Russ Hearn
After failing to heed the advice of his father - that he should pursue music only as a hobby - Russ Hearn has managed to keep his hand in the music business since his early teens. In his twenties, God called Russ to ministry, and he soon realized that he could honor the Lord best by doing what he loved most.

He is blessed with a wonderful bride of eighteen years, Wendy Hearn, and two children, Faith and Marty. He also wants to thank his loving mom, Clydean, for her support over the years.

Russ' favorite Bible verse: (Psalm 37:4) Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.


Carey Dyer
Carey Dyer was one of the original Granbury Live performers and over his seven years at theater, logged literally thousands of hours on stage as a singer, comedian, and vocal impressionist. Along the way, Carey picked up the mandolin and the blues harp. In September 2006, he was named one of five finalists for "Best Vocalist of the Month" by Singer Universe magazine.

Carey graduated with honors from Union University in Tennessee, and it was there he sensed God calling him to a ministry in the arts. After college, he toured the country in a Christian music and drama group. As God would have it, one of the other singers, Dena, became his wife. They moved to the Lone Star State, where Carey graduated from Southwest Seminary in Ft Worth, TX with a communications degree.

He has since served in such varied roles as studio singer, youth minister, drama teacher, and Elvis impersonator (no, really). When he's not on stage, he loves songwriting, exercising, and watching "Andy Griffith" reruns with Dena and their two boys, Jordan and Jackson.

Carey's favorite Bible verse: (Psalms 13:6) I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.


Dena Dyer
Dena sang her first solo (Jesus Loves Me) at the age of three-and she feels extremely blessed to get paid to do what she has always loved. A Baylor grad with a double major in music and English, Dena grew up reading books, writing in notebooks and dreaming of life as a "musicianary." She spent two years traveling with a creative arts team after college, where she met and fell in love with Carey Dyer.

Their twelve years together have included time in "The Promise" (a life-of-Christ pageant), youth work and drama ministry-but some of their favorite moments have come from their time together onstage. Dena is also a published author and professional speaker to women's groups. She loves watching movies, blogging (www.denadyer.com), and spending time with her three "boys"-Carey, Jordan, and Jackson.

Dena's favorite Bible verse: (I Corinthians 2:9) No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.


Cass Moore
Cass has been involved in music for over 25 years. Along with his keyboard versatility, his talents include sound design, live stage presentation, industrial film and television scoring, and editing music for dance/drill team competitions.

A graduate of The Major School of Hard Knocks, with a minor in Trial By Fire, Cass successfully completed his OJT (on-the-job-training) arranging, writing, and conducting the opening act for Bob Hope and Eddie Rabbitt. He's also played for acts such as The Drifters and Chuck Berry, and he performed with Russ & Wendy Hearn and Linda Morgan in "The Really Big Show" for eighteen years. For seven years, Cass served faithfully with the worship ministry at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury. Cass's bride's name is Carolyn, and they have two daughters, Danica and Courtney.

Cass' favorite Bible verse: (Matthew 7:12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.


Linda Morgan
Linda Morgan began living her dream while still in her teens. She traveled and performed with some of the nation's top show bands, from Aspen to Orlando and L.A. to the Big Apple. Linda has shared the stage with such notables as Steve Martin, John Denver, Hank Williams, Jr., Gary Mule Deer, and the Dixie Chicks. Back home in Abilene, Linda co-hosted the #1 radio show, "Bobby and Bonnie," on the #1 radio station, KEAN 105.

After moving to Dallas, Linda returned to the stage with "The Really Big Show," a top corporate event band which included Russ & Wendy Hearn and Cass Moore. Two years after Russ and Wendy and Cass left the band to start Granbury Live, Linda (feeling very blessed) joined her friends in the merriment. It's been said, "Janis Joplin, Bette Midler, and Gladys Knight sound a lot like Linda" (editor's note: I have been unable to source the quote, but I've heard her sing and wouldn't disagree).

