Bob Anderson Entertains with his Incredible Impressions

Bob Anderson had been a fixture of the Las Vegas entertainment scene for more than 30 years, but he was finding it difficult to find work in 2003.

The entertainment philosophy was changing — bigger shows, fewer headliners. Lounge entertainment was disappearing from the Strip, where the likes of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Shecky Greene, Alan King and the Mary Kaye Trio had helped make Vegas the Entertainment Capital.

At the urging of his pal, country singer Mickey Gilley, Anderson packed up the family and moved to Branson, Mo.

Anderson returns to Vegas to perform Friday and Saturday at the Cannery.

“There’s more entertainment in Branson than in Las Vegas,” the 58-year-old singer and impressionist says by telephone from his Branson home. “I think Vegas has about 83 showrooms and Branson has like 150.”

Overall the shows aren’t as spectacular as those in Vegas, but they are less expensive — in the $35 to $60 range, he says. You can see a variety of entertainers including Andy Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, the Oak Ridge Boys and Bill Medley. There’s even a wax museum.

“Mickey invited me to come down here because he knew things were getting tough in Vegas,” Anderson says. “He said ‘Come on down here, but don’t do no country — we got enough of that. Just do what you do.’ ”

At one time country music and cornball comedy dominated the Branson entertainment scene, but Andy Williams and others began to broaden the horizon.

“I came here at a time when they were trying to diversify,” he says. “When I came here I brought something totally different from what they’re used to.”

Anderson has been called a saloon singer who does impressions. He has about 100 in his repertoire and focuses on vintage Vegas entertainers, including the Rat Pack, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles and Bobby Darin. His cabaret act is backed by a three-piece combo.

Anderson worked at Gilley’s showroom for a couple of seasons, moved to Club Vegas and then to Club 57, where he has performed since 2006.

The Detroit-area native performs five nights a week April through December in the 150-seat supper club. The other four months are mostly spent entertaining in such places as Chicago, Palm Springs, Great Britain and Florida.

He’s been doing a lot of symphony dates with musical director Vincent Falcone of Las Vegas. They recently performed with the Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City.

“I’ve been doing a lot of big band jazz stuff and a lot of corporate dates,” Anderson says.
He’s looking forward to his homecoming in Vegas.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun for me, a lot of great music,” he says. “And I’ll catch up with a lot of friends I haven’t seen in a long time.”

While here he may be talking to venues about possible long-term engagements, although it’s hard to believe Anderson would give up the bright lights of Branson for little ol’ Vegas.

Information courtesy of Las Vegas Sun

Branson Showcases John Anderson, Bill Cosby, Bobby Vinton this Fall Season

As the season begins to change from summer to fall, the line-up of entertainment in Branson is changing as well. This Fall, several stars will grace the stages of Branson creating an exciting mix of entertainment!

John Anderson - Oak Ridge Boys Theatre

His platinum-plus album, Seminole Wind, is the story of the country music “come-back” of the decade. John has lived the larger-than-life saga of one of the most dramatic career turn-arounds! "Swingin’" was not only the Country Music Association’s 1983 song of the year; it was more recently cited by the AMOA as one of its all-time top-forty jukebox hits – right up there with Hey Jude and other perennial favorites by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, George Jones, and the Rolling Stones. As the vocal genius who won Country Music Association’s Horizon Award – John Anderson helped lay the cornerstone for the 1980’s neo-traditionalist boom. Hits which showcased Anderson’s arresting, instantly recognizable vocal style are a provocative mix of honky tonk fervor, rockabilly/outlaw gusto, and just a hint or rock and roll.

John Anderson appears on stage at The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 7 PM.

Bill Cosby - The Mansion

Humorist, author, star of stage and screen – Bill Cosby is by any standards one of the most influential people in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recording, television (Oprah Winfrey, Meet The Press) or films, commercials or education, published works (Come On People!) – Mr. Cosby has the ability to touch people’s lives!

The Mansion Entertainment and Media Center is pleased to announce a return performance of our favorite well-known comedian and five-time Grammy winner – Bill Cosby on Saturday, October 25th, at 8 PM.

Bobby Vinton and the Glenn Miller Orchestra Return to the Stage

This season - bring in the 2008 holidays with Bobby Vinton. A multi-talented musician, singer and actor, Bobby Vinton has sold more than 75 million albums during his career. In this full-stage musical gala, the “Total Entertainer” Vinton is joined by an orchestra, and family members to sing all of his most beloved hits and many more favorites. It’s a dazzling concert event.
Treat yourself to a magical night with Bobby Vinton! “Blue Velvet”, “Roses are Red”, and “Mr. Lonely” are just a few of the songs that have Billboard Magazine calling Bobby the all-time most successful love singer of the “rock era”.

You’ll be enjoying two shows in one – Bobby Vinton along with the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra. The most popular and sought after big band tours the world for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all times.

The Bobby Vinton Show and The Glenn Miller Orchestra perform at The Mansion from November 2nd through December 7th, 2008.

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News