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By Jimmy Lancaster
Jimmy has been covering the Branson "Stars" for more than 14 years and is the Entertainment Editor for the "Branson Daily News," the best source of news and information about the Branson Tri-Lakes area paper. Call 1-800- 280-3211 for Subscription information.
I was saddened to learn of the death of John Blesse, who died Sunday in Kansas City. It was about eight years ago that this community got together to raise funds for this young man's heart transplant. Blesse was an outstanding musician, singer and entertainer. He performed on Shoji Tabuchi Show on lead guitar and did vocals. He was with Shoji's show for eight years. Before joining Shoji, he worked in the band at the Roy Clark Theatre. He could sing and perform any style of music and was one of the best. We extend our sympathies to his wife, son, daughter and other members of his family. He will be missed.
Visitation is tonight at Snapp's Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Services are Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Branson. Burial will follow in the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blesse Children, c/o Great Southern Bank, 110 W, Hensley, Branson, Mo. 65616.
Mutton Hollow is going to have 100 Studebaker cars in its parking lots and around the theme park on Saturday. Be sure to go out and see them.
Already underway is the Silver Dollar City Fall Crafts Festival, which is perhaps one of my favorite festivals at Silver Dollar City.
There will be more than 75 craftsmen with such crafts as long bow and arrow making, wildlife art on leaves and feathers, copper fountains, treenware makers and many others. There will also be different styles of pioneer foods, such as a bar-b-que salad, son-of-a-gun stew, buffalo chili and Granny Curbow's Kraut'n'Ribs.
But that's not all. There are more than 400 quilts on display at the Carousel Barn from now until Sept. 24. There will also be a western hoe down at the Carousel Barn Sept. 28-Oct. 29. World champion horseshoe pitcher Alan Francis will be appearing at Silver Dollar City Sept. 15-17. Francis has appeared on ESPN and was featured in "Sports Illustrated" and "National Geographic World" magazines.
So go out and enjoy. The Festival at SDC will last until Oct. 29.
I understand that Ray Price has been gearing up his all-new show at the Gettysburg Theatre. His first show is at 8 p.m. Sept. 19. He will have a 25-piece orchestra with him with surround sound. This should be one hot show.
I also understand that the Gettysburg Theatre is gearing up two more shows which will be announced soon. Stay tuned, the Gettysburg Theater will be hopping with shows from Sept. 19 through Dec. 23.
There will be a press conference with the group Centrefire at Pure Country Cafe, at 10 a.m. Friday. The public is invited and I understand they will also be shooting a video at the press conference. No details yet on plans for Centrefire in Branson. Be sure to attend this one to find out what's going on.
I understand that Splinter and Janet Middleton are the proud parents of a baby boy. Logan Andrew Middleton was born on Aug. 31 weighing in at nine pounds, four ounces, at St. John's Hospital. He joins his sister, Chelsey Dawn Middleton, who is two years old. Congratulations, Splinter Middleton. Splinter is a featured male vocalist at the Sounds of Time Show and the Down Home Country Music Show at 76 Music Hall.
A big hit over the weekend was Cruisin' Branson Lights. The vintage and hot rod car show at Mutton Hollow was a huge success according to Dave Cushman of Mutton Hollow and will become an annual event.
I had the honor of riding or "cruising" with Bill Hines of California and his son, Michael, in their '57 Lincoln at midnight Saturday. They designed and built the Lincoln just about from the ground up. Bill has been a pioneer in the hot road and classic car industry and has been featured in several street rod and custom rodding magazines with the cars he has built over the years. To me it reminded me of a scene out of the "American Graffiti" movie. It was great to see all the kids take an interest in the cars, and some of them brought their cars and joined the parade. I was also impressed with all the locals who have their own classic cars and participated in the three day event.
Norm Grabowski who appeared on the Roy Clark Show when it first opened in 1983 brought his street rod and led the parade. Riding with him was Adele West of TV 5.
Along with all the cars at Mutton Hollow was the Box Tops and Platters concert. Boy was it a show and a half and the audiences got down with the Platters and the Box Tops. I enjoyed hearing the "Letter" and "Neon Rainbow" by the Box Tops. The Platters just brought the house down with their vocals and even did some -hits from the Coasters and other groups.
They really showed their harmonies on "My Prayer," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "The Great Pretender." I hope Mutton Hollow asks both groups back next year for some performances.
I attended the Mel Tillis Show, and he really was on a tangent that night telling joke after joke during his first half as well as singing those hits.
