Anderson's marina.
"Sunday is considered family day," said Wayne Rader, family patriarch. "That's why they wanted the Rader family to perform."
The Raders owned and operated The Ocean Opry Music Show for 27 years on Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach before closing its doors in August 2005. The theater featured the family playing country and gospel, as well as doing comedy acts.
Throughout the years, they also hosted numerous national country stars. It has been more than a year since the musical family has gotten together for a show. The Raders will begin their two-hour Old Ocean Opry concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
"You could call us a reunion type show," Wayne Rader said. "There could be up to 15 of us. Up until retiring, it was pretty much just the Rader family, and since then they've done their own things."
Wayne and Patsy Rader's son, Dennis "Moonshine" Rader now appears on the Lady Anderson, and their son, Billy Rader, performs with his family as well.
"On Sunday, Dennis and Billy will be doing old favorites and newer songs," Wayne Rader said. Fans can expect "Orange Blossom Special" and "Steel Guitar Rag."
Tonight's entertainment
But tonight, the spotlight will be on Shawn Rader, Billy's son. He will perform from 7:30-8:30 p.m. tonight, Aug. 21, on the main stage in Captain Anderson's parking lot.
Shawn Rader's first CD is "Heartfelt County," featuring covers of some of his favorite tunes, from traditional to current top 40 country.
"Everyone likes the ‘Watermelon Crawl,'" said Wayne Rader. "He likes to move on that one."
Tonight's concert also will feature Shawn Rader doing some George Strait, his greatest musical influence.
"No. 1 is George Strait, just because he's the man," he said. Besides covers, Shawn Rader will perform some original songs written by his cousin Brent Rader, who plays bass for country star Jo Dee Messina. Another cousin, Danny Rader, plays guitar for "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson.
"I am pure redneck," Shawn Rader admits. His wife, Jennifer, will be singing back-up vocals for the show.
Sports, music
Of the nine grandchildren, Shawn Rader has been the most athletically inclined.
"We tried to grow them up in a normal fashion," Wayne Rader said.
He reminisced about how the boys "grew up playing Little League Baseball with stinky socks on, then got on their boots and jeans and headed to the Opry."
Shawn Rader performed in more than 3,000 stage shows at the Ocean Opry on Front Beach Road, including more than 500 nationally acclaimed star shows. He started singing on stage at age 2 and playing guitar at age 6. A natural, he never has taken a voice lesson.
"I don't know anybody that started out at age 2," Wayne Rader said with a laugh.
His first song, "May I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight Mister?" was performed with his father on stage.
"My dad stood right there on his knee and helped me sing it," he said.
Following in his father's footsteps, Shawn Rader enjoys entertaining the crowd. During Opry days, he played the part of Skippy for the comedy act.
"I really want to be an entertainer. I get a lot of that from my father. I don't really want to be behind anybody," Shawn Rader said.
As a child, his grandfather nicknamed him "Wiggle Britches."
"He never could stand still on stage, and now he's just such a professional stage presence," Wayne Rader said.
After graduating from Bay High School in 2001, Shawn Rader attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., on a baseball scholarship.
But the music is in his blood.
"I do this because I believe God really wants me to do this in life and for fans," Shawn Rader said.
He said he always had a desire to do music, but his focus was on other things.
"I always attributed his movement on the field to the way he moved on stage," Wayne Rader said. "He was fast and he could move."
Country stars
While at Ocean Opry, the Raders opened for many major country music stars, such as George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, and Daryle Singletary.
Once again, a Rader will take the stage before another country star tonight.
Classic country singer Singletary performs from 9-10:30 p.m. tonight.
Other musical headliners will include Nashville star Billy Currington at 9 p.m. Friday and veteran gold-record holder Andy Griggs at 9 p.m. Saturday.
"I'm dynamite that hasn't been lit yet," Shawn Rader said.
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| Is there any way that I can purchase any of the Rader's CDs? Please let me know! Thanks alot! |
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| Sonja Lightsey - Oct 22, 2008 01:55:24 PM | Remove Comment |