SUPERSIZED FAMILY HAS SUPERSIZED TALENT IN NEW GAC SERIES, “THE WILLIS CLAN”, 12 SIBLINGS INCLUDE SINGERS, SONGWRITERS, MUSICIANS AND AWARD–WINNING DANCERS
If raising a large family was an extreme sport, Toby and Brenda Willis would be gold medalists. In a bucolic country setting in middle Tennessee they focus full–time on family life which includes their 12 children, ages 2 – 21, who are accomplished singers, songwriters, multi–instrumentalists and in the case of the older kids, internationally–ranked competitive dancers.The Willis Clan, a new series premiering on Great American Country (GAC), Thursday, June 27, 8:00 p.m EST goes behind the scenes with this musical family of talented, self–reliant and exceptional siblings.
Beyond homeschooling, beyond making their beds and tending to household chores, a normal day for each child begins at 8.00 am and includes rehearsing for a dance competition or musical appearance, designing and creating the costumes worn when they compete or preparing to travel en masse to a contest or gig. Additionally, a few of the boys are following in their father’s footsteps and are competitive wrestlers, having amassed 12 state titles.
While some may find their ways unconventional, the Willis clan is living family life to the extreme with equal parts love and intense discipline and it seems to be working. The Willis Clan band – comprised of the seven oldest siblings – has created and sold an album of original material and is being courted by a major record label; they tour in the U.S and abroad, have opened shows for the likes of The Band Perry and are represented by a top–tier artist manager.
“GAC did a special on the Willis Clan a little over a year ago and we continued to get great fan feedback on this incredibly talented and loving family,“ says GAC GM Sarah Trahern. “They excel at so many things; we can’t wait to see what’s next for this unique family.” Like GAC’s highly successful series Farm Kings (returning for a second season April 11th) that focuses on a commercial farming family of 10 children, The Willis Clan continues to celebrate hard–working, tight-knit American families, their struggles and victories.
For further information www.thewillisclan.com
