The American Music Jubilee Cast
Auleana Barnes
Please
join the American Music Jubilee in welcoming Auleana Barnes to our
all-star line-up.
Born in Dudley, N.C., Barnes, her husband Stephen, and two sons reside in Goldsboro, N.C. Barnes knew she wanted to be an entertainer from a young age, singing in church. “God put a love and a passion for music inside me. Once you get to that point where you know where you are supposed to be, everything just falls into place,” Barnes said.
Growing up listening to a variety of music from Top 40, country and gospel Barnes developed her own musical style. “With inspiration from Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, and Celene Dion, I pursued my career in the music business,” Barnes said. Performing in our area at festivals, parties, and the country music showcase has led her to become a part of the American Music Jubilee family.
“Auleana is one of the best young talents I have run across in a long time for a musical variety show performer. She has a great attitude and connects well with the audience,” said Spook Joyner, Producer, Musical Director and owner of the Jubilee.
Barnes enjoys writing songs, is learning to play guitar and hopes to begin recording her first CD soon. When Barnes is not working at the Jubilee she enjoys the beach, the lake, and spending time with family and friends. “Growing up I wasn’t very confident about singing in front of people. In 1998 I got married and my husband encouraged me to sing more in church and this has really helped me to overcome that obstacle,” Barnes said.
“I am really thankful to have gotten the opportunity to be part of the American Music Jubilee family. Working with talented people and entertaining audiences is such a great feeling.” Barnes said.
Rodney Casey
Rodney
Casey was born in Princeton, North Carolina and currently resides in
Zebulon, with his wife, Jennafer and their four children, Austin,
Juliana, Jessi and Jordan. Rodney is 39 and holding. Casey has worked
with his father in their business, Casey and Son Appliances in Johnston
County for the past twenty years, however, hopes to make a move into the
insurance business soon.
At approximately age five, Casey remembers beginning to play drums. He played drums in the high school band and went to Mount Olive College on both music and academic scholarships. Casey played for the Mt. Olive Singers and has played drums for various stage productions.
Casey was also part of the band The Instruments of Praise, a contemporary Christian band for eight years. He also performed with Random Acts of Worship and the Johnston County Country Music Showcase. Casey sang and danced in college and has also sung backup for various local bands.
Casey’s hobbies include working with wood, making cabinets and various other things. He also enjoys American and political history.
Casey Coats
The American Music Jubilee is proud to welcome Casey Morgan Coats to the stage. Born and raised in Clayton, North Carolina, Casey has been singing all of her life. She is currently a student at both North Carolina State University and Meredith College; the latter at which she is pursuing a bachelors degree in Music.
Casey began singing in church, and then continued her love of music in high school and college. Casey performed with a gospel quartet called “The Hallelujah Girls,” at functions throughout the state, and is a special entertainer for many local events. She is an avid national anthem singer, and has performed it on numerous occasions, such as at the RBC Center for the Monster Jam and at CHS for the ACC All-Star game. In addition, Casey performs part-time with The Central Park Band.
Casey has held several titles including Teen Miss Johnston County, Teen Miss Selma Railroad Days, Miss Clayton High School, and Miss Selma Railroad Days. She performed the role of Sandy in Grease at CHS and has performed in several operas and scenes programs, including Capital Opera Raleigh’s Le Nozze di Figaro and I Pagliocci and Meredith College’s scene programs Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Dido and Aeneas.
Casey has won several awards for music, including 1st place in Musical Theatre at the National Association for Teachers of Singing Competition in 2003 and 3rd place in 2005. She was also a 2007 winner at Meredith College’s Concerto Aria Competition where she performed with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.
As a junior in high school, Casey produced a show entitled “Wish Upon A Star” which raised over $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation of Eastern N.C. She was part-producer and emcee for the 2005 Clayton Idol Competition and also helped produce Miss Clayton High School 2005: The Glitter of Broadway. Emcee experience includes the Teddy Bear Picnic at the Coca Booth Amphitheatre, the Children’s Stage at the Riverwood Street Festival, and the Riverwood Dance Academy Recital.
Casey’s love of music reaches all genres, and she has experience in classical, musical theatre, and country music. Casey has been involved with the JCC Country Music Showcase, as well as, master classes with Robert Edwin, Margo Garrett, and Jane Dillard. Casey has taken piano and dance classes, however, singing is her passion. After graduating Valedictorian of Clayton High School in 2004, Casey received a full scholarship to North Carolina State University where she was named Leader of the Pack at homecoming last year. Casey teaches beginning modeling and acting classes at Model Talent Management in Raleigh. She would like to thank her family for all of their support, and she hopes to share what God has given her with everyone she comes into contact with.
