Branson Entertainer Receives Prestigious Award
Written by Tim Gregg

On February 28th, local fiddler and entertainer Ricky Boen was called back to his hometown of Odessa, Texas to receive one of the community’s highest honors. The Heritage of Odessa Foundation, in conjunction with the Odessa American newspaper, awarded Mr. Boen as a Distinguished Former Odessan.

Each year, the foundation honors selected former residents for their contributions in their careers, along with honors for current residents for their achievements in thirteen categories ranging from the arts, business, and community service to education, government, religion, and philanthropy. The foundation has presented the awards since 1984.

Ricky Boen is a Texas State Champion Fiddler, World Champion Fiddler, and winner of the Academy of Western Artists Western Swing Group of the Year with Texas Mud. Ricky has worked with notable artists such as Michael Martin Murphy, Steve Wariner, the Texas Playboys, Asleep at the Wheel, and Ray Price. He has his own show here in Branson, Ricky Boen and Texas Mud, at the Hamner Barber Theater and is currently a member of the Sons of the Pioneers.

Joining Mr. Boen as this year’s honorees, other 2007 award recipients included U.S. Representative K. Michael Conaway, noted for his work with President George W. Bush, Price Waterhouse, and numerous political and charitable organizations; and production designer Bruce Allen Rodgers, noted for his work on the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the 2007 and 2008 Super Bowl Halftime Shows, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and numerous artists and companies such as Madonna, Johnny Cash, Microsoft and Disney.

Mr. Boen, Congressman Conaway and Mr. Rodgers will join prominent figures including former president George H. W. Bush, entertainers Larry, Rudy, and Steve Gatlin, and rodeo star Ty Murray, among many others, as distinguished recipients of the award.

Related Interview: Ricky Boen