Branson's first hillbilly comedian Lyle Mabe dies

KY3 ^ | Feb 27, 2010

[nickcarraway]

Considered lovingly as Branson's first "hillbilly" comedian, Lyle Mabe has died after a long illness.

Mabe and his three brothers started The Baldknobbers Show in Branson in 1959.

Known as George Aggernite, Mabe played the washtub bass. In the 60s, Mabe went on bus tours during Branson's tourist-offseason spreading word of the city.

During the 70s and 80s, Mabe was a pitchman for Empire Gas of Lebanon. Many commercial spots became popular on KY3 starring the comic.

Second and third generations still perform for the Baldknobbers Jamboree. Lyle Mabe was 71.

[nickcarraway]

I never heard of him.

[irishtenor]

I’ll never remember the time he... Me neither.

[John W]

I thought mabe, but, no...

[Viking2002]

And? Tom 'T-Bone' Wolk died this past weekend. Helluva bassist.

[infowarrior]

While not a ntive to Missouri, my maternal grandparents settled there in the late 60's, building a house on the shore of Kincaid Cove, on the Lake of the Ozarks. We were frequent visitors, and I remember that house, the attractions at both the Lake, and at Branson, and even KY3, quite fondly.

The house, though I understand it is no longer standing, was built, not by contractors, but by the family, bit by bit, starting with clearing the land (I distinctly recall my father, along with my uncles clearing that land when I was maybe 5 years old). I myself, in time put my own imprint on it, shingling the roof at a later stage (by then, the outhouse had given way to indoor plumbing, and the old free-standing pot-bellied stoves to baseboard heating).

This kind of thing is no longer done, indeed, is no longer legally do-able, but I'll always cherish being a part of it, back when it was...

the infowarrior

[John W]

The four brothers who started the Baldknobbers variety show in Branson in 1959 include, from left, Bill, Jim, Bob and Lyle Mabe.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.