Cast and Crew

In the '70s, Roy Clark symbolized country music in the U.S. and abroad.  He used his musical talent and his entertaining personality to bring country music into homes across the world. As one of the hosts of TV's "Hee Haw" (Buck Owens was the other) for more than 20 years, Clark picked and sang and offered country corn to 30 million people weekly.  Among his numerous vocal hits are "Yesterday, When I Was Young" and "Thank God and Greyhound." Instrumentally, he has won major awards for both guitar and banjo. Clark has also co-starred on the silver screen with Mel Tillis, in the comedy UPHILL ALL THE WAY.

Country music legend, Mel Tillis started performing in the early ‘50’s with a group called "The Westerners" while serving as a baker in the United States Air Force.  In 1956, Webb Pierce recorded a song written by Mel entitled “I’m Tired”, and it launched Mel’s musical career.  In 1976, Mel Tillis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame, and that same year, he was named Country Music Association’s (CMA) Entertainer of the Year.  Also, for six years in the 70’s Mel won "Comedian of the Year."  On September 21, 1999, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named Mel the Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.  In 2001, he was the recipient of the Golden Voice Entertainer Award as well as the Golden R.O.P.E. Songwriter Award.  On June 9, 2007, the Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis as its newest member.

Photo by Scott Reed

Trent Willmon was born in Amarillo, Texas. He grew up on a ranch near Afton, Texas without a television and only one radio station and thus learned to read at a young age. He spent his first years of high school studying agriculture and winning statewide awards in 4H and FFA. His focus started to change when his mother bought him his first guitar at age 16. He soaked up the West Texas music scene and began sitting in with local favorites like the Maines Brothers Band and Jody Nix, among others.  He attended South Plains College and studied agriculture and animal science. While there he quickly learned to play the upright bass and began touring the South with a bluegrass band, then moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. Willmon was the first writer signed to the staff of Sea Gayle Music, an EMI co-publishing company started by Chris Dubois, Frank Rogers and Brad Paisley.  Willmon released the single "Beer Man" in early 2004 and later that summer Rogers produced his debut album. "A Little More Livin'" followed two year later.  On February 26, 2008, he released his newest album, "Broken In."

Anthony Henslee grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Texas.  Although ranching was a way of life, there was nothing he enjoyed more than going to the movies and westerns, of course, were his favorite.  After moving to San Antonio in the mid 80’s, the family started a small production company, Henslee Productions, shooting TV commercials for local businesses.  During the 20-plus years the company has been in operation, Anthony has had the opportunity to hone his writing, directing and editing skills with the production of over 200 commercials that have been televised locally, regionally, and nationally.  Anthony has produced spots for Blue Bell Creameries, Sea World, Animal Planet and many more.  As the business grew, the aspirations for producing movies grew as well and in 2004 Anthony started writing the screenplay for his first movie and created Cottonwood Entertainment.  With the help of business associates, friends and family Anthony’s dream was realized with the production of PALO PINTO GOLD.

Photo by Scott Reed

A graduate of Texas A&M University and a successful business entrepreneur, Glynn Praesel brought his business experiences and creative talent to this film.  For example, one of his businesses is located in Nashville where he and business partner Trey Strait formed a publishing company and artist management company.  This music connection has helped to bring both talented Texas performers and national artists to PALO PINTO GOLD.  In addition, his contacts in the music business have paved the way for the soundtrack and the film's theme song.  He has also helped found the San Antonio Film District, a 501C3 corporation, and remains an active board member. For Glynn, acting has always been a passion; his role in PALO PINTO GOLD is a dream come true.

Joanna makes her acting debut in PALO PINTO GOLD after having been discovered by a month-long talent search conducted on WOAI-TV's "San Antonio Living" morning show.  Blessed with incredible natural ability, Joanna prevailed over dozens of more experienced actresses during a series of auditions held at the Enchanted Springs Ranch.  Originally from the east coast of Florida and now presiding in the Texas Hill Country, she enjoys all outdoor activities and participates in a wide variety of sports.  Given her debut performance in PALO PINTO GOLD, we believe Joanna has all that it takes to have a long and successful acting career ahead.

Photo by Scott Reed

In the fall of 2007, the MSNBC program, “Your Business”, featured Dr. Schmidt because of his unique entrepreneurial approach to building successful businesses.  Col. Schmidt’s exciting Air Force career was packed with flying B-52’s, completing a PhD degree in Applied Business Statistics and serving as a Tenured Associate Professor at the USAF Academy. Having authored three highly successful college and business textbooks, Steve started an international consulting business where he  gained a trusted position as advisor and educator for top executives in General Electric, Sony, and a hundred more organizations around the world.  Today, he continues to develop and operate a Western tourist attraction and movie set.  Complete with an authentic 1800’s old west town, breathtaking landscape and wild animal park, Enchanted Springs Ranch has been the perfect place for the History Channel, PBS, GAC plus numerous U.S and overseas networks.  Several independent feature and short films have been shot at the ranch in addition to commercials with George Strait and Pat Green.  Recently, the ranch served as the primary location for PALO PINTO GOLD with more film and television activity scheduled in the future.

Photo by Scott Reed

Bill Hart has worked in Hollywood for over 50 years as a stuntman and actor.   He began his career in 1955 doing stunts for several episodes of "Gunsmoke."  Subsequent stunt work includes such notable films as John Wayne's THE ALAMO, McLINTOCK!, THE WILD BUNCH, THE GETAWAY, YOUNG GUNS and ARMY OF DARKNESS.  His acting career includes appearances on a variety of television shows including "Wanted: Dead Or Alive," "The Outer Limits" and "The Rockford Files" and in such diverse films as TOM HORN, DUEL AT DIABLO, OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE and SCROOGED.

Kinky Friedman, Joaquin Jackson, Jay Novacek, and Buddy Strait.

Robert Earl Keen, Kevin Fowler, Jason Allen, Jarrod Birmingham, Todd Fritsch, Rodney Hayden, Derek Sholl