I especially enjoyed the second half with "How the West Was Sung." Tillis does well on "Dance a Little Sidestep" and "The Legend of the Stuttering Cowboy."
The tribute to the early settlers of the West with songs from "Paint Your Wagon" was excellent. Make sure you see this production with a good blend of dancers, the Statesiders Band and Mel Tillis and his cast.
You certainly get your money's worth of entertainment.
What a fast-paced show and a lot of fun is the Country Tonite Show at the Country Tonite Theatre. Now, in their second season, the show is so fast paced it's over before you know it. Great duet numbers were sung by Kimberly Caldwell and Jimmy Chandler. Dawn L McArthur can sing those classics, too. I especially enjoyed the western and yodeling medley of songs by David Bradley. Emcee Clay Cooper does a good job of emceeing and singing "That's My Story."
Add to this a great band and those fast paced cloggers, and it is a real blockbuster.
Just remember to take your high blood pressure pills before seeing this one. Those kids and cast can really entertain.
The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, put out a, letter stating that the Branson
Fan Fest: "A Festival for the Fans" will be March 20-23 at the Glen Campbell Goodtime Theatre for 1996. There will be four days of theater shows with March 20 at 7 p.m. and March 21-23 at 11 a.m. The outside activities for Festival for the Fans will be March 20-11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on March 21-23 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be some new events for Fan Fest to be announced soon.
The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will be featured at the big kickoff on Nov. 9 for the Branson Festival of Lights opening this year. That was just one of many announcements made at the BAFOL party at the Bobby Vinton Theater.
The entertainment and food was great. The Lennon Brothers and Gail Lennon were outstanding as well as the hilarious comedy Yakov Smirnoff. Kirby VanBurch introduced two singers on his show - Ryan Davenport and Nedgra Culp. Culp has joined the VanBurch and Wellford Show at the -Shenandoah South Theatre.
It was a delightful evening, and I am looking forward to even a bigger and better Festival of Lights this year.
If there is one show that could really be exciting, including the breakfast, it has to be the Brandi Chapman Show at the Route 66 Diner. Usually breakfast can be a bore, but not this breakfast. Chris Cakes or Tod White tosses the pancakes right to your plate. Sometimes his son will deliver the hotcakes by roller blade. His son wasn't there this week.
Then comes the show. Brandi does the classics, the gospel songs, and even her band does a rap or even opera song. Seeing that is something else. Along with her is Anthony Zappa who does Comedy, magic and sings. Her band is really talented with Stacey Gravatte of Time Machine Band and 76 Music Hall fame and Whit Privitte of the Osmonds and Brandi's husband, Jeff Barker, on drums and the young keyboard player, 15-year-old B. J. Kyle of Young Branson stars.
This is one show that you must see. Brandi has a dynamic voice and has won numerous awards, too. I am glad to see she finally has a show here in Branson. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. The show starts at 9 a.m. Get ready for a real eye opener.
Jennifer Wilson is appearing this morning on the Ralph Emery Morning Show at 8 a.m. Hurry and tune in to the Nashville Network and see her perform on the show. Jennifer, who has the Jennifer in the Morning Show at the Americana Theatre, will also be taping a show at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. I understand she will be talking with show host Katie Hass and might even do a little bit of her dancing.
Jennifer also promises to talk about Branson and Ozark Mountain Christmas. She has been named as honorary spokesperson of Branson Area Festival of Lights for this season. BAFOL kicks off Ozark Mountain Christmas.
I understand that Tony Orlando was on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday night, He helped Letterman by singing "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" around the dumb newspaper ads. Then he was scheduled to appear on the Nashville Network's Crook and Chase Show last night. Tony Orlando will be back at his theater tonight in Branson.
Boy, these Branson entertainers are sure making the talk show circuit lately.
Get ready for a lot of activities going on this week for Hot Fun in the Summertime which is already underway. But the biggies are coming up this weekend.
Keep in mind 1964 - The Tribute, which is a tribute show to the Beatles, is performing until July 29 at 8 p.m. at the Glen Campbell Theatre. There is also a vintage car show going on everyday at Mutton Hollow. Thursday, there is a half price Bungee Jump. There are dive in movies on Thursday night at White Water. Also on Thursday there are dance lessons at Mutton Hollow with Tom and Jaynee at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Jennifer Wilson will be doing a lot of '60s music at the Americana Theatre.
Friday, there is a look-a-like contest at the Osmond Theatre around 4:30 p.m. 'Men the Street Dance which is like a block party and street dance at the Lakefront area in downtown Branson from 9 p.m. to midnight. There will be several bands. The Legends will show up, Nedgra Culp, Elvis impersonators and many surprise guests will appear. There will even be giveaways too - all for $1.
