U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree coming to Branson

The nation’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree provided by the National Park Service will again stop in Branson on its way to be lit in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. See the tree at 3 p.m. on Nov. 23 in front of the Sight & Sound Theatre, which is currently performing Miracle of Christmas.

Mayor Raeanne Presley will greet the tree, and there will be entertainment by Yakov Smirnoff, the cast of the Circle B Supper Show, New South of the Grand Jubilee Show, Doug Gabriel, the Haygoods and the Highway 76 Trombones. Also, actors and animals from Sight & Sound’s “Miracle of Christmas” will be on hand, according to producer Bill Lennon.

Each year, a tree is provided from a national forest for the honor. This is an 85-foot blue spruce from Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near Alpine. Arizona. The tree will be decorated with 10,000 handmade ornaments.

Hot Winter Fun in Branson Heats Up!

Regardless of the season there are always lots of special and exciting things to do in Branson, Missouri and that’s what Branson’s Hot Winter Fun is all about. Even in January, when a lot of Branson’s shows and some attractions and activities that are weather dependent are closed there is always shows to see, loads of fun to be had and things to do, and memories to be made.

The majority of Branson’s shopping, major attractions, museums, movies, restaurants and a broad choice of lodging are open. If there’s one thing that doesn’t miss a beat during winter, or any other season, it’s the fabulous shopping that Branson is noted for. With the number and variety of stores in Branson there is a shopping experience to meet just about every shopping need or desire.

Branson’s premier shopping – attraction location, Branson Landing and its 100 plus shopping and restaurant venues are all open and offer a variety of shopping and dining conveniently located in one location. In addition, weather permitting The Landing’s spectacular free $7.5 million synchronized water, fire, and music show is amazing to see.

Branson’s other major malls, Tanger Outlet, Factory Merchants, Imax Shopping Complex and The Shoppes at Branson Meadows are all open. When the rest of the specialty shopping that Branson has to offer such as those available in historic downtown Branson are factored in, Branson just might be the perfect illustration of the place where a person can truly “Shop till they drop.”

The Grand Country Complex offers an indoor water park and miniature golf course and live shows including the Buck Trent, Grand Jubilee, and the Comedy Jamboree shows. Where else but Branson, MO can a person experience the ferociousness of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Museum and the daintiness of thousands of White Butterflies at the unique “White Flight” spectacular in the Butterfly Palace?

Branson has a museum for just about every interest. Their size and exhibits are as diverse as the “Titanic - World's Largest Museum Attraction,” a huge one half scale replication of the Titanic dedicated completely to the memory of it, its crew and passengers, to the “The World’s Largest Toy Museum.”

Branson’s museums also include “The Veteran’s Memorial Museum,” dedicated to America’s Armed Forces; “The Hollywood Wax Museum” an action packed tribute to Hollywood’s stars and movies; “The Roy Rogers Museum” celebrating the “King of the Cowboys” and the lessons of a bygone era; “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” featuring unusual and unique exhibits from all over the world and housed in a building, Ripley’s says, is one of the most photographed in the world.

The month of January features two very special events at Branson Attractions. “White Flight” is finishing out a limited engagement at the Butterfly Palace, through Jan. 15. It features a blizzard of thousands of white butterflies flying in a rain forest lit with thousands of lights, and music that combine in a unique one of a kind spectacular.

On January 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the “Titanic - World's Largest Museum Attraction” will be presenting its Third Annual Ice Sculpturing Event. The competition features some of the world’s most accomplished ice sculptors as they create fantastic creations out of 250 pound blocks of ice. The event is free and is held at the bow of the Titanic located at the intersection of Gretna Road and State Highway 76 in the heart of Branson’s strip.

In keeping with Branson’s long standing tradition of honoring America’s Veterans, the signing of the Vietnam Peace Accord will be remembered on January 28. A special program will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Golden Corral to mark the day in 1973 when one of Amerioca’s most controversial wars came to an end. Please contact Barbara Linderer of the Branson Veteran’s Task Force for additional information on this even at 417-337-8387.

The Branson IMAX Discovery Theatre offers a full selection of IMAX Adventure films, shown in the giant IMAX format on its giant six story high IMAX Screen with 22,000 watts of digital surround sound. In addition to showing the latest Hollywood feature films in its three state of the art Elite Cinema theatres the IMAX also shows selected on the IMAX screen at selected times each day. The Branson Meadows Cinema also offers 11 screens showing the latest feature films.

The opportunities for outdoor activities from hiking, golfing, kayaking, fishing, boat riding, and even a dinner cruise on the Branson Landing Princess are, although weather dependent, boundless. Just a simple walk along the boardwalk at Branson Landing beside Lake Taneycomo with your family and the opportunity see a Bald Eagle in Flight will be unique and just might provide that special memory that could last a life time.

Information courtesy of The Branson Courier

Branson Shows Ready to Shine in 2009

Legends in Concert has announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with GEP Inc., owner of Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater, to become its headline show 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. 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 Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater boasts more than 900 seats.

Legends will perform two shows daily, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. except Wednesdays.

At the Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre, Bill Medley, Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of the Righteous Brothers, will appear in concert with rockers, Paul Revere and the Raiders.

The shows are scheduled for selected dates from April through October 2009.

Andy Williams said, “I have always been a fan of these guys and now I get to see them every day at my theater. This is a great thing for Branson.”

Medley, along with longtime Righteous Brothers partner Bobby Hatfield, created “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” a song which has been touted as the most-played tune in radio history.

Other chart-toppers include “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration,” “Rock and Roll Heaven,” “Ebb Tide” and “Unchained Melody.”

Teaming with Jennifer Warnes, Medley recorded the mega-hit “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

Medley said, “We love Branson so much that we’ve bought homes here. The fans are great. And how could it get any better than appearing at Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre. It’s going to be a fun 2009.”

Often cited as the comedy princes of rock n’ roll, Paul Revere and the Raiders, are best known for their smash hits “Kicks,” “Hungry,” “Good Thing” and their blockbuster “Indian Reservation.”

Fans around the world have dubbed them as one of their favorite live, onstage performance groups.

Bill Haley’s Original Comets have been rocking the world since the early 1950s when they produced never-to-be-forgotten hits such as “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Rock Around the Clock,” and “See You Later Alligator.”

Here is a current listing of 2009 shows and attractions and opening dates according to the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Web site.

•50’s at the Hop opens Jan. 1.

•’57 Heaven Car Museum opens Jan. 1.

•Acrobats of China opens March 12.

•Amazing Pets opens Jan. 1.

•Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre opens April 21.

•Baldknobbers opens Feb. 13.

•Bill Haley’s Original Comets opens April 21.

•Branson Landing Cruises Lake Princess opens Jan. 16.

•Branson Landing Lake Queen Sightseeing opens March 13.

•Branson Scenic Railway opens March 9.

•Buck Trent opens Jan. 4.

•Butterfly Palace opens Jan. 1.

•Cassandre’ Voice of an Angel opens March 16.

•Circle B Chuckwagon opens March 5.

•Clay Cooper Music Express opens March 7.

•Comedy Jamboree opens Jan. 1.

•Crossties Bluegrass and Gospel opens Feb. 3.

•Dinosaur Museum opens Jan. 1.

•Dixie Stampede opens March 4.

•Friday Late Night Country USA opens Jan. 30.

•Grand Jubilee opens Jan. 12.

•Hamner Barber Variety Show opens Feb. 12.

•Haunted House opens Jan. 1.

•Haygoods opens March 3.

•Hollywood Wax Museum opens Jan. 1.

•Hughes Brothers opens Feb. 4.

•Imax Entertainment Complex opens Jan. 1.

•Jim Stafford opens Feb. 5.

•Keith Red Allen opens March 17.

•Kirby Van Burch opens March 13.

•Legends in Concert opens Feb. 12.

•Liverpool Legends opens March 10.

•Lomascola’s Million Dollar Piano Show opens March 10.

•Magnificent 7 opens March 9.

•Moe Bandy opens March 19.

•News Country opens Jan. 22.

•Noah! The Musical opens March 20.

•Ozark Mountain Jubilee opens Feb. 15.

•Paul Harris opens March 5.

•Pierce Arrow opens Jan. 1.

•Presley’s Country Jubilee opens March 13.

•Redhead Express opens March 5.

•Red Hot & Blue! opens March 15.

•Ride The Ducks opens March 7.

•Righteous’ Brothers Bill Medley & Paul Revere and the Raiders opens April 21.

•Ripley’s Believe It or Not opens Jan. 1.