Paul Davis
The American Music
Jubilee is proud to announce that keyboardist Paul Davis will return for
our 2007 season. Paul, his
wife, and two girls make
For the past fifteen years he has been the keyboard player that the founders of the Jubilee have called on for their music venues. Paul has performed on Ralph Emory’s Television Show “Nashville Now” and has opened for the likes of T. Graham Brown and many other well known country acts. He is an incredible entertainer that simply loves to perform! From the time the curtain opens until it closes, his style and showmanship captivate the audience.
When Paul is not working at the Jubilee show, he enjoys his work as an independent painting contractor, playing with his kids, and making his wife happy. He also claims to be one of the world’s greatest outdoor cooks. There is no question why American Music Jubilee fans have titled Paul as their favorite musician. From the first note, to the last, he entertains you with style.
Amanda Hockaday
Amanda
is from a family of musicians and singers dating back three
generations. She has always enjoyed singing and performing and is
excited to be a cast member of The American Music Jubilee.
In 2001 Amanda graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing. Then in 2003, she graduated from the International Institute of Hair Design in Raleigh, NC. She is currently enjoying a successful career as a hair stylist at Salon on Third which has been voted Smithfield’s #1 Salon for four years.
Amanda comes to us from Four Oaks, NC where she resides with her three cats Buster, Cleo and Penelope and when asked about the show, Amanda said, “I feel blessed to be able to perform with such talented musicians and vocalists. The cast and crew of The American Music Jubilee are like family and we have a lot of fun together.”
Spook
Joyner, Producer, Musical Director and owner also plays lead guitar at the
American Music Jubilee.
Spook is a native of Spring Hope,
He has arranged music and performed throughout the country with a list of award winning bands that include “The Kruze Band,” “McArthur Park,” “Breeze Band,” “Windy City,” “The House Cats,” “Shiloah Lane and Runner,” who was the 1986 winner of the True Value Country Show Down. This group also appeared on Ralph Emory’s Nashville Now.
Spook has appeared on stage with some of Country
Music’s greatest performers such as Vince Gill, Steve Warner, Exile,
He also finds himself at home in the recording studio, where he produces and arranges projects for many different artists. Under his direction, Rudy Theatre Productions is becoming more diverse in the fact that his recording studio, “Vision Sound” is now located in-house. Vision Sound offers the field of recording to those seeking a good quality product and production.
When Spook finds time for himself, he enjoys hunting and playing golf. When asked about his love for the music business, Spook responds without hesitation, “I am thankful to God for the ability and opportunity that He has given me to make a living in this wonderful thing called the MUSIC BUSINESS.”
The
American Music Jubilee is proud to announce that Mickey Nines will be
performing for the 2007 show season as our comedian. Mickey’s love for
entertaining started at the age of 6, performing in front of an audience
singing Elvis Presley songs in Wilson County. His love for entertaining
continued through his high school years, where he started his own group
and performed at his own junior/senior prom.
After his high school years and service
in the military he formed a Gospel group known as “Born Again,” and went
on the road. While in Gospel music, he wrote numerous songs, as well as,
recorded a full-page album with Windchime Recording Studio in
After living in Texas for a brief time, Mickey relocated back to North Carolina, where he was introduced to The American Music Jubilee and there his passion for entertaining continues. In his own words, “Through the good clean entertainment, encouragement and support of the cast and crew, I am truly blessed to be a part of this family.”
Kevin Shaw
Kevin is a native of Nashville, North Carolina and started entertaining
at the age of three in his grandparents country store in Camden, North
Carolina.
Recently he has been a guitarist, singer and songwriter for FEED
Christian contemporary music ministry. Additionally, has served four
years in the Englewood Baptist Church Celebration Orchestra and Choir as
guitarist and soloist. Shaw is from a very musical family, his mother,
Jeanette Shaw majored in percussion at the University of Illinois, in
addition to being a music educator and worship leader for over forty
years. His daughter Kelly was the John Phillips Sussa award winner in
high school as the most distinguished senior in band, has attended ECU
majoring in music and was in the ECU Jazz Band. She now resides in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Kevin has been married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa, for 30
years. Music is a way of life for Kevin who is a published writer, plays
six different instruments and has recorded four full length compact
discs (CD) projects. “The American Music Jubilee is a wonderful place to
pursue a career in the entertainment field, learn from experienced
industry professionals and meet new friends,” says Shaw.
Donnie Lee Strickland
The
American Music Jubilee is pleased to announce that Donnie Lee Strickland
will be performing as vocalist.
