By Michele Karl as seen in the Seymour Herald:

It may be Dollywood Country here in Sevier County but at the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show it’s more like Hollywood. The theater showed off its newest theatrical presentation to media and guests this week with a Hollywood theme and enough music to keep everybody’s feet tapping.

Pigeon Forge has always been known as a great family destination and this show is one that should not be missed by not only tourists but locals as well.

After opening remarks and getting the kids on stage to do a little act of their own, the show begins with a Hollywood scene as the stars of the show, “Jimmy Bryant” as the lead director and “Stacy Mitchell” as his gallant but mainly nerdy assistant set their “film” in motion as Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe, sing songs from some of Americas best loved films.

The Black Bear Jamboree gang (six large animatronic black bears) sit on either side of the stage critiquing the show as the director and his assistant do their work.

The music then turns to the hottest tunes from the ’70s Disco era, and new Country music favorites, complete with a finale of inspirational and patriotic numbers.

The talented singers, dancers and musicians are so full of energy that you wonder how they are able to do what they do, show after show, and still making you feel like it is the first time they have performed the show onstage. With 250 costume changes, great looking sets, state-of-the-art lighting, and black light special effects it’s definitely a show full of excitement.
“This is the first time we have changed the show in a while so we are really excited about it,” stated Deborah Fee Newsom Director of Fee/Hedrick Public Relations.

David Fee, co-owner and president of Fee/Hedrick, says the goal of the new show is to give new audiences and repeat patrons a quality entertainment experience unlike any other show in the area. “When you come to the Black Bear Jamboree you are guaranteed lots of bears, lots of music, lots of fun and a guaranteed hand-clapping, toe-tapping good time,” Fee says.

A number of Fee/Hedrick employees collectively contributed to the script of the new show, including Stephen Knowles, Bob Hamill, David Hirschi, Alvin Robinette, and Russ Hollingsworth. Under the leadership of general manager Scot Tillery, the new top-rate show has been in the works for the past nine months beginning with last fall’s cast auditions.

Scot Tillery says the cast for the 2007 season was specially selected with the new show’s performance demands in mind. “For this show we cast performers who were not only good singers and actors, but also were talented in many styles of dance.”

The new show features about a dozen different dance styles – tap, jazz, ballet, disco, adagio pairs dancing, Broadway show-style dancing, square dancing and contemporary Country line dancing, just to name a few.

Tillery says of the song selections, “We’ve kept the same musical revue format of the Black Bear Jamboree Show that audiences are accustom to, but we’ve included new styles of music such as movie music and brought a new flare to the show with the disco fever number. So far, audiences have commented that they like hearing great Country music, but that they get a little extra at our show with other types of music represented.”

Besides the great show you are treated to some of the best fixin’s around with a meal of creamy vegetable soup, hickory-pit barbeque ribs, southern-style tender roasted chicken, seasoned green beans, farm-fresh seasoned potatoes, fresh buttery corn on the cob, hot golden brown rolls, unlimited beverages and desert.

In the end the “film” teaches a message about the spirit and culture of the Smoky Mountains region.

Dinner shows are at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. Adult tickets are $34.95, plus tax. One child, age 11 and under, is free with each paying adult. Additional child tickets are $9.95, plus tax. The “Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show” is produced by Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, which is the second largest privately-owned entertainment company in the Southeastern U.S. The company also owns and operates The Comedy Barn Theater, The Miracle Theater, and Magic Beyond Belief Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information about any of Fee/Hedrick’s shows, visit www.feehedrick.com or call 428-7676, toll-free at 800-908-9018.

“We are thrilled to have the lovely and ultra-talented Cori Jo Adams in our Black Bear Jamboree All Star Band,” said David Fee, owner of the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Theater. “Cori Jo puts her heart and considerable talent into every show.

“Adams opens up the show playing fiddle with our All Star band in the pre-show while our guests are enjoying a fabulous country feast,” Fee said. “She plays everything from high-flying country to Bluegrass to gospel. She joins the band in the “Can’t Stop Now,” song, performs a rousing rendition of “Rocky Top,” and yodels with her considerable vocal talent in “Cowboy Sweetheart.” She also joins the band in some gospel tunes including “I’ll Fly Away.” But where she really shows her musical abilities is when she fiddles “The Orange Blossom Special.””

Adams, 23, learned to play fiddle at the age of 7 from Daron Tapscott, a two-time Kansas State Fiddling Champion and the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA’s) coveted Fiddle Player of the Year for 1998. Tapscott is the fiddle player in her Dad’s band, The Blue and Gray Pickers.

“I don’t remember the first time I was on stage,” Adams said. “I’ve grown up performing my whole life. My Dad plays washtub bass with the Blue and Gray Pickers and I performed with his band ever since I was a little girl. I had two brothers who started playing fiddle but I was the only one who stuck with it.”

The Blue and Gray Pickers is a band dedicated to Bluegrass music. They perform old favorites, as well as gospel and original material. They were formed in 1982. Their first performance was for a Civil War battle re-enactment in their hometown of Lone Jack, Mo. Their name and costumes came about from this first experience.