•Roy Rogers Jr. Show opens Feb. 26.

•Roy Rogers Museum opens Jan. 8.

•Showboat Branson Belle opens March 20.

•SIX Show opens Feb. 3.

•Strait Country opens Feb. 3.

•Sunday Gospel Jubilee opens Feb. 8.

•Titanic Museum opens Jan. 1.

•Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience opens March 5.

•Veterans Memorial Museum opens Jan. 1.

•World’s Largest Toy Museum opens Jan. 1.



Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Grand Jubilee's Quartet, "New South," Releases Christmas CD

Grand Country Square, Branson, Mo., announced today that Grand Jubilee’s Quartet, New South, has released their first Christmas CD, “Christmas Country Style.” It is their third CD and follows the popular Country CD, “Dream On” and most recent “Heaven Bound” featuring popular Gospel songs.

Produced by Mike Patrick and Michael W. Davis, “Christmas Country Style” features ten traditional and contemporary Christmas classics sung by the Grand Jubilee quartet, New South. Tracks include “Christmas Country Style,” “Santa Are You Coming To Atlanta,” “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” “Walking In A Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (On A Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train),” “Christmas Medley: Go Tell It on The Mountain, Amen, Children Go Where I Send Thee,” “An Old Fashioned Christmas,” “White Christmas,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and “Oh Holy Night.”

New South members include tenor, Scott Leven, bass, Mark McCauley, baritone, Jason Pritchett and lead, Trey Wilson.

New South is accompanied by Grand Country Square’s Grand Band, featuring Larry Allred on Bass Guitar, Rob Blackwood on Drums, Michael W. Davis on Piano/Keyboard, Matt Hanshaw on Lead and Acoustic Guitar, Wayne Massengale on Fiddle and Acoustic Guitar and Danny Yancey on Banjo, Steel and Acoustic Guitar. To order the new Christmas CD, please call 417-335-2484.

New South and the Grand Band perform in the Grand Jubilee show and can be seen Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Grand Country Music Hall at Grand Country Square.
Grand Country Music Hall offers three live shows daily, a late night Friday show and two shows on Sunday.

The Grand Country Square, located in the heart of Branson on the 76 Strip is the home of: Grand Country Inn, Grand Country Indoor Waterpark, Grand Country Buffet, Grand Country Music Hall, Grand Country Market, Grand Country Indoor Mini Golf, Papa Grands Pizza, Glenn’s Frozen Custard and the Worlds Largest Banjo.

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Branson's Grand Country Offers Exciting Mix of Shows

Steve Vrana said he loves a good laugh.

“I like the comedy,” the Wahoo, Neb., resident said as he waited for the second half of the Comedy Jamboree at Grand Country in Branson to begin.

“The ‘Hee Haw’ part was my favorite,” he said of a segment of the show that paid tribute to the comedy of Cornfield County, U.S.A. “It’s really good, funny comedy."

“I thought it would be for old fogies, but it’s not,” his wife, Raleen, added.

That’s what emcee and producer Mike Patrick likes to hear.

“I love it. It’s just infectious,” Patrick said, sitting in his backstage office after a performance. “We are in a business that has instant gratification because there are people applauding. I tell all my employees, ‘You’re not a musician, you’re not an entertainer, you are in the people business. First and foremost and not anything else.’”

A 20-plus-year Branson entertainment veteran, Patrick produces Comedy Jamboree and Grand Jubilee, and has a hand in productions at the theater such as the Buck Trent Show, Amazing Pets, Sunday Gospel Jubilee, Ozark Mountain Jubilee and Branson Country U.S.A. — a live, late-night radio show staged at Grand Country.

He said he takes great pride in the creative writing, musical talent, great costumes and technical production value his shows are known for, but sometimes it’s the audience that keeps the crowds coming back.

Comedy Jamboree

“Laughter is good medicine,” Patrick contends.

“There is some corny stuff in Comedy Jamboree,” Patrick said, “but, we try to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to do some corn now, so play along with us and have a good time.’”

Comedy is only part of the experience.

A cast of musicians, singers, dancers and Branson’s Piano Player of the Year, Tracy Heaston, keep the audience singing along, while the “Hee Haw” montage, a Dr. Phil talk-show parody and some “reptile dysfunction” humor draw consistent laughs, Patrick said.