Saturday is a '60s Fashion Show at the Pump Boys and Dinettes Theatre at 3 p.m. The fashion show is $2 and all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of the Branson Tri-Lakes area.
Then comes the biggie which is Fireworks called "Branson Blast." Fireworks, 1995 at Moonshine Beach on Table Rock Lake which is being done by Alan Osmond Productions. Shuttle service begins at 7:15 p.m. from the Welk Resort Center and the Branson Belle Parking Lots. Entertainment starts at 8 p.m. and skydivers start their descent at 8:30 p.m. Sometime after 10:30 p.m. comes the fireworks. Free tickets to Branson Blast are available at Ripleys Believe It or Not!, Osmond Family Theatre, Ride the Ducks, Thunder Road, KRZK Radio, KOLR 10, Glen Campbell Theatre and the Tracks.
There are all sorts of activities going on everywhere not to mention all the shows, theme parks and attractions - so let's get out and enjoy it.
I was shocked over the Wayne Osmond, the funny comedian and vocalist of the Osmond Brothers, having, brain surgery for removal of a malignant tumor. The surgery was 12 hours at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina. The prognosis and recovery look real good according to doctors. Wayne should be back on stage at the Osmond Family Theatre later this year. Our prayers and our thoughts are with you, Wayne, for a speedy recovery.
The Osmonds return to the stage on Aug. 1.
Branson USA OnLine Editors Note: The Dixie Stampede is Branson's newest attraction. It is located on W. Highway 76- Reservations may be made by calling 417-336-3000.
Dolly Parton's latest attraction The Dixie Stampede is well underway. The review of the show will be appearing in Hot Spots this Saturday. Be sure to look for it. Incidentally, in yesterday's story on Dolly Parton and the Stampede, it stated the building is 110 sq. ft. The building actually is 110,000 square feet not 110 sq. ft. And believe me, this attraction is really big.
Dolly went okay but I thought the question were too general and the conference was cut off. The press conferences around here are starting to be as funny as a Bill Clinton news conference - a lot of talk and no action. Personally, I thought the press in Parton's press conference asked insignificant things such as specific songs, and even one reporter asked for a kiss - how trite. In fact very little was asked at the press conference about the Dixie Stampede.
Also Dolly was Whisked out of there like a gold shipment to Fort Knox. She might have mixed and mingled with area dignitaries and entertainers, but she did not really talk to the people.
It was a wonderful afternoon at Silver Dollar City with June Lockhart and, of course, that lovable collie, Lassie. First of all Lassie did some of her tricks, and June told some of her stories about Lassie and filming with Lassie. Bob Weatherwax, whose family has trained Lassie -eight generations of them over the years, was on hand giving Lassie the signals, and he told about the generations of Lassie.
Then came the Top Dogs show. This is one great show with all kinds of magic, lots of dogs and even dogs catching Frisbees. Then comes the grand finale when the dogs team up for an obstacle course all over the Opera House. The kids and the families really get into this show. Make sure you see it.
After the show, Lassie, Weatherwax and Lassie were on hand in Reunion Hall for pictures and a question and answer session. I hope the City does this again and, of course, for a good cause the area humane society animal shelters.
On Thursday, there was a big power outage and theaters had to make do. I understand Charley Pride brought out his acoustical instruments and kept his show going as did other shows.
Anita Bryant gave an unplugged second half of her show accompanied by grand piano and acoustic guitar. A fan told me that she sang her heart out and after the show ended stayed in the lobby for an hour to sign autographs and talk with her fans.
Also, Ragtime Lil and Banjo Banjo show went acoustical and used flashlights. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have in a time of crisis.
The preliminaries were held last week at the Osmond Theatre for the Legends look alike. The finals will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28, as part of Hot Fun in the Summertime. The finals will be open to the public, and there is no charge.
Here is a list of the winners so far and who they look like:
David Lafferty as Charlie Daniels; Danny Davis as Alan Jackson; Bob Robbins as Willie Nelson; Leny Davis as Willie Nelson; Harry Hoffert as Kenny Rogers, Ron Allgood as Garth Brooks; Mona Leah Miller as Minnie Pearl; Janice Moss as Loretta Lynn; and E. L. Bames as Elvis Presley.
