Saturday, November 29, 2008

Branson Airport Signs Carrier

as reported by Joy Robertson on OzarksFirst.com (KOLR-10 TV and KSFX TV) (Branson, MO) -- This time next year, your holiday plans may include travel in and out of a brand new airport.It's no secret that construction is underway on the Branson airport, but what type of air service might fly in and out is the best kept secret anywhere. Until now... Click on this link for the rest of the story: http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=88021

Branson MO 11-5 thru 11-14-08

From Dixie and Frank's RV Travels Blog:



Another show we went to see was The Osmond's with a tribute to Broadway. We couldn't take pictures, but here is the playbill that was on the stage before the show.





Then the weather turned really, really cold. So we put on all our winter weather clothes and headed to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights, and the shows. It was so cold we didn't walk around too much, but we did stay to see the lighting of the Christmas Tree. It is all digital lights and changes colors to music. All the trees and buildings in the park have lights on them. Over 6 million lights! They have a light parade twice a night, so we had to see that, too. Then we headed for the car and turned on the heat full blast! It got down in the 30's at night and one night we had to unhook our water hose so it wouldn't freeze, below 30 that night.

While we were at Silver Dollar City we saw the musical production of Dickens Christmas Carol. It was as good as plays on Broadway. We were very impressed.
Click below to read the rest and see the other photos:


http://dixieandfranksrvtravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/branson-mo-11-5-thru-14-08.html

Friday, November 28, 2008

Christmas Bells in Branson

by Randall Murphree - Guest Columnist for OneNewsNow.com

Branson, Missouri, continues to build its reputation as the nation's destination for wholesome, safe family fun. Right now, there are more Christmas extravaganzas than you can jingle a bell at – music, variety shows, dramas, illusionists, ventriloquists, museums and other attractions. And it's not too late for an end-of-year getaway. With 100 shows, more theater seats than Broadway and 19,000 hotel rooms, they'll have room at the inn. Click on this link for the rest of the story http://www.onenewsnow.com/features.aspx?id=328052

Branson, MO 10-29 thru 11-14-08

Nice blog from Dixie & Frank's RV Travels

We arrived in Branson and met up with our friends, Don and Alice. We always have so much fun in Branson. Click on the link below to read the rest of the story

http://dixieandfranksrvtravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/branson-mo-10-29-thru-11-14-08.html

Monday, November 24, 2008

Christmas Branson Style

Christmas Branson Style
An Ozark Mountain Christmas draws thousands to Branson
By Dave Woods
dwoods@joplinglobe.com





When Mark and Susan Lasiter retired and moved to Branson from Southern California, they knew they had landed in a very special place.


“Riverside was getting too crowded, too dangerous and too expensive, so we moved to the most beautiful city in America,” Susan said while standing on the Branson Landing admiring the holiday decorations with her family. “I think it’s great that the Christmas season starts so early here. I love it.”


Sunny Lasiter, Susan’s daughter-in-law, poked a little fun at her in-laws.


“They are Christmas-a-holics,” she laughed. “The only reason they moved here is for the Christmas shows.

“In Branson,” Susan explained, “we have five seasons: spring, summer, winter, fall ... and Christmas.”

The Lasiters are not alone in their love of all things Christmas. Tens of thousands of Americans will make the Yuletide trip to Branson to do some shopping, catch up with family and friends and take in a few Christmas shows.

Through the end of December, most Branson theaters haul out the holly, fill up the stockings, jingle some bells and add more than a few traditional Christmas carols to their performances to welcome tourists to the community’s signature “Ozark Mountain Christmas.”

Here are a few Branson theaters and attractions serving up some holiday cheer: Click on this link for the rest of the story: http://www.joplinglobe.com/best_of_branson/local_story_325112856.html?start:int=0

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Returns to Branson's Legends In Concert Theater

Legends in Concert is pleased to announce the return of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition at Legends in Concert / Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, MO. The 2nd Annual Branson Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will take place on July 2nd, 2008 at 7:00PM. The Branson contest is one of only a select few tribute competitions sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. around the world.

"Legends has featured remarkably talented Elvis tribute artists in our shows worldwide for 25 years and we are thrilled to once again host a preliminary round in Branson for this exciting contest," said Brian Brigner, Chief Operating Officer of On Stage entertainment, producers of Legends in Concert. "The contest last year at our theater was a smashing success and this year’s promises to be even bigger and better, as we crown the tribute artist that best represents the legacy of Elvis Presley and proudly send them to Memphis to represent this venue.”

The winner of the Legends Theater contest in Branson will receive a $1,000 prize and a spot in The 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest finals presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in Memphis during the annual Elvis Week, August 9-17. Judges will look for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence, and overall tribute to Elvis in naming the "2008 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year." The 2nd Annual Branson Elvis Tribute ArtistÃ’ Contest winner will also be offered the opportunity to perform live at the Legends in Concert 8pm show on July 3rd, 2008.

Contest tickets are $20.00 for preferred seating and $15 for general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased at the Legends in Concert box office or by calling 800-374-SHOW.