Grand Jubilee

For his musical variety show, Grand Jubilee, Patrick assembled a talented cast of players.
“I go out and hire very talented people, and I write the shows around them,” he said. “I want people to come and be wowed.”

One of the talented people Patrick relies on is Jamie Haage, aka Jim Dandy. A veteran Branson performer and the 2001 Branson Comedian of the Year, Haage helps Patrick host the Grand Jubilee, interjects a little comedy and even adds his musical talents to the mix.

“He’s so talented,” Patrick said. “I mean, that guy is just one of the most talented people in Branson.”

At one point in the show, Patrick and Haage team up to re-create a classic moment from “The Carol Burnett Show,” featuring Haage in drag as entertainer Charo’s mom, and moments later he wows the crowd by playing six different instruments during a single song.

Add in the four-part harmonies of New South, vocalists Jackie Brown and Todd Bradshaw, and the talents of Grand Country’s house band, The Grand Band, and it’s a show sure to please.
Joan Boutwell, a 75-year-old regular Branson visitor, had nothing but praise for the fast-paced show.

“I love it,” she said after the performance. “We saw the comedy show this afternoon and decided to come back tonight. There is so much going on you really need to see it twice.”

That’s the kind of excitement about his shows that Mike Patrick hopes to generate in his audiences.

“There are always so many things that you want to do,” Patrick said after the show. “The biggest challenge I have putting my show together is getting them to come in at just two hours. I don’t what to cut anything.”

Information courtesy of The Joplin Globe

Branson's Hot Winter Fun Big Show Big Success

About 900 music lovers braved cold winter temperatures Tuesday night in search of Hot Winter Fun.

Almost 20 Branson acts joined forces for about a three-hour show at the Jim Stafford Theatre. The event has become an annual centerpiece of Hot Winter Fun, a key offseason marketing effort for the Branson-Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Branson meaning of offseason has changed during the Big Show’s 14-year run, according to host Jim Stafford. Stafford has hosted all but one of the 14 installments. Prior to the beginning of Hot Winter Fun almost a decade-and-a-half ago, most Branson shows went dark during winter months. During one of his early offseasons in Branson, Stafford drove past a local theater and noticed a parking lot full of cars. His vision: If local theaters are open, visitors will come.

Stafford’s been proven mostly right. While winter tourism numbers don’t approach peak season highs, more and more Branson attractions have adopted the year-round approach.

The Big Show takes a lot of volunteer effort to pull off. Jeannie Horton, general manager at Legends In Concert, has served as volunteer Big Show producer for several years. Horton started working on Tuesday’s show in November. She said it takes a great number of contacts to pull together a show involving so many Branson headliners.

Tuesday’s bill included show performers from Grand Jubilee, Comedy Jamboree, Legends In Concert, A Tribute to John Denver, Bob Nelson, Grand Old Gospel Hour, Up Close and Personal, 14 Karat Country, Rico J’s Hot Hits Experience, Clay Cooper, Jim Stafford, Penny Gilley, Circle B Chuckwagon Show, Island Fire, Branson Divas, New’s Country, Isle of Dreams, Red, Hot and Blue and The Magnificent Seven.

Tuesday’s show was moved from Monday because of bad weather. Frank and Mary Schwartz of Springfield reserved tickets and called Monday to cancel their reservations because of the ice storm. They cancelled their cancellation when they learned the Big Show had been moved a night later. They’re glad they did. Both praised the show and noted the event gives music lovers an opportunity to see unfamiliar acts. The Schwartzes have “been to a bunch” of previous Big Shows, Mary said. Tuesday night, she said, “We’re getting to see a lot of new acts we haven’t seen before.”

The Branson performers who donate their time to entertain Big Show spectators do so for more than one reason. The obvious one: artists are always on the lookout for new customers. But beyond the obvious, Tuesday’s artists by and large say they believe in helping each other and they believe in Branson tourism.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Hot Winter Fun in Branson, MO

The holidays are over, and some of us could be fighting a case of the winter blues in the upcoming months. Branson's promoters say they could have the cure - a little fun!

It's a common misconception that everything is closed in Branson this time of year but there is still some "Hot Winter Fun" during the cold winter months.

Christmas and New Years have come and gone again, and the excitement of the holiday season is behind us, but that doesn't mean all the excitement in Branson is gone.

