Country music favorites The Malpass Brothers are heading back to the RFD-TV Studio in Fort Worth, Texas, to film the third season of their hit television series, The Malpass Brothers Show. The taping will take place November 11–13, featuring a lineup of special guests, live music, and comedy that pays tribute to the golden age of country entertainment.
The show, known for blending traditional country sounds with humor and heart, promises a memorable experience for fans. Audiences will see Lacy J. Dalton and Jason James perform on November 11, David Frizzell and Jenee Fleenor on November 12, and Dale Watson and Tayla Lynn on November 13. Doors open at 11:00 a.m., with filming beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In a recent interview, Chris Malpass shared his excitement about returning to the RFD-TV stage. “We are so excited to be back for the third season of The Malpass Brothers Show. RFD-TV is such a wonderful outlet for traditional country music. There’s nothing like being a part of this great TV family,” he said. “This season will bring many talented guests that we are so honored to share the stage with. We want to thank all of the fans for your continued support of the show.”
Tickets are available through themalpassbrothers.com and heartoftexascountry.com, with options for $50 per day or $100 for a three-day package.
Location:
RFD-TV Auction Barn Studio
409 E Exchange Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
Inside the Show’s Classic Format
During the interview, Chris explained that the show follows a consistent format inspired by classic programs such as The Porter Wagoner Show and The Wilburn Brothers Show. While the structure remains largely the same, they sometimes tailor episodes to honor specific guests, incorporating songs or moments that highlight the artist’s legacy.
The show is filmed before a live audience, something Chris says adds to the energy and excitement. “We have a live audience every time just because we think it adds some, you know, it just adds a little magic to it.” He said that during breaks, they go out and joke with the crowd. And it’s a lot of fun.
Bringing Humor and Heart to Traditional Country
Chris explained that while the music and interviews are carefully planned, the comedy on the show is entirely improvised. “As far as the jokes, we don’t have anything written down. My brother just does that off the top of his head,” he laughed. Because nothing is scripted, some jokes may appear in multiple episodes, adding to the show’s unpredictable humor.
He added that their inspiration for this off-the-cuff approach comes from their time on the road with Merle Haggard, who became a mentor to the brothers. “He was really like a father to us on the road. We stayed with him at his house, and my parents came out a few times and for seven years, we were on the road steadily with him. He was my biggest influence, growing up. It was a major deal, and it was great working with him.”
Working with Merle Haggard would have been many artists’ dream come true. Chris shared what he learned from touring with such a legendary artist. “Probably just be yourself,” he began, “and don’t worry about trying to fit a record labels mode or changing what you do, because if you’ll stay true to your sound, you’ll endure through the changes of the music business.”
He explained how the fans are drawn to what they like and stick with it. “Country music fans are the most loyal fans out there.”
Celebrating Country Legends and Welcoming New Guests
Over the past two seasons, The Malpass Brothers Show has featured legends such as T. Graham Brown, Lorrie Morgan, Neal McCoy, and Gene Watson. Chris shared that one of the most memorable moments was honoring Randy Travis. “That was probably the most memorable one we’ve done,” he said. “He and Mary were so kind to us.”
As for dream guests, Chris hopes to welcome John Anderson and Joe Nichols to future seasons.
When it comes to scheduling, the brothers receive numerous requests from artists wanting to appear on the show. “We just try to squeeze everyone in,” Chris explained. “That’s the trick, balancing our tour schedule with theirs.”
Keeping Traditional Country Music Alive
Chris emphasized the significance of RFD-TV as a platform for traditional country artists, noting that the genre currently lacks dedicated awards and mainstream radio stations that play authentic traditional country music. “And a lot of these artists haven’t been on the radio in years. It’s an outlet for them to get to be heard and seen again. So it’s really important to us. It means a lot to have this opportunity to do this.”
He believes a new generation of artists, including Zach Top, Jake Worthington, and Charlie Crockett, is helping to bring traditional country music back into the spotlight. Younger audiences are beginning to rediscover the genre’s roots, and he anticipates that country music may eventually branch into distinct modern and traditional styles, with space for both to thrive.
Upcoming Projects and Tour
The Malpass Brothers are also keeping busy with new music, including a Gaither gospel record produced by Ben Isaacs and a live country album recorded in Pennsylvania, both slated for release next year.
The duo continues to tour extensively, performing at festivals and venues across the U.S., including the Bluegrass Island Festival, Paramount Theatre, and The Country Music Cruise 2026. Full tour dates are available at themalpassbrothers.com.
As they prepare for another season on RFD-TV, Chris stated that he really appreciates the support for their shows. “We would love to have folks come out and hope that they experience a good feel of what we do when we do traditional and hope they have a few laughs along the way as well.”
