Month: April 2004

Eureka Springs, AR — The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the nation’s largest and most popular outdoor drama, opens for the 2004 season on April 30, 2004, at 8:30 PM. For over 35 years, more than 7 million visitors from virtually every country in the world have visited The Great Passion Play.

With the advent of Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, there has been an increased interest in The Great Passion Play from media throughout the United States. Joe Gies, CEO of The Great Passion Play, comments, “We’ve had reporters from the Boston Globe, the New Jersey Star Ledger, St.

Louis Post-Dispatch, FOX-TV in Little Rock, Springfield News Leader, and more contact us about our Passion Play. It’s been interesting explaining that The Great Passion Play actually tells the complete story of the Passion Week, from Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

The other obvious difference is that we’re not inside — our drama is set under the Ozark skies with a cast of hundreds of authentically costumed actors and exotic animals performing live for our visitors.” The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is performed in a 4,100-seat outdoor amphitheater. Gies continues, “We’ve been asked what affect The Passion of The Christ movie has had on our production. We hope that it creates even more interest in us and for our part, it has helped inspire us…just like we hope to inspire our visitors.”

Another added feature at The Great Passion Play in 2004 is the Beyond Words exhibit featuring the artwork of contemporary Christian artist, Ron DiCianni. The Great Passion Play experience also includes the New Holy Land Tour featuring one of the world’s only full-sized fully furnished reproductions of Moses’ Tabernacle in the Wilderness. The two-hour tour is one of the fastest growing daytime attractions in Arkansas and features over 30 authentic reproductions of Old and New Testament exhibits.

Other on-site attractions include the Christ of the Ozarks Memorial Statue, the Sacred Arts Center, the Bible Museum, the Parables at the Potter, and a 10-foot section of the Berlin Wall.

The Great Passion Play Performance is open from April 30 through October 30, 2004. Shows are at 8:30 PM (7:30 PM after Labor Day). Call the box office for exact schedules. Also, in 2004 The Great Passion Play complex will feature again in November and December the interactive live nativity experience “Beyond Dickens”.

Roy Clark, Mickey Gilley, Pam Tillis, Andy Williams and Yakov Smirnoff head the list of nominees in 30 categories for the first OZ Awards ceremony, honoring Branson’s entertainment community to be held at the White House Dinner Theater, hosted by the legendary Jim Owen, on Sunday, May 2, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The five are nominated for the OZ Diamond Award designed to recognize a nationally known headlining performer performing in Branson who has made a significant impact on the Branson entertainment community during 2003, according to George Burrell, founder of the Branson Academy of Arts and Entertainment and co-sponsor along with the White House Dinner Theatre.

The awards show will feature an array of Branson celebrities and entertainment from the White House Theatre as the results of the voting by the public and members of the Academy are announced, Burrell said.

In the morning show category nominees are the Brett Family, Doug Gabriel, Jim Owen, Yakov Smirnoff and the Yearys. Afternoon show nominees are Delene, Down Home Country, Dusty Rogers/Roy Rogers Theatre, Pierce Arrow and Yakov Smirnoff. Nominees in the evening show are Broadway: A Star Spangled Celebration, Legends In Concert, Mickey Gilley, Paul Harris and Pam Tillis.

New show for 2003 nominees are Broadway, Paul Harris, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Stuck on the ’70s and Pam Tillis. In the short program category nominees are Eli Barsi’s Western Opry, Cedric Benoit and the Cajun Connection, Allen Edwards, Frederick/Waltzing Waters and the Warnok Family. Dinner show candidates are Dixie Stampede, Magnificent 7, Showboat Branson Belle, Shepherd of the Hills and Sons of the Pioneers.

In guest performance voters chose from Roy Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Neal McCoy, the Oak Ridge Boys and the Rockettes. Male vocalist nominees are Clay Cooper/Paul Harris Show, Doug Gabriel, Mickey Gilley, John Tweed and Andy Williams. Female vocalist candidates are Eli Barsi, Needra Culp/Lost in the Fifties/Stuck on the ’70s, Delene, Dalena Ditto and Pam Tillis. Comedian nominees are Mike Bliss/Brett Family/Magnificent 7, Paul Harris, Jarrett Daugherty/Pierce Arrow, Jim Owen and Joey Riley/Mickey Gilley.

Candidates in the tribute artist(s) category for any performer whose act is a portrayal through specific costuming and/or makeup of a famous or recognizable entertainer or person, living or deceased, fictitious or real in 2003 are the Blues Brothers/Legends in Concert, Steve Fairchild/Garth Brooks/Legends In Concert, David Faria/Elvis Presley/Lost in the Fifties/Stuck on the ’70s, Tom Mullican/Red Skelton-A Tribute and Tony Roi/Elvis Presley/Legends in Concert.

The youth performer category specified young entertainers who were ages 1 to 18 last year. Male youth performer candidates are Garon Brett/The Brett Family Singers, Josh Gabriel/drums/Doug Gabriel Show, Aaron Haygood/The Haygoods, Dakota Pagan/Raising America and Shaffer Stafford/drums/fiddle/Jim Stafford Show while female youth performer names include Brianna Brett/Brett Family, Jenna Crispin/Country Tonite, Jessica Dutton/The Duttons, Amanda Haffecke/Magnificent 7 and Hannah Rogers/Yakov/Raising America.

In the vocal group category nominees are the Brett Family Singers, the Hughes Brothers, the Lennon Brothers and Gail Lennon, Pierce Arrow and the Platters. Bass vocalist nominees are Dan Britton/Pierce Arrow, Bob Leftridge/The Baldknobbers, Mark McCauley/The Grand Jubilee, Cecil Stringer/The Braschler Music Show and Denny Yeary/The Yearys. Dance troupe candidates are Broadway, Country Tonite, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Elena and Vadim Serykh/Showboat Branson Belle and Spirit of the Dance.

The specialty act division is for those acts within another show, including but not limited to comedians, magic acts, ventriloquists, animal acts and acrobatics and selections include Jim Barber/Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox, Mike Bliss/The Brett Family/Magnificent 7, Patty Davidson/Dalena Ditto, Todd Oliver and His Talking Dogs/Showboat Belle and Slim Chance/David Hirschