Live Music Shows are Branson's Entertainment Heart

by Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull
published in the Branson Courier: Feb 22, 2009

Who could have known back in 1959 that when the Mabe family started performing their country music variety show called the “Baldknobbers,” in a small 50 seat basement room in the Branson Community Center, the show would still be going 50 years later? Who would have thought that not only would the Baldknobbers be around 50 years later, but that that there would be another 99 or so shows of every type and description also entertaining millions of Branson guests?

If, in 1959, someone had said, “50 years from now people will be coming from all over the world to see live music shows in Branson” they would have been laughed at. Well, no one’s laughing now.

Oh sure, the millions of visitors coming to Branson come to see more than shows. They come to see the natural wonder of the Ozark Mountains, play or fish in one of our three lakes, go to Silver Dollar City to one of Branson’s many other attractions, shop or participate in the myriad of activities and things there is to see and do in and around Branson. But, let there be no doubt about it, the very heart beat of Branson’s entertainment heart started with the first beat of music from the Baldknobbers show 50 years ago.

Click here to read the rest of the story:
http://www.bransoncourier.com/issue-58/-1125..html

Branson Heats Up With 15th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show

Branson, MO – (Monday, February 2, 2009) – 2009 in Branson, Missouri, dubbed “the live music show capital of the world”, promises to be a banner year packed with a variety of celebrations by shows, attractions, and others, marking historic anniversary dates. The biggest of which is 50 years of live music shows. And kicking that off on Monday, February 9, 2009, at 7:00 pm at the Jim Stafford Theatre is Branson’s 15th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show!

If you’re looking for a chance to escape the winter blues, and finding yourself cooped up with cabin fever, getaway to Branson for the 15th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show! This upcoming Monday the Jim Stafford Theatre will be rockin’ with entertainers and you’re invited to join the fun. Tickets for Branson’s 15th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Jim Stafford Theatre directly at 417-335-8080.

Audience members will enjoy a sample from a wide variety of Branson shows in this jam-packed, star-studded event. Featured shows this year include Jim Stafford, Legends in Concert, Roy Rogers, Jr. and The High Riders, Baldknobbers, Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience, Riders of the Circle B, Hamner Barber Variety Show, New's Country, Grand Jubilee, Magnificent Variety Show, Comedy Jamboree, Cassandre’ The Voice Of An Angel, Keith "Red" Allen, 50's At The Hop, and Red Hot & Blue. Emceeing The Big Show again this year will be Branson favorite and member of the Baldknobbers Jamboree Show, Bob Leftridge.

“From 1959 to today Branson shows have helped keep the heartbeat of tourism strong and vibrant for our visitors. With over 100 shows, we offer a wide variety of musical styles, performance art, and family fun that everyone can enjoy. The Hot Winter Fun Big Show is a perfect way to take a peek at the diversity of our shows. It is also a popular annual event for our community members as well as our visitors,” says Jeannie Horton, President of The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers and Operations Manager for Legends In Concert. “Another great thing about this show is that all of the money raised goes to help market the Branson area.”

All of the entertainers donate their performances while many volunteers and local businesses help produce and market the show. Some of those include producer Jeannie Horton, the staff of the Jim Stafford Theatre, the Springfield NewsLeader, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber & CVB, and many other area businesses. The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers (The Branson Show League) sponsors the annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show.

For tickets to the 15th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show call 417-335-8080 today. Tickets are $30 plus tax and service charge for adults, $ 9.95 plus tax and service charge for children ages 7 through 12, and $ 3.37 plus tax and service charge for children 6 years old and under using a seat.

For more information about The Branson Show League visit ShowsInBranson.com. For more information about the season of Hot Winter Fun or the Branson/Lakes Area call 1-800-Branson.

Media Contacts:
Cindy Merry, 417-739-4925, tomerrys@interlinc.net
Joseph Cook jcook@orbtheatre.com 417-239-1333 ext 2410

About The League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers
The Branson Show League works to increase the success and well-being of the theatrical industry in the “Live Music Show Capital of the World”, Branson, Missouri. With over 100 live shows featuring music, comedy, magic, dancing, acrobats, theatrical plays, and more, the diversity and variety of choices of live shows make Branson a unique and fun-filled family vacation destination. The League strives to increase interest in Branson shows and show attendance, increase profitability for the Branson show community, and to promote communications among the shows as well as throughout the Branson community.

Branson MO: New Year's Eve Shows

Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus: At the New Shanghai Theatre. New Year's Eve celebration featuring traditional Chinese hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic toast, party favors, souvenirs, balloon drop, 9 p.m.-midnight Wednesday. 336-8888, 877-212-4462, http://www.acrobatsofchina.com/.



The Amazing Pets: At Grand Country Music Hall. Shows at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturday through Dec. 31. 335-2484, www.grandcountry.com

Dick Clark's American Bandstand: At its namesake theater. New Year's Eve show with Paul Revere and the Raiders and Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers featuring dinner, party favors at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. 332-1960, www.americanbandstandtheater.com.

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show: At its namesake theater. New Year's Eve and holiday shows featuring the opening show in Carriage Room, four-course dinner, main show in arena, 5:30 and 8 p.m. through Jan 3. 336-3000, 800-520-5544, www.dixiestampede.com.



50s at the Hop: At The Shoppes at Branson Meadows. Rockin' New Year's Eve party featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres, desserts, party favors, balloon drop, entertainment, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 335-5300, http://www.50satthehop.com/.

Grand Country Music Hall: At the Grand Country Square. New Year's Eve show featuring hors d'oeuvres, party favors, balloon drop, non-alcoholic toast, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 334-2484, www.grandcountry.

