Donald Lee Wright – January 9, 1954 – March 14, 2017

After a short illness, Donnie Lee Wright passed away on March 14, 2017. The last of four children, Donnie Wright was born in Bolivar, Missouri into a musical family. His mother, Norma played the guitar and his father, Walter, also a musician, hosted his own country and gospel radio show in Springfield, Missouri in the early 1950’s.

In 1960, Donnie showed his first interest in music by wanting to become a
drummer in a school band (but there was no band). His mother encouraged him
to play guitar instead, and showed him his first guitar chords. Donnie’s musical
aptitude was immediately apparent, so after teaching him all they could, his
parents arranged lessons for Donnie with a local musician named Herman
Hayes. Mr. Hayes, who was 80 years old at the time, was the founder of “Hootin’
& Hollerin’ Days” in Gainesville, Missouri (still going on today). Mr. Hayes was a
great influence on Donnie, and taught him mandolin, guitar and fiddle. He
challenged Donnie with very difficult musical pieces – mostly pop songs from the
1920’s. Mr. Hayes gave Donnie a piece of advice that he took to heart, “If you
love what you do and you’re good at it, you will always have work.”

Donnie started his first public appearances performing in local school houses that
were used as community centers. He played his fiddle and mandolin with the
local players. At this young age, he also started to give lessons to adults. At 10,
Donnie turned “professional” when he was hired to play mandolin and fiddle on
the “Farm-arama” show at Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri, which was
broadcast on KWTO Radio. The “Farmarma” show featured Nashville
performers, Buck Owens, Bobby Bare, Tom T. Hall and many others.

The Presleys (the first show on 76 Country Blvd. in Branson) began their careers
during this same time, performing at the Fantastic Caverns. Donnie was known
as “Little Donnie Wright,” and would bring out a milk crate and stand on it to
reach the microphone. In later years The Presleys Show became a landmark in
the Branson music scene and Donnie worked with them many times throughout
the years.

At the age of 11, Donnie was featured on the “Slim Wilson TV Show” from KY-3
TV in Springfield, Missouri. From that appearance Donnie was asked to perform
on an “Ozark Jubilee Reunion,” a nationally syndicated television show, where he
performed with bluegrass legends Jim & Jesse McReynolds.

Ralph A. Hunt, a politician in Springfield, Missouri, reopened the Jewel Theatre in
Springfield (the original home of the Ozark Jubilee) and started the Four Star
Opry. Donnie was hired as part of the show, playing fiddle, mandolin and guitar,
acting as a comedian, and in his spare time, giving music lessons in the lobby of
the theater before and after the shows. In addition to the Four Star Opry, Donnie
was part of a Branson show (owned and operated by Mr. Hunt) called, The Ozark
Mountain Dewers. While Donnie was with this group, they recorded an album of
the same name and were part of a national syndicated television show in
Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas that featured Nashville country music stars such as
Merle Haggard and Webb Piece.

Between 1972 and 1973 Jim Weatherly started the fourth country music show in
Branson, Missouri on 76 Highway called “Ozark Jamboree”. At 18, this was
Donnie’s first exposure as band leader/music director of the production.

Donnie was hired by the Presleys to be part of their show on the Branson ‘76
Highway strip. This was the same family group that started performing at
Fantastic Caverns, along with Donnie, in 1964. In addition to performing on the
show, Donnie was a private music tutor to the Presley’s children.

In 1976, Donnie was offered a position with country singer Judy Lynn who was
one of the first country music stars to regularly appear in Las Vegas. The Presley
family encouraged Donnie to take advantage of this opportunity. Judy Lynn was
renowned for her flamboyant western wear and traveled with an 8-piece band of
which Donnie was a part. Donnie performed on the Judy Lynn Show at the
Golden Nugget in Las Vegas for three years before returning to the Ozarks.

Donnie returned to the Childress Family show in 1979 and concentrated on
teaching until he became music director of the “Ozarks Country Jubilee” which
started in Springfield at a theater built specifically for the show. A syndicated
television, “Ozarks Country Jubilee Live” (televised in 48 states) was also
produced during this time. 26 episodes were made and Donnie was the
executive director of the show, being responsible for the song selection,
arrangements and comedy. In addition to the theatre schedule and the TV
production, the Ozarks Country Jubilee had an extensive road show itinerary
during the off season. In 1983 The Ozarks Country Jubilee moved to Branson,
Missouri and Donnie remained with the production.

Donnie returned to The Presleys Show in Branson in 1983 as co-producer and
continued teaching at the Childress music studio. In 1986, Donnie opened Wright
Music Studio in the Branson area, where he averaged 100 students per week.
The studio operated through 1998.

Warren Stokes (owner of the Ozarks Country Jubilee) started a new show called
“Warren Stokes Country Review” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1986 and he
hired Donnie to be the music director of the show. The show consisted of a cast
of 20 singers and musicians.

Donnie was hired by his old friend, Dave Drennon in 1990 to play on the Pine
Mountain Jamboree in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Donnie also produced a
comedy video for Jerol Adams, a.k.a. “Hargus Marcel”, who is one of the premier
comics in the Ozarks. Donnie stayed with the Pine Mountain Jamboree for six
years. In conjunction with Wright’s Studio, Donnie opened “The Sugar Tree Little
Theater” in Galena, Missouri, which was designed as a teaching and performing
academy, and taught as many as 100 students per week.

In 1997, while the Sugar Tree Little Theatre and the Wright Music Studio were
still in operation, Donnie was approached by Jim Steelman, a local entrepreneur,
about starting a new show in Cassville, Missouri at a theater he had purchased.
The Roaring River Theater show began and Donnie was the music director and
manager of the theater. The following year, Donnie served as theatre manager
and music director of The Eureka Springs Opry show in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas.

Country Music star, Johnny Lee, of the Urban Cowboy Tour, contacted Donnie in
2000 to work road dates with him. Donnie traveled with the Johnny Lee show
throughout the US and performed with Lee on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,
Tennessee several times. During this time Donnie also recorded with Grand Ole
Opry star Boxcar Willie, served as band leader for The Ronnie Prophet Show
and performed on the Delene Show in Branson.

Donnie started with a group called, The Hortons in 2001. He appeared on a
broadcast of the Louisiana Hayride with them on KWKH Radio performing on the
stage of the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport (the original home of the
Louisiana Hayride where people like Elvis and Johnny Cash launched their
careers).

From 2005 to present, Donnie along with his wife of 12 years, Debbie, and Brian
Capps performed on the traveling show Branson On The Road® – a show that
brings the Ozark style of music and production to cities throughout America.
Because of Debbie’s connection to Johnny Cash, Branson On The Road was
part of many Johnny Cash events in Nashville. They served as the lead
entertainment for the opening at the Johnny Cash Museum where they
performed for VIPs like Vice President, Al Gore. Branson On The Road® is seen
on the RFD-TV show “Midwest Country” on a regular basis. Donnie plays the
theme song, “Black Mountain Rag” for this television show. Donnie’s desire was
for Debbie and Brian to continue with their music and show. He will be honored
at every performance and his smile, antics, talent, and sweet spirit will never be
forgotten.

Everyone who knew him loved Donnie and he left an indelible mark on the
Ozark’s music community.

A Celebration of Life for Donnie will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Sunshine Baptist Church, 5034 E. Sunshine Terrace, Springfield, Missouri 65809. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sunshine Baptist Church.