"We are growing our winter season," said Ross Summers, president of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Summers says Branson used to have shows only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Not long ago, most shows shut down from January through March.

"This is the time they take their vacations. A lot of them revamp their shows every year, put new sets in, and get new songs together," he said.

But now, more shows than ever are open during the season known as "Hot Winter Fun." A few of the theatres that remain open during the winter months include the Grand Country Music Hall, the Dutton Theatre, and the Jim Stafford Theatre.

A lot of the branson shows that are open for hot winter fun will be showcased in one big show at the Jim Stafford Theatre on Feb. 11. It will give folks a sampling of what Branson has to offer.

"It may be harder for a lot of these shows to stay closed in January and February because, as we get more and more people into town, there's revenue there," Ross said.

One big reason for more people in town is Branson's new convention center that just opened in August. Ross says the facility has dates booked into the next three or four years.

"People don't spend all their time at the convention center. They want to get out and see what's available in the local community and, obviously, Branson has more than most local communities," said Ross.

Besides all the entertainment, he encourages people to visit Branson's many museums, including Ripley's Believe it or Not, The Titanic, and the Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks, and, of course, all the places to shop and eat.

Information courtesy of KY3 News

Image courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

January & February Events in Branson, Missouri

White Flight

Through January 15, 2008

Location: The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure

Available exclusively during the holidays, White Flight will feature thousands of white butterflies fluttering like living snowflakes amid a rainforest sparking with thousands of twinkling lights. All of this while holiday music fills the soul. Simply unforgettable!This holiday journey also includes a stop in our 3-D theatre, rainforest critter center, and Emerald Forest Mirror Maze.

Second Annual Ice Carving Event

January 19, 2008

Location: The Titanic Museum

The nation’s most prestigious ice sculptors will compete on-site at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s outdoor entertainment center by the ship’s bow on Saturday, January 19, 2008. The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors will be invited to watch as each sculptor shapes 250 pounds of ice into cool visions of Titanic while putting the heat on competitors for more than $7,500 in prize money and world recognition.

Children and families interested in exploring the world of ice carving can learn the latest techniques, get handy hints and see the unique tools that our Titanic sculptures are using.

"Sweetheart Month” Celebrations with TITANIC’s Jack and Rose

February 1, 2008 - February 29, 2008

Location: The Titanic Museum

It’s Valentine’s Day every day during February on Titanic. Guests will be invited to celebrate their own personal love stories as they relive the on-screen romance between “Rose” and “Jack”, the star-crossed lovers in James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning movie, Titanic.
In the spirit of the occasion, Titanic will be awash in hearts and flowers, from the enchanted Grand Staircase to the magical gift shop where romantic, keepsake offerings can be found for sweethearts of all ages.

Hot Winter Fun Show

February 11, 2008

Times: 7pm

Location: Jim Stafford Theater

14th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show. Hot Winter Fun is heating up in Branson. This show features a wide variety of shows that are open throughout the year in Branson in one exciting night. Shows represented include Jim Stafford, Grand Jubilee, Doug Gabriel, Baldknobbers, Legends in Concert, Comedy Jamboree, Celebrate America, The White House Theatre, and others.

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Image courtesy of Titanic Museum

America's Got Talent's Jason Pritchett joins New South at Grand Jubilee Show

Grand Country Square recently added Jason Pritchett, a Top Ten Finalist on NBC’s hit show, America’s Got Talent, to their show New South. New South performs in The Grand Jubilee show, daily at 8 p.m. only at the Grand Country Square.

Pritchett is not new to Branson. He has performed in shows like Lost in the 50s, Stuck on the 70s, Echo Hollow Jubilee, 50s at the Hop and Magnificent Country. He has performed on cruise ships and most recently performed with other Top Ten Finalists at the Dutton Theatre in Branson.

“I am glad to be back in Branson and excited to be a member of Branson’s Best Quartet, New South,” Pritchett said.

“All members of New South are excited that Jason will be joining us,” Mike Patrick, Grand Jubilee producer said. “What an awesome addition!”

Singing today’s country hits, as well as quartet classics from the Oak Ridge Boys to the Eagles, The Grand Jubilee is always a hit.

The high energy and versatility of the entire cast astounds audiences. From country to gospel, and 50s to modern day, this show explodes with musical fun to satisfy any age, daily at 8 p.m.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News