Contestant Information:
Bev Turner, Legends in Concert (417) 339-3003 ext.221

Media Contact Information
Jeannie Horton, Legends in Concert (417) 339-3003 ext. 246


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"© 2008 Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ELVIS, ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST and LOGO are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved."
About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit
www.elvis.com EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol CKXE.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Christmas in Branson

Christmas in Branson
By John W. Kennedy November 4, 2008

It may be 75 degrees outside and more than three weeks before Thanksgiving, but it’s Christmas in Branson, Mo. Shows in the musical entertainment capital switch to the season the first Saturday in November, and this year that happened on Nov. 1.

Saturday night I went to see the opening show of the Lennon Sisters and Tony Orlando at the Welk Theater. As former television performers, the Lennons and Orlando all have stage presence and know how to put on a commanding performance. When a group has performed regularly before 30 million people — as the Lennon Sisters did on TV on Saturday nights — they have what it takes to please an audience.

“Da lovely Lennon Sisters” were the most famous regulars on The Lawrence Welk Show on ABC from 1955-68. They later sang each week on TV with Andy Williams and Jimmy Durante. Although Dee Dee and Peggy are now retired, Kathy and Janet sing nightly in Branson, with youngest sister Mimi. The women still have beautiful harmonies.

Tony Orlando also had his own weekly variety series during the mid-1970s with backup singers Dawn. The trio had three number one hits: Knock Three Times, He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) and, most famously, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree — the second most popular recorded song ever, after only Yesterday by the Beatles.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Legends In Concert has new home starting in 2009

Celebrated tribute artist production ‘Legends in Concert’ announced today that they have signed a multi-year, multi-dimensional agreement with GEP, Inc., the owner of the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater, becoming its resident headline entertainment attraction commencing in 2009. "Legends has enjoyed tremendous success in the Branson market since 1996,” said Jeannie Horton, General Manager for Legends in Concert. “This new theater will allow the introduction of many exciting enhancements to our production that both our loyal Legends fans and new guests are certain to enjoy. We look forward to an even brighter future as our show moves to this fabulous new entertainment facility, a true state-of-the-art venue.”

The ultimate Branson rock and roll complex, the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater boasts over 900 seats, yet its innovative design creates an intimate concert space with great sight lines to the stage, cushy comfortable seats with generous leg room, a dance floor, spectacular projection screens and fascinating memorabilia recalling the historic roots of rock ‘n’ roll and country music.

“Legends” will perform daily at the Theater at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, except Wednesdays. The specific performer line-up and the announcement of the morning show for 2009, will be released by the company in the coming weeks.

Current “Legends” performances will continue as scheduled through December 31, 2008 at The Legends Family Theater, including its traditional holiday themed version and New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, both long-time Branson favorites.

"It has been our privilege and pleasure to showcase such enormously talented tribute artists and provide family-oriented, value-priced, high quality live musical entertainment in Branson for the past 13 years,” said Brian Brigner, chief operating officer for "Legends" producer On Stage Entertainment. “We are honored to join forces with Glenn Patch, GEP’s founder, visionary entrepreneur and revered Branson developer, and we are looking forward to working closely with his team to mutually benefit our respective business interests and shared commitment to the Branson marketplace”.

“Many years ago, when we conceived the idea of building and operating this complex, we knew it was essential to recruit a truly world class live music production show, to be the signature entertainment for our guests,” said Glenn Patch. “I am delighted Legends in Concert has selected our theater and warmly welcome them to their new Branson home; it’s the perfect fit and will complete the experience for our patrons that we envisioned. We look forward to a fruitful long-term partnership with this outstanding attraction.”

“As the developer of Branson’s premium recreation facilities including the country's only Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater and Grill, a 30,000 square foot museum featuring one of the finest collections of pristine American-made automobiles from the year 1957 and an extensive collection of period memorabilia, we knew we had to have the very best live entertainment for our visitors,” said Tim Mahoney, President of GEP, Inc. “We are very pleased that Legends in Concert has selected our facility for their future; given how complimentary we know their special brand of entertainment is to all our activities in this market, we are committed to their continued success in Branson.”

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About Legends in Concert Celebrating its 25th year, “Legends in Concert” is a live musical celebration featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists. The product is owned and operated by Las Vegas based On Stage Entertainment, Inc. Widely recognized in the entertainment industry as the original celebrity tribute show, “Legends in Concert” has not only performed throughout the United States, but the show has traveled to 15 countries on five continents, entertaining more than 15 million fans. It currently operates numerous fixed-based, touring, limited-term and private engagements of "Legends" throughout the world. In addition to Las Vegas, "Legends" is presented year-round in numerous cities including Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Branson, Mo.; Atlantic City, N.J. and Auburn (Seattle), Wash.

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About GEP, Inc. GEP, Inc., is a Titusville, Florida based family wealth holding company, founded by Glenn E. Patch, a successful media entrepreneur. In addition to the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand theater, GEP, Inc. owns 57 Heaven Museum, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill, The Communities at Branson Creek, Branson Creek Golf Club, John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, and Harbor Village in Bigfork, MT.
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