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Tahlequah, OK - Texans Kimmie and Gabe Rhodes serve as Musical Director and Composer of the musical score for the Trail of Tears Drama. The drama tells the timeless story of the Cherokees forced migration from their aboriginal homeland in the Southeast and the emotional period of adjustment in the new territory in Tahlequah Oklahoma. The drama began July 7 and runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings through Labor Day Weekend. Tickets for the drama are $15 for adults and $7.50 for students and children. For more information, call toll free (888) 999-6007 or visit the web site.

Kimmie Rhodes is a native Texan who grew up in Lubbock and began her singing career at the age of six with her family gospel trio. When she was eighteen, Ms. Rhodes moved to her family's farm near the Red River and became a farmer. While on the farm, she started playing guitar and has said, "writing just sort of sneaked up on me."

Kimmie moved to Austin in 1979 where she met and married DJ and producer Joe Gracey, an instrumental figure in the Austin progressive country music scene. In 1981 she recorded her first album, followed by two others in 1985 and 1989. The records led to a series of European tours which received rave reviews. More recently, she has released CD's compiled from her original songs.

Personal appearances by Ms. Rhodes include Willie Nelson's Farm Aid, Late Night with David Letterman, Austin City Limits, and The Nashville Network's "Legend Series."

Ms. Rhodes songs have been recorded by such stellar artists as Willie Nelson, Wynona Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, CeCe Wynans, Joe Ely, John Farnham and Waylon Jennings. She has written and produced a musical review for the play Hillbilly Heaven, and is in the midst of writing and recording songs for a collaborative work with Joe Sears entitled Doin' God's Chores, and collaborating with her son and fellow band member, Gabe Rhodes on two one-act musicals. Kimmie Rhodes lives in Austin and performs with her band which also includes her husband Joe Gracey.

Gabe Rhodes, composer of the musical score for the Trail of Tears Drama, was born in Sunset, Texas in 1974. He is an accomplished musician, composer, arranger and producer. Mr. Rhodes list of credits includes producing records by Kimmie Rhodes, Paula Nelson and Lee Duffy; co-producing music with Bob Ezrin, for the Babe, Pig in the City CD; appearing on the new Willie Nelson Island release The Rainbow Connection; appearances with Kimmie Rhodes on The David Letterman Show and Austin City Limits; and appearances on countless festival stages here and abroad with Kimmie Rhodes, Willie Nelson, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Having starred in two previous Joe Sears/Kimmie Rhodes productions, Small Town Girl and Hillbilly Heaven, Mr. Rhodes is currently involved in the music for the newest collaboration, Doin' God's Chores. He is also collaborating with Ms. Rhodes on two one-act musicals entitled The Puppeteer and Windup World, and on her next CD Love Me Like a Song. Gabe Rhodes now lives in the Texas hill country west of Austin.