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.