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Hillbilly Hecklers

‘Cuzin Gus and the Boys From Sasquatch Holler’ stir up the fun

The group has been nominated
for an award in Nashville

LA GRANGE, Ky. (April 2018) – The Inspirational Country Music Awards are presented to inspirational country music artists who echo their message: faith, family and country. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in the industry. Set for April 5, this will be the 23rd annual awards show, and it will feature an act hailing from La Grange, Ky.
Gracing the red carpet this year at the show, held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., will be an Oldham County Christian country band, Cuzin Gus and the Boys From Sasquatch Holler.
The group is comprised of Cuzin Gus (Zeb Son), Cuzin Floyd (Chris Powell), Cuzin Clem (Kevin Brodie), Cuzin Jubel (Eddie Kinberger) and Cuzin Slop (Joe Payne). They are making plans to be there, walk the red carpet and attend the awards show.They are one of the top five nominees in the Comedy category this year.

Photo provided

Cuzin Gus and the Boys From Sasquatch Holler includes (from left) Cuzin Floyd (Chris Powell), Cuzin Jubel (Eddie Kinberger), Cuzin Gus (Zeb Son), Cuzin Clem (Kevin Brodie) and Cuzin Slop (Joe Payne).

Zeb Son, who plays Gus, said their comedy act is a comedy stand up team. All the characters play their alter ego. Gus, Zeb’s alter ego, started many years ago to help his kids pronounce the letter G. Now the comic team comes out between the house band and guest performers of the night at the Christian Cowboy Church located in La Grange.
Cuzin Gus and the Boys From Sasquatch Holler usually plan a few ideas for the shows. There is no script to memorize; it is spontaneous comedy. Sometimes the group will sing Happy Birthday with silly twists with the humor unfolding as they perform. The events are held at 8 p.m. the last Friday of each month at the American Legion Building, 2301 W. Hwy. 146, adjacent to the Oldham County Fairgrounds.
“I’ve been at it a long time,” said Zeb Son.
Through the years there have been 15 different cousins. The comedy team has a lot fun with it plus also enjoy singing country gospel. Son and his wife, Joy, try to attend the ICM conference and award show every year. The couple were nominated as a duet about 10 years ago. The two especially enjoy the late night sing-arounds at ICM. The sing-arounds are very informal, with everyone in a big circle singing and sharing. People attend from all over United States.
The reigning Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent, and singer-songwriter Billy Droze will be this year’s  co-hosts at the show. Mo Pitney, Lucas Hoge, Jeff Bates, Buddy Jewell, Jason Crabb and many more will be making special appearances. Previous stars to grace ICMA’s  stage are Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Ricky Skaggs, Lonestar, Lee Greenwood, Diamond Rio, Emerson Drive, Tracy Lawrence, and Ray Stevens to name a few.
ICM Faith, Family, & Country Awards other four nominees for Best Comedy this year are Sue Duffield, T. Bubba Bechtol, Mark Staggs/Festus, Cornbread the Comic-A.K.A. Kenny Lee Robinson. Robinson won last year.
After finding out that Cuzin Gus and The Boys of Sasquatch Holler had been nominated, Zeb Son said, “I felt humbled to be in the top five.” The comedy team had previously been nominated for the Top 10.
Usually Guz and the Boys dress like they are from the 1880s. This year they will be walking the red carpet wearing their bibs with a tuxedo jacket.
Cuzin Gus and The Boys From Sasquatch Holler portray stereotypical, barefoot hillbillies. Son does not view their act as making fun of their heritage; rather, he views it as having fun with their heritage.
“They are a lot like my family. They were farmers; I am reminded of this as a look at a picture of my grandmother standing barefoot in the barnyard,” Son said.  The comic team views the act as continuation of their ministry.
The comic team has been performing for the Christian Cowboy Church for 24 years in May. Through the years, there’s been 15 different cuzins. Powell, who plays Cuzin Floyd, has been with the team the longest other than the founder, Son as Cuzin Gus. Powell received the stage name Cuzin Floyd because of his impersonation of Floyd the barber from the Andy Griffin Show.
Powell started with the show in 2000. At that time they were performing at Christian country concerts and sharing the comedy routine. They did monthly concerts bringing in area country artists. Team members, Zeb Son and Kevin Brodie are the  songwriters of the group. They founded the Christian Cowboy Church, which branched off from the country concerts.
Powell retired as co-parson on Jan. 1 after serving 10 years. Powell’s full-time job is a supervisor at Madison, Ind.’s King’s Daughters’ Hospital in the hematology department. Powell and his  wife, Jennifer, and their two children reside in Bedford, Ky.
“I was excited and tickled that we got nominated,” said Powell, who has attended several times before.
He says the comedy team has a saying: “If you are easily offended you probably will be.” The comedy team hopes that its audience learns to laugh and enjoy life, he added.
“Today people stress and worry about everything. The Bible says worry is a sin. Our comedy helps us and others not to take things so serious. It’s good clean fun, not vulgar that some find funny.” Powell said.

• Learn more about the association and its awards show at www.inspirationalcountrymusic.com.

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