Think of them as a countrified version of “The Partridge Family” — with a lot more band members.
TLC is set to unveil a new reality show featuring all 14 members of the Nashville-based Willis Clan musical family, who were showcased last year on “America’s Got Talent.”
The 12-episode (untitled) series, launching May 5, will follow the family at home and on the road — as parents Brenda and Toby Willis try to strike a balance between the group’s busy touring schedule while dealing with their 12 performing kids (eight girls and four boys ranging in age from 4 to 22).
“I want people to understand that we are a normal family like anyone else and we try to live our lives to the fullest,” says Brenda Willis. “We try to give our kids beautiful lives that embrace every part of our culture and other cultures — travel, music and the outdoors, which we love.
“We’re using our music as our platform.”
Willis, asked if her family is ready for the bright lights of reality TV, says The Willis Clan “eased” into their new TV roles.
“Eight-to-10 years ago we did one gig a year and it’s grown slowly since then,” she says. “We did the ‘Today Show’ and then ‘America’s Got Talent’ and we’ve gotten used to the [TLC] cameras being around. I think we’re ready and excited … there are so many people who come up to us and say, ‘I love your family. You’re really inspiring.’ We’re an inspiration to people and it makes us happy.”
All 12 of the Willis kids — their names all start with “J” — feature in the group’s stage performances. Most of them play instruments; others, like 4-year-old Jada, do a little dancing.
“All 12 kids are on stage at some point performing,” says Brenda, who played guitar for the band, until her later pregnancies — “number 10 or 11” — precluded her further on-stage involvement.
All of the Willis kids were/are home-schooled. “We brought a bus last year … and as we were driving home from Indianapolis last Sunday night I was teaching Jaeger to read,” says Brenda, who majored in education in college.
Dad Toby Willis produces the group’s music and oversees production of their CDs.
“I don’t know if you’d call what he does ‘management,’ but he’s heavily involved in the art, music and recording,” Brenda says. “He’ll say to the kids, ‘That’s a cool idea but it stunk the way you recorded it.’ He’s the magic behind it all.”
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