Life at Lee Mace's Ozark Opry

Onetime performer authors book on Mace's success story

Published author Daniel Peek joins some of the co-founders and stars of the legendary Ozark Opry during two book signings of "Live! at the Ozark Opry" Dec. 2-3 at Downtown Book and Toy.
Published author Daniel Peek joins some of the co-founders and stars of the legendary Ozark Opry during two book signings of "Live! at the Ozark Opry" Dec. 2-3 at Downtown Book and Toy.

"When you play on stage, you are not playing for yourself. You are playing for the audience." Those words of advice by legendary Lee Mace resonated with Dan William Peek.

The 2-year-old New Morning Singers folk ensemble, which included Peek and two high school buddies from Versailles, was handpicked to perform nightly at Mace's newest country western venture in 1964 - Lee Mace's Hillbilly Hootenanny in Osage Beach.

As result of his experiences, Peek decided to work on "Live! At the Ozark Opry" -- a book highlighting Mace, the Ozark Opry and how it established a style of entertainment that has been celebrated and elevated since its inception.

With four book signings coming up in the next few weeks, Dan William Peek kicks off two of these special events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2 and 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3 at Downtown Book and Toy on High Street in Jefferson City.