Hughes Brothers: At their namesake theater. Family-style New Year's Eve show featuring games, party favors, refreshments at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 800-635-3688; http://www.hughes-brothers.com/.



Jim Stafford: At his namesake theater. New Year's Eve show featuring hors d'oeuvres, party favors, keepsakes, balloon drop, non-alcoholic toast, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 335-8080, http://www.jimstafford.com/.

Kirby & Bambi VanBurch: At the Kirby VanBurch Theatre. Kirby & Bambi's Magical New Year's Eve Show featuring magic show, box dinner, party favors, balloon drop, non-alcoholic toast, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 337-7140, http://www.kirbyvanburch.com/.

Legends in Concert: At the Legends Family Theatre. New Year's Eve show featuring hot hors d'oeuvres, desserts, seasonal beverages, party favors, 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. 339-3003, http://www.legendsinconcert.com/.

The Magnificent Seven: At the White House Theatre. New Year's Eve show features dinner at 6:30 p.m., show at 9 p.m.. balloon drop, party favors, midnight toast, Wednesday. 335-2396, http://www.mag7show.com/.

Pierce Arrow: At the Pierce Arrow Theatre. New Year's Eve show features party favors, gourmet box lunch, entertainment, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 336-8742, www.piercearrowtheater.com.
Shake, Rattle & Roll: At the Owens Theatre. New Year's Eve show featuring hors d'oeuvres, party favors, entertainment with Elvis and the Superstars, 9 p.m. Wednesday. 336-2112, www.elvisinbranson.com.

Air Tran first airline to sign on at new Branson Airport

Go here to read USA Today first story on flights into Branson: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-12-10-branson-airport_N.htm#uslPageReturn

Four million lights celebrate Christmas - Silver Dollar City near Branson

by Randall Murphree for OneNewsMedia.com (e-newsletter from American Family Association)

The folks at Silver Dollar City (SDC), near Branson, Missouri, are dressed up, settled in, decked out, revved up and altogether ready for An Old Time Christmas 2008, the 21st SDC Christmas festival. A thousand decorated trees and more than four million lights bring the Ozark theme park to sparkling life day and night. What an invitation for families looking for a new Christmas treat.

USA Today, CNN Travel and Good Morning America have all cited SDC's Old Time Christmas as one of the nation's top holiday celebrations. Having been there for the last three Christmases, I'll have to agree with the secular media on this one!

What can you expect? Well, for starters, lots of lights. After dark a five-story Christmas tree in the square is the star of a special effects music and light show every 15 minutes. The tree's thousands of lights dance and shimmer to the beat of the music. And a Holiday Light Parade has eight lighted floats with 100,000 lights. Click here to read the rest of the story: http://www.onenewsnow.com/features.aspx?id=329282

Entertainment in Branson brings heavy traffic

By John La Porte (Contact)Monday, November 17, 2008

Branson, according to legend, comes from an old Native American word.

It means “bumper-to-bumper,” according to musician-comedian Jim Stafford, who is propagating said legend about the entertainment hotbed in southwest Missouri.

Another Branson staple, comedian Yakov Smirnoff, jokes about a man being arrested for speeding in Branson’s show district — and wonders how he managed to do it. Click here for the rest of the story: http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/news/2008/nov/17/entertainment-branson-brings-heavy-traffic/

Roadrunners travel to Branson

Club news



Members of the Roadrunner Club, a travel group, gather after a theatre showing in Branson, Mo. during their recent trip.
courtesy photo


Roadrunners travel across South



Under the experienced direction of Ruth and James Duncan, 50 Granger Roadrunners began their fall journey bright and early Oct. 25. Twenty newcomers were acquainted with the rules and, after a brief Sunday morning service, were off in a modern climate controlled bus with driver Alfonzo. The group had breakfast in Waco and continued to Fort Smith, Ark. and through the Ozarks.



The Roadrunners arrived in Branson Mo. in time for their first show, “Twelve Irish Tenors.” After a delicious dinner and an entertaining cook/owner, the group attended the show “Six.”



On Oct. 28 the group toured the Mt. Nut Man and Fruit Company. Afterward the Roadrunners went to the “Dalena Ditto” show. Patty Davidson and friends, who appeared with Dalena, was a very comical ventriloquist. The group traveled to Eureka Springs, where it toured the new Holy Land.



On Oct. 29, the travelers took a trip to Stone Hill Winery for a brief history followed by sampling and shopping opportunities.



The Hughes Brothers show was very entertaining. It was great to see this very family show where even the smallest offspring were featured musical artists. After lunch, the group took some free time to shop at Branson Landing and at an outlet mall.



Clay Cooper, a native Texan, performed that night. During the show, Ed and Julia Schmidt were recognized as the couple longest married.



After an event-filled three days and delicious meals, the group headed back to Taylor with an overnight stay in Bossier City, La. and a trip to the Casino. On Oct. 31, the bus atmosphere was filled with laughter, low chatter and evidence of new and renewed friendships. After a tour of the American Rose center, Libby Glass Outlet and Russell Stover’s Chocolate factory, the Roadrunners arrived home.



Members of the group from Taylor are M/M Kenneth Randig, Betty Randig, Kay Hortenstine, Gladys Mott, Phyllis Johnson, Dora Mae Farr, M/M Herman Kaase, M/M David Krueger and Marsella Schoener.



Members from Thrall are Margie Posey, Doris Kosik, Lucille Rosenthal and Carmel Newman.



Members from Hutto are M/M Ed Schmidt and Peggy Almquist.