While Adams was appearing with her father in the group, the group won the SPBGMA Old Time String Band award three years in a row and they were nominated for the Entertaining Band of the Year in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Adams credits Bluegrass star Allison Krauss as her musical inspiration and says Krauss was a big influence in her style of musical development. Krauss is a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, has sold millions of Bluegrass albums, and has won or shared 16 Grammys since 1990. In addition, she was the producer of “This Side” by Nickel Creek, which won best contemporary folk album in 2003.

In addition to the fiddle, Adams plays guitar as well. She sang in a Missouri All State Choir, and in an honors high school choir at Lee Summit North High School in Lee Summitt, Mo. She attended South Plains College Music School in Lovelland, Texas where she studied voice, fiddle, and guitar. At South Plains she was awarded a scholarship for sight-reading, and won best female Bluegrass vocalist and best female Bluegrass instrumentalist. She performed on television on Country Jukebox as well as on Alterna TV and spent one summer performing at Six Flags over Arlington, Texas.

She also attended Southwest Missouri University studying Music Entertainment Management. Adams left school to come to Pigeon Forge. After a brief stint playing fiddle at Fiddler’s Feast, she joined The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show.

When not playing music, Adams enjoys writing songs and wake boarding (like snow boarding only in water) and any other type of water sports. Since coming to Tennessee she has also learned how to clog.

The Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show Theater is a 10 million-dollar theatrical extravaganza that includes extraordinary sets, elaborate costumes, state-of-the-art lighting, colorful lasers, surround sound and a large award-winning cast. The show tells the story of the Legendary Black Bear Jamboree. It is said that once a year, all the black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains gather together in a secret mountain cave, where they celebrate with food, dance and song.

Adams can be seen playing fiddle and yodeling at the Black Bear Jamboree nightly at 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Tickets for adults are $ 34.95 plus tax. Children ages 2 through 11 are $9.99 plus tax. Children under 2 are free. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-985-5494 or (865) 908-SHOW. Other members of the Black Bear Jamboree band include band leader and lead vocalist Charlie King; Jared Wilson on drums; Jeff Jenkins on bass guitar and lead vocals and Jimmy Green on guitar.

During the Bite of Sevier County event, an auction will be held to raise money for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. Local artists have donated their works to the auction. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees will be available for bidding in addition to many items donated by Sevier County friends and supporters. All proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will be used to benefit the more than 9,000 disadvantaged school aged children in Sevier County.

Chris Rice, of the Black Bear Jamboree Theater is co-chairing the Bite of Sevier County event with her husband, Paul who is a member of the Marine Corps League. She says, “It is a great community event. Community leaders helping the community.” This is the first year for The Marine Corps League to chair the fundraiser. They look forward to many more successful years. “It is such a fun event that showcases our local restaurants, caterers and the community spirit!”

In addition to Mrs. Rice (of the Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group) assisting with the Bite of Sevier County for 2005, the Fee Hedrick Group is supporting the Toys For Tots program in each of its venues. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the Black Bear Jamboree Theater lobby, or at the Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge the deadline for toy drop off is December 19. Black Bear Theater executive Chef Mike Miller will be featuring special delicacies at the Bite of Sevier County. The Blackwoods, of the Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show at the Black Bear Theater, have donated an incredible gift basket featuring their music and memorabilia. That basket, along with a Christmas tree decorated and donated by Black Bear Theater will be available for auction.

Event: Bite of Sevier County
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Time: 5:30 PM
Tickets: $25.00 (all proceeds go to Marine Corps charity for children)
Contact for Reservations: Rick Leone @ 428-2219 or 850-2111, Paul Rice @ 908-1042,.
Benefits: Marine Corps Toys for Tots Sevier County Disadvantaged Children
For those who cannot attend Bite of Sevier County, Toys for Tots Drop off: Comedy Barn Theater and Black Bear Theater Lobby.

The new company offers catering for lunch and dinner meetings, parties, weddings, banquets, reunions, receptions, picnics, bar mitzvahs or any other special occasion. Custom ice carvings are a specialty.

Chef’s Choice Catering also offers cooking classes and demonstrations at the Black Bear Jamboree for groups of 20 or more.

J. Michael Miller is the certified executive chef for the company. He is a member of The American Culinary Association and has experience in food management and operations including extensive experience as an executive chef for Holland American Cruise Lines. He has been executive chef at the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Theater since January 2004 and will remain in this position in addition to his new catering duties.

“Chef’s Choice Catering can customize any menu to fit our client’s needs and we have tableware and linens available,” Miller said. “My staff and I prepare everything from scratch. I like to create unique dishes that will enhance the flavor and atmosphere of the event.”

Miller has experience as a chef on cruise ships and at country clubs and four-star hotels, including the Hilton Garden District Downtown, New Orleans, and as executive chef at Anthony’s in the Catalina’s Restaurant in Tucson, Ariz.

