Benny McArthur, Texas Jamm Band 10 Night Tropicana Las Vegas NFR Party

For 10-nights straight the Texas Jamm Band is performing at the Gary Leffew Bucking Ball.  The band featuring members of George Strait’s own Ace in the Hole Band will entertain rodeo fans.  On the 25th anniversary of the movie Pure Country the lyrics from the song Heartland…will come alive with twin fiddles playing at the Tropicana.  The Texas-size dance floor and best drink specials cater to rodeo fans.

The Texas Jamm Band features award-winning musicians and songwriters with deep roots and respect in Country Music.  They are part of the unprecedented 60 number one hits with George Strait.

GARY LEFFEW’S BUCKING BALL LAS VEGAS NFR PARTY EVERY NIGHT

Texas Jamm Band – Drinkin’ Doubles

When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar, You’re listenin’ to the sound of the American heart.
The crowd will be dancing to twin fiddles, triple at times and a fourth on occasion.  Band members Benny McArthur, Mike Daily, Ronnie Huckaby, Mike Kennedy, Jon Kemppanien, Rick McRae and Tom Batts will take the stage gifting rodeo fans with traditional country music.  “It is fantastic to have twin fiddles and incredible for triple fiddles,” said McArthur.
Linda Brown, tour manager and agent for the band, said, “(Gary Leffew) Bucking Ball…it’s so suited to who they are. Their favorite audience is the people that dance.  Those dance halls are where these guys cut their teeth.”  When Scotty Alexander joins them on stage, he’ll be the fourth fiddle according to McArthur.
The Texas Jamm Band features award-winning musicians and songwriters with deep roots and respect in Country Music.  They are part of the unprecedented 60 number one hits with George Strait.
Brown noted, “They are extraordinary individuals on and off the stage…they do so many philanthropic things in their communities. They don’t do things for the recognition they do it because it’s the right thing to do.”  

Benny McArthur Courtesy Robyn Goode Photo

In 1983 Benny McArthur had the opportunity to join George Strait and has been with him ever since. McArthur’s  talents are many: guitar, fiddle, vocals, songwriting, producer and studio musician.  He started playing the steel guitar at age 8. His older brother Jerry took lessons McArthur recalled, “he would teach me, and I was playing.”
On December 1,  McArthur celebrated his 37th wedding anniversary with his wife, Tammy, at home.  Their 12-year-old granddaughter made them dinner, and he kindly took time for a telephone interview with Cowboy Lifestyle Network. December is also his birthday month and he’ll turn 65 the day after Christmas.  Speaking of Christmas, he wrote When it’s Christmas Time in Texas for George Strait.
McArthur told CLN about writing the song lyrics, “A friend of mine ran a Ford dealership, called me up… want to make $100 by taking a one-ton dually from Austin to Franklin, Texas?” he said.  McArthur  agreed to the dealer transfer and by the time he reached Bastrop, Texas he’d written the lyrics “there may not be snow in San Antonio.”  Eleven pages of verses later he’d whittle them down with the help of the “song doctor” his wife.  
The crowd at the Tropicana will experience a large musical selection. How does the Texas Jamm Band select their sets?  “There is one rule of thumb…we play the kind of music you can dance too. We play up-tempo, medium and slow by alternating.  Amarillo by Morning will always fill the dance floor,”  he replied.  
In addition to their music, the sets will include songs by Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, George Jones, Mel Tillis, Ray Price and yes, of course, George Strait tunes.  Brown informed CLN that each night would have a different setlist…but confirmed some favorite songs would repeat.  
McArthur, a very accomplished fiddle player, is self-taught.  “You’re Something Special to me….has a really good fiddle, everybody just packs the floor,” he kindly mentioned when asked about some of his favorites.  
The first song he learned on fiddle was Honky-Tonk Stardust Cowboy.  “I loved it at the time.  I was very fortunate when I was 17 and 18 (years old), I met Mel Tillis… they had three fiddles and they just blew me away.   My friend and I decided to be fiddle players,” he continued.  “Nowadays you might see one fiddle player (in a band)…they certainly aren’t doing traditional country music,” he shared.
A Texas-size dance hall serving the best drink specials in town featuring the Texas Jamm Band with a triple fiddle at the Tropicana during the WNFR is like hitting the jackpot.  McArthur noted, “we always do, Bob Wills Faded Love, the anthem of Texas and some cajun stuff.”
McArthur concluded by saying, “I’m  a very blessed person, I have a wonderful wife, kids and family. The Lord has blessed me to play music and make a living.  We’d just like for everybody to come out and see us.  We can guarantee them a good time. “
Free admission, free parking. Come country swing to When it’s Christmas time in Texas, during December with the songwriter himself.