Last week I talked about shows taking vacations at the same time. I am now getting reports from hotel managers that several shows who have announced shows are canceling them if they have a small crowd. This is not right, as one desk clerk pointed out to me. They need to stay open. The Baldknobbers, when they first started, played to a dozen people. People expect you to be open when they see the show listed on your schedule or brochure. So, let's try to keep to the schedule. If we cancel shows on a whim, then we will not have tourists back in this area at the same time next year. Incidentally, the desk clerk said that not only are they hurting the theater business, but they are hurting the motel and resort business as well.
One of the shows that Steve Willoughby and Janet Ellis are doing on KRZK Radio is Branson Backstage. I believe this airs on Thursday nights just before show time between 7 and 8 p.m. They have done the Welk Show, the Baldknobbers, Patsy! and the Osmonds in the past. Be sure to tune in for this show sometime.
Of course you can hear yours truly rant and rave with Steve and Janet on Fridays at 8:10 a.m. No telling what kind of tricks those two may pull on me - not to mention the loaded questions.
I also appear at 7:30 a.m. on Friday on the Rise and Shine Show. Adele West does the interview and sometimes there are some surprise questions on this show, too.
Another radio deejay interviews a bunch of people during the week and that is Bob Mitchell at KHOZ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, today, that is, he will have Clay Cooper and Dawn L McArthur from the Country Tonite Show. On Thursday, Bob's guest will be Gary Presley from Presleys' Jubilee. Then, on Friday, Jo Ann Castle of the Welk Theater will be on hand.
Get ready! The 32 horses are raring to go at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and the opener starts at 4:30 p.m. with the pre-show and show at 5:30 p.m. I understand some of the shows are sold out. especially those from now until July 17. The Stampede is open daily, according to publicist Leigh Branson. Shows will be added as needed.
Incidentally, the box office will open sometime today. Make sure you go by and see what is available seat-wise for this fantastic dinner show featuring horses and music as well as food and fun.
Incidentally, a hearty welcome to Branson Dixie Stampede, Dolly Parton, her executives and the 250-member staff of this $14.5 million attraction. I look forward to seeing the show on Monday.
Mutton Hollow will stay open daily through the summer and fall. I talked with Vicki Dixon and she said that the theme park has reconsidered. She said when they announced the move to close Sundays they got a lot of phone calls from tourists, locals and their employees about closing.
"They - the tourists and locals expect you to be open, and we have decided to do that," said Dixon, who is publicist and marketing director for Mutton Hollow Craft and Entertainment Theme Park.
Kenny Rogers returns to the Grand Palace for the first time this year. Show times are at 8 p.m. Thursdays and at 3 and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Get ready for some great music.
Also, a big Branson welcome goes to Lassie and her TV mom for a special fund raiser at Silver Dollar City from July 13 to 15. Lockhart and Lassie will be on hand to do autographs during those days to raise funds for area humane societies.
Now, having said a little about Mutton Hollow, it comes to mind what happened at the Daron Norwood/Ricky Van Shelton Concert at the Grand Palace on Sunday night.
Several people - including Chris Myer (who has the Music Capital Inn), some tourists and a person visiting from Harrison, Ark. - remarked that many of the theaters have been closed for the last two weeks.
The lady visiting from Harrison, Ark., was upset that Tony Orlando's and Shoji Tabuchi's theaters were closed for a two-week period practically at the same time. (For that matter the Will Rogers Theatre and the Glen Campbell Theatre are closed for July and August, with the exception of the show "1964 The Tribute").
My point is that we need to stay open during the summer or the tourists will not be back next year. One tourist told someone because such-and-such a performer was not performing at that time, they would not come back to Branson. This business of having several major theaters close down at the same time is not good for the area.
Buck Trent normally is off for a few days with his show on the Fourth of July, but he wound up taking a few more days off. The reason is that he had gall bladder surgery on Friday. He is fine now, and he is back on stage at the Buck Trent Breakfast Show at the Pump Boys and Dinettes Theatre. Go by and see his show and give him an "Oh Yeah!" from all of us.
Magician and illusionist Kirby VanBurch of the VanBurch and Wellford Show at the Shenandoah South Theatre also had a medical scare on Friday night during his show. According to his publicist, Elizabeth Caldwell, Kirby doubled over in pain before the final curtain call. He was rushed to Skaggs Community Health Center and was treated and released for stomach flu. He is back on stage performing along with comedian Philip Wellford.
The Preliminaries for the Legends Look a like contest will be this Saturday at the Osmond Family Theatre at 10 a.m. The finals are on July 28. Entry forms for the Look a like contest can be picked up at the Osmond Family Theatre. When the finals are held, the Legends stars will be judging. This is all part of the Hot Fun in the Summertime week toward the end of July.
