SNELLVILLE – The sign outside Bill Rhodes Bakery reads, "A Family Tradition," so it's only fitting the owners of the Scenic Highway shop will appear on "Family Feud" next week.
The Williams Family will appear on the popular game show at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 on the CW network.
The journey to television screens started more than a year ago when Karen Williams shot an email to the producers of the show who were looking for families to be on the program. Two weeks later the Williams Family – Becky Evans, Karen and Tom Williams, Taylor Gagnon and John Evans – were at the Atlanta Civic Center auditioning for the show.
"They just wanted to see how you interacted with each other and your enthusiasm," Williams said.
But the family had a secret weapon. John Evans created a Lego replica of the family on the set complete with a mini Steve Harvey, the host of the show. It was a prop that helped the family stand out.
Apparently it worked. Months went by and Williams received an email with a list of dates the family could pick to have another audition to be on the show. She picked April 20. Then a clothes shopping marathon began and the Williams Family started "Family Feud Nights" during which they would practice answering questions and play the Family Feud board game. Two nights before they were to head to the studio, they had a dress rehearsal.
The Williams Family arrived back at the Atlanta Civic Center again at 8 a.m. and took part in mock games with music and lights on the famous set. Then they waited to see if their name to be called. Each game takes two hours to film. After nine-and-a-half hours, the Williams Family was called.
So how did they do? You'll have tune in to find out because they're not allowed to say.
"All I'll say is it's hard when you get up on stage," Williams said. "It's not like sitting in your recliner at home."
"It did bring our family together," said Becky Evans. "We got together to practice twice a week, when we'd otherwise be busy."
For more information on the bakery visit billrhodesbakery.com.