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Arts & Culture, Careers, Life, Music

Timothy Haygood Looks Back on 30 Years

by Sandy Selby

The Haygoods are one of the most popular shows in Branson, Mo. Timothy Haygood was only five years old when he began violin lessons, and he looks back at 30 years in the spotlight and on stage with his brothers and sisters in this Q&A with our editor.

Timothy is the oldest of six siblings starring in The Haygoods’ high-energy show. Photo courtesy The Haygoods.

Sibling Revelry
Interview by Sandy Selby

Timothy Haygood was five years old when he began pleading for violin lessons after watching violinist Itzhak Perlman perform on Sesame Street. No one could have known that flash of inspiration would lead Timothy, his little sister, and four younger brothers to form a musical group that has been entertaining Branson audiences for three decades, first as an act at Silver Dollar City, then as theater headliners. As a fixture of the Clay Cooper Theatre, the group will tally 135 shows this year. Timothy reflects on the unlikely path that led the Haywood kids from a house trailer in the Ozarks backwoods to the bright lights of Branson stardom.

Can you point to a single pivotal moment in your career?
Our entire journey began when our father saw the famous 60 Minutes special on Branson back in 1992. The next day he drove to Branson and met with the folks at Silver Dollar City. We were hired on the spot, and the rest is history!

How do you describe The Haygoods show experience?
You will see upside-down flying guitar players, triple laser systems, pyrotechnics, and fire effects, a guitar-playing flying robot, a jetpack-flying banjo picker, five people playing one harp, instruments and clothes that light up, spark, and fire tap dancing, an unmatched state-of-the-art light show, and many more surprises. You will hear a talented family performing hits from the ’60s through today on over 20 different instruments featuring country, rock ’n’ roll, pop, and everything in between.

What has been your greatest challenge as an entertainer?
When we began, we were entertaining a totally different generation of folks from who we entertain today. In the early years, we were way ahead of our time with music and special effects. We had to learn to listen to what people wanted and to find the right balance. About 15 years ago, there was a vast generational change in Branson. The entertainers who were the headliners in the ’90s retired, and a different type of customer began coming to Branson. In the last few years, we have seen another huge change in demographics. These days, it’s the Boomers, and this crowd wants to party, have fun, and is open to a more high-energy show.

What makes your work/family dynamic so successful?
We’ve lasted more than 30 years together by figuring out each person’s gifts and then staying in our own lanes. We are also extremely frank with each other in all our business conversations. We can do that because we are family, so that’s a big advantage. Survival in this industry requires being very nimble and removing personal ego from all decisions.

What can fans expect from your holiday show this year?
We have been working on some new technology elements for over two years that will finally be added to the show. We also have some brand-new, gorgeous arrangements done by an arranger who works for Disney that we will be debuting.

Is there a next generation of performing Haygoods coming up?
We have 10 children right now amongst the six of us. They are all very young and learning to sing and dance. When they get older, if they want to join us, that would be great!

Get a glimpse of The Haygoods on stage and check the show schedule at TheHaygoods.com.

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