Also, I had Jay White listed as the Neil Diamond performer. Neil really is Bobby Palermo. And Palermo does an-,excellent job of portraying Neil Diamond in the Legends Show at the Osmond Family Theatre. Be sure to see their show.
Once again I have had people call me about certain area entertainers not doing autographs. One of them said they drove 700 miles to see this person's show but was not granted an autograph.
Let me tell you something. This is one of the main principles that have made Branson a big success and that is mingling and signing autographs with the fans.
I am ashamed that certain stars won't do this. Thank goodness for people like Box Car Willie, Moe Bandy and Jim Stafford and our family shows such as Baldknobbers, Presleys, Braschlers, Welk's and others that sign autographs and meet and greet the people not only after the show but during intermission, too.
We need to continue to do autographs or we will lose even more tourists.
The concert was still going on at the Grand Palace when I left Ricky Van Shelton's show at 11:15 p.m. It was a great show and I believe that Ricky did just about every hit he recorded and then some. He even took requests. His band is a lot better than when I saw him two years ago.
Two years ago he had just hired a new band with Tommy Hannum at the head of it - and he still is. Tommy is one of those who can play just about any instrument around and is an excellent dobro and steel guitar player.
Daron Norwood is excellent. He can really sing those ballads and up-tempo songs. He was jumping on stage and even in the audience. No wonder he broke his leg nearly a year ago. I especially liked his new ballads "My Girl Friday" and the hit "Mama Cried." I hope Ron Jett, who is theater manager of the Grand Palace, books this young man back at the Palace next year.
At one time, there were to be three different Chinese acrobatic shows in Branson at the same time. Now there might not be even one!
I understand the Cirque Incredible is closed for now at the White River Theater Complex. There may be a second acrobatic troupe at Cristy Lane called the Hangzhou Troupe possibly to start on July 1. But even that show is uncertain.
And now, the Dragon show, slated to open on July 4, at the Will Rogers Theater has been canceled.
It was learned from a press release that East-West Best Inc. contacted the Branson Theater Corp., who owns the Will Rogers Theater, canceling the engagement at the theater. The government of China declined Visa requests due to other troops of Chinese acrobats being in the Branson market. The government of China did, however, grand Visas for them to be in the United States.
The Will Rogers Theater management and staff apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. Coming attractions at the Will Rogers Theater this year include Dino's Piano Extravaganza.
Stay tuned to see if there will be any Chinese acrobats coming to Branson. Talk about a Chinese fire drill.
I enjoyed attending the Blackwood Family Show at the Thunderbird Theater. The show is totally different. Ron Blackwood is working behind the scenes of the show doing management and the like while Donna and R. W. Jr. are performing along with their daughter and a bass singer. They do everything from the traditional Blackwood songs and southern gospel music to even a medley of country songs that the Blackwood Family has worked with over the years such as Elvis Presley and the Gatlins.
Donna Blackwood is hilarious, and there are some really good jokes and banter between her and R. W. Jr. There were times that I was in stitches from laughing so hard at her jokes. The show is fast paced and quite enjoyable. In fact, the day that I went they had a guest celebrity and his family enjoying the show-newspaper columnist Cal Thomas.
As the statement goes in the Patsy Cline show at the Grand Palace - "Oh, Lord, help me get through this one and I'll get through the next one myself."
Well, some prayers are being answered about the "Patsy!" production. "Patsy!" has been signed by Big League Theatricals Inc. of New York to a fall 1996 through spring 1997 tour. Big League does Broadway and off-Broadway tours. So now the production will go late next year all over the country.
Who knows, maybe we will hear the best musical will be Patsy! for a Tony Award from Broadway. Congratulations.
I also went back to the Patsy Show last Friday and the show is tight now and moves faster. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the music again of Patsy Cline - and I hope to see the show some more this year.
There is a special original one person show by Marilyn Harper at the Fall Creek Steakhouse at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 22. The play is titled "The Four Comers Cafe" and Harper plays a variety of roles during this one person show. Make sure you see it. Call 336-5060 for reservations.
I attended the Don Williams Show mixed in with the funny stuff of Skiles and Henderson. The audience thought it was just a riot.
Don Williams was fantastic and did 90 minutes without stopping and with standing ovations. I am glad that he opened with my favorite Don Williams song - "Old Coyote Town." When it comes to ballads,. Don Williams is the absolute best at them.
And we are also glad that Charley Pride is back in town for the next few weeks.
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