Road to the Horse -- The World Championship of Colt Starting! A Tootie Bland Production

John Payne, a.k.a the One Arm Bandit, will be dropping jaws once again with his wildly entertaining and daring acts at the World Championship of Colt-Starting in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7, 2010. Performing with a wide variety of animals from buffalo to mules to mustangs, this Oklahoma cowboy is always adding new and adventurous stunts to his already awe-inspiring performance.

"The Road to the Horse fans have asked for it and they're getting it! The Bandit will be back to thrill and amaze us all at Road to the Horse 2010," exclaims Tootie Bland, owner and producer of Road to the Horse. Back by popular demand, Payne says, "If you don't think my show alone is worth the price of your Road to the Horse ticket and can convince my momma of that, then I'll give you your money back!"

Although his momma is his biggest fan, she is not the only one who thinks that he is a spectacular entertainer. Earning his name because of an electrical accident that claimed his right arm, the One Arm Bandit is a nine-time winner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association's (PRCA) "Specialty Act of the Year" award.

Born into a ranching family, Payne has been involved in rodeo for almost 25 years. Both his son, Lynn, and his daugter, Amanda, have joined his rodeo act which usually includes walking buffalo and horses on top of a horse trailer. Traveling across the nation performing at rodeos, the One Arm Bandit & Co. is on the equine industry's most wanted list.

"John Payne is the wildest man on the planet," says Tootie Bland. "If you tell someone that you know a guy that has one arm, chases buffalo while riding wide open and cracking a bull whip and then runs the buffalo on top of his trailer hot on their heels while spinning and wheeling his horse 15 feet in the air, they'll laugh and tell you that you're crazy. But we're not crazy, it is John Payne, one of the greatest entertainers ever...period."

Mary Ann Kennedy
Grammy Nominated Artist to Perform at Road to the Horse

There is only one way to experience the music of Mary Ann Kennedy. Just listen to it. There is no format for it. There is no category for it. There is no precedent for it. Mary Ann is the voice for horse and animal lovers everywhere.

Mary Ann has over 25 years of traditional success in the country and pop fields. She has worked with Emmylou Harris, Sting, Art Garfunkel, Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, LeaAnn Rimes and Pam Tillis among others. Her first Grammy nomination was for her single “Ring on Her Finger,Time on Her Hands” recorded by Lee Greenwood and Reba. Restless Hearts, “I'll Still Be Loving You”, earned a second nomination. Mary Ann co-wrote and performed on Martina McBride's hit single “Safe in the Arms of Love”, as well as many other recordings over the years. She has earned the respect and admiration of many cohorts in Nashville and in the music business around the world.

A dedicated Natural Horsemanship student herself, Mary Ann seems to express what we all feel in our hearts for our beloved horses and the life we all live with them. Through melody, rhythm and humor in song, this is music for horse lovers. “Ride to it...Listen to it...Sing along! This is indeed OUR music. Music from the heart about horses and the animals we love,” says Kennedy.

A portion of the sale proceeds of Mary Ann's CDs go to various animal welfare groups. Her CD collection includes The Trail Less Traveled, Hoofbeats, Heartbeats & Wings, The Rhythm of the Ride and Who Saved Who. These albums will be available for purchase at the Road to the Horse merchandise booth. Her music is also available on her web site at www.maryannkennedy.com.