Miller holds a degree from the Culinary School of Arts, Bossier City, La., and an associate’s degree from Tyler Junior Community College.

David Fee and Jim Hedrick are co-owners and operators of Chef’s Choice Catering. Fee is president of the new catering company. Corporate sales representatives for the company include Debbie Fee Newsom, Chris Rice and Chris Paul. For more information call 429-7183.

“We looked and looked to find the best chef and we found Michael Miller,” Fee said. “Mike is extremely creative, energetic, enthusiastic and a talented cook. He is a great asset to our team and he has brought us both the quality and exemplary service that you would find on a cruise ship.”

Fee and Hedrick also own the Comedy Barn Theater, Discount Show Tickets, The Black Bear Jamboree Theater and Happy Days Diner. In addition, Fee and Hedrick will be opening The Miracle Theater on March 2006 in the location that is currently The Louise Mandrell Theater.

Originally from Dallas, Miller grew up in Irving, Texas. He and his wife, Ginger, live in Sevierville.

Chef’s Choice Catering also offers cooking classes and demonstrations at the Black Bear Jamboree for groups of 20 or more. The company is now taking reservations for Christmas parties.

J. Michael Miller is the certified executive chef for the company. He is a member of The American Culinary Association and has diverse experience in food management and operations including extensive experience as an executive chef for Holland American Cruise Lines. He has been executive chef at the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Theater at 119 Music Road in Pigeon Forge since January of 2004 and will remain in this position in addition to his new catering duties.

“Chef’s Choice Catering can customize any menu to fit our client’s needs and we have tableware and linens available.” Michael Miller said. “We can cater to any atmosphere from casual to elegant. My staff and I prepare everything from scratch. All of our vegetables are fresh and not frozen. I like to create unique dishes that will enhance the flavor and atmosphere of the event. My staff of professionals will make your event one to remember.”

Miller has vast experience as a chef in cruise ships, country clubs and four-star hotels, including the Hilton Garden District Downtown, New Orleans, La., and as executive chef at Anthony’s in the Catalina’s Restaurant in Tucson, Ariz. In addition he has experience in purchasing food and other related products for a variety of hospitality services.

Miller began his career loading trucks for Sysco Food Systems, Dallas, Texas and worked his way up to night supervisor. He then worked for 14 years as a District Sales Representative for the company. He left Sysco and went on to become a District Sales Representative for White Swan Food Service in Dallas and worked as an executive chef for Harvest House Bed and Breakfast in Arkansas.

During his career Miller has cooked for government officials, television personalities and corporate executives. He has experience in maintaining inventory control, ordering food and supplies, negotiating food prices, and in training cooks.

Miller holds a culinary arts degree from the Culinary School of Arts, Bossier City, La., and an associate’s degree from Tyler Junior Community College. He is a certified executive chef including certification in hazard analysis and critical control point (HAACP). In addition, he has won many awards in cooking competitions including awards for gumbo and butter carvings.

David Fee and Jim Hedrick are co-owners and operators of Chef’s Choice Catering. Fee is president of the new catering company and corporate sales representatives for the company include Debbie Fee Newsom, Chris Rice and Chris Paul. Chef’s Choice Catering will deliver meals to several counties, but most of the business will remain in Sevier County. For more information or to book an event call (865) 429-7183.

David Fee, president and chief executive officer of Chef’s Choice Catering said, “We can assure you that your event will be exactly what you envisioned and more. You will have an event to remember. We looked and looked to find the best chef and we found Michael Miller who was an executive chef with Holland America. Mike is extremely creative, energetic, enthusiastic and a talented cook. He is a great asset to our team and he has brought us both the quality and exemplary service that you would find on a cruise ship. We are so happy to have him at Black Bear Jamboree and in his new venture of Chef’s Choice Catering. He will ensure that we keep meeting our high standards of food, as we continue to improve our menu at Black Bear Jamboree and in our new catering business.

“At Black Bear Jamboree Chef’s Choice Catering we are dedicated to quality and we make the freshest food with the best ingredients,” Fee said. “So if you are hungry as a bear and need an event catered we urge you to call us. We know that the artistry and experience of Chef Michael Miller will provide you with the best Smoky Mountain Catering experience possible.”

Fee and Hedrick also own the Comedy Barn Theater, Discount Show Tickets, The Black Bear Jamboree Theater, and Happy Days Diner. In addition, Fee and Hedrick will be opening The Miracle Theater on March 10 of 2006 in the location that is currently The Louise Mandrell Theater.

Originally from Dallas, Chef Miller grew up in Irving, Texas. He and his wife, Ginger and their dog, Heidi, live in Sevierville. In his free time Miller enjoys water skiing, music and family time with his wife and dog. His favorite dish to prepare is stuffed crawfish tenderloin with mushroom cream sauce. Other favorite dishes are pistachio crusted pork chops and veal chops with Virginia ham and cheese. Miller said his specialty dishes usually have a southwest flair with a Cajun cuisine.