Donnie was born in Wilson County, NC and first found
an interest in music at the early age of five when going to church. His
love of music continued as he sang in church and school plays. When
Donnie was in his early teen years, he got his first paying “gig.” He
went on to sing at many weddings, local festivals, and other functions.
While attending
He has won several contests and awards. Donnie was
named most talented of his senior class and also received the chorus
award that year. He has performed several times on the Johnston
Community College Country Music Show in Smithfield. Also, he has sung
the National Anthem many times at the Southern National Speedway in
Kenly. After graduating from Princeton High, Donnie traveled to Oklahoma
where her performed at rodeos and various clubs. In 1997, he was a
featured singer at the Oklahoma-Arkansas State Fair. Donnie made his way
back to Johnston County and became an understudy for the American Music
Jubilee. He later joined the cast and then moved to
Donnie has returned to Johnston County and rejoined
the cast of the American Music Jubilee. He now resides in
Jerry Williford
The
American Music Jubilee is proud to announce that Jerry Williford on
steel guitar will return for his 9th year this season. Jerry and his
wife Pat reside in
His talent doesn’t stop there, Jerry is also sings 1st tenor and very talented in the recording studio. During his high school years he played in various bands until going into the U.S. Navy. After his time in the military, he performed with artists like “The Oak Ridge Boys,” “The Happy Goodman’s,” "The Speer Family," “The Florida Boys,” and many others. According to Williford he has performed everything from churches to cruise ships.Through the years Williford has mastered not only the guitar, but the pedal steel guitar, as well. He plays two custom build electric guitars, a Fender Style Telecaster and a Les Paul Holmes custom in lay trim guitar. For pedal steel guitars, he has a 12 string Universal Tuning Zum Steel and a 10 string GFI. Williford has been a recorded musician on a variety of CDs, many of which are currently for sale at The Rudy Theatre. According to Spook Joyner, Producer, Musical Director and owner of the American Music Jubilee, "Jerry is without a doubt one of the finest and most versatile guitar players in Eastern North Carolina. His skill ranges from lead guitar to rhythm, bass, and of course, the pedal steel."
Williford is employed by day as a Human Resource Manager for a major company in Fayetteville. His favorite quote is, "If you fail to plan, plan to fail." During his free time Jerry enjoys baseball, boxing, fishing, and of course, listening to all kinds of music for new guitar licks. Williford says, “The love of music and working with other musicians as a unit to produce great quality entertainment to an audience made me decide to become an entertainer." When asked about working with the American Music Jubilee, he replied, "I really enjoy working with the Jubilee gang! They are like family and really work hard at producing a quality show for their audiences."
Hugh Worley, Jr.
The
American Music Jubilee is proud to announce that Hugh Worley, Jr. will
be back for a phenomenal 6th season as vocalist and emcee of our show.
Worley, born and raised in Smithfield, NC has loved to sing since he was
13 years old and he got his start by singing
in church. Among his many accomplishments, Worley has been honored
by being able to jam with artists like "Alabama," "Reba McEntire,"
"Marty Stuart," "Travis Tritt," and to perform on the Grand Ole Opry
stage where so many "greats" have performed. Although Hugh has
performed up and down the East coast, has appeared on two television
shows out of Nashville, TN, and has been offered a job as a backup
singer on the Grand Ole Opry, he is happy to have the opportunity to do what he enjoys
most, which is singing right here at home.
Worley has recorded several CDs and they are currently on sale at The Rudy Theatre. According to Spook Joyner, Producer, Musical Director and owner of the American Music Jubilee, "Hugh has been a right-hand man, anything he can help with he is ready to step up to the plate and do, whatever, for the betterment of the show." Hugh also feels fortunate to be a member of the American Music Jubilee and says, "The audience is my inspiration and their smiles are what keeps me doing what I try to do night after night."
Growing up, Worley was influenced by the harmonies of bands like "Three Dog Night" and as he grew older he fell in love with country music, with his all-time favorite band being, "Alabama." He also enjoys southern gospel music. Today's music holds favorites for Worley as well; he is a fan of "Josh Turner," "Rascal Flatts," "Brad Paisley," and "Brooks and Dunn." Worley performs many of the same songs that his favorite artists have recorded and in the new fall show at the Jubilee, Worley sings "Me and God" recently recorded by Josh Turner.
As for professional training, Worley took lessons to play piano for a few years and also learned to play guitar, however, singing is his passion. When not performing on the stage at The Rudy Theatre he enjoys fishing and Nascar. Worley has one son, Joseph who just turned 30. Worley and his wife Michele have made their home about five miles south of Princeton, NC on his father's farm. Michele is a special needs teacher with the Johnston County School System.