Linda's favorite Bible verse: (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.


T.J. Smith
T.J. Smith is a talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, keys, drums, dobro, harmonica, and mandolin). He also performs over 100 voice impressions of famous singers, politicians, actors, and cartoon characters. T.J. began playing guitar at age 14 and wrote his first song at 15. Since then, he's written over 400 songs, toured extensively, won numerous awards, and had several hit singles in the Christian Country market.

T.J. has logged stage time with Earl Thomas Conley, The Forrester Sisters, Vern Gosdin, Merle Haggard, and Ricky Skaggs. He's even performed on Austin City Limits, and feels blessed to now call the Hill Country "home." T.J. spends his time offstage with his wife, Lisa, and his son, Dylan, and daughter, Tori.

T.J.'s favorite Bible verse: (2 Thess. 2:13) But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.


Wendy Hearn
has enjoyed performing all over the country and is thrilled to find herself settling in her own backyard! While growing up in San Antonio, her family spent most vacations in the Hill Country--so she feels like she is truly coming home. A theater major in college, Wendy traveled and performed with the show band 'The Really Big Show" (where she met her husband, Russ Hearn). They spent eighteen years providing corporate entertainment in various venues, and they opened for numerous stellar acts-including a talented group of motorcycle-riding baboons.

After seven years as co-founding partners and entertainers at Granbury Live, she and Russ are grateful to have the opportunity to continue their entertainment ministry in the Hill Country. The Hearn's enjoy spending down-time with their son, Marty, and daughter, Faith.

Wendy's favorite Bible verse: (1 Cor. 15:58) Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord you labor is not in vain.  
 
Jacob Longoria
Jacob attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for three years seeking music as a major. He began running a very large and successful restaurant for a few years focusing solely on the restaurant business. “I thought the restaurant industry was where I wanted to be, but I realized that my passion for music was never going to go away. That is when I decided that I would give my passion a try and seek a career in the music industry.”  

Three years ago, July 2004, Jacob bought his first drum set. He began seeking information and people that could help him become a better musician. He has trained with Sherry Rubins (UTSA and the San Antonio Symphony), Phil Dalmolin (Dixie Chicks), and Todd Sucherman (Styx). Jacob has also played or sat in with the Community Bible Church Orchestra, Covenant Church Orchestra, Ryan King and Unplugged, John David Martinez and The Level9 Band, Bobby Baker and The Ruffnecks, Justin Grant and the BRD, and many more. Jacob is currently a staff drummer for Community Bible Church-Bulverde, and is the drummer at RockBox Theater. “I feel so blessed to have a career as a drummer. I never thought someone would actually pay me to play drums. What's more incredible is I get to play drums and continue see my beautiful wife, Mary, and our two amazing kids, Gloria and Israel, every day. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. God Is Good!”

 Jacob's forward goals are to continue a career in music as a session player, educator, and producer. Jacob is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

 Jacob's favorite bible verse: Ephesians 3:8 (NLT) God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

 


Mark Best
Mark has been a professional musician and music educator for 38 years having performed along side Michael Martin Murphy , Jerry Jeff Walker during the 70’s and Christian recording artist Cynthia Clawson during the 80’s.

Although Mark is a classical orchestral conductor he enjoys all musical genres. Mark began a fiddling program in 1995 for Abilene I.S.D. where the Cooper High School Fiddlers played for TMEA with Sony recording artist Mark O’Connor. Further concerts include performances with country recording artists Ricky Skaggs, Lee Ann Womack, the opening of The National Cowgirl Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas and for First Lady Laura Bush. The fiddlers recorded three cd’s and four music videos in a span of 6 years and performed from San Francisco to the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Mark performs on bass, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and voice. He is the father of six children all of whom are musically gifted. Mark loves anything dealing with the old west and horses! Having been in music ministry for 15 years his favorite bible passage is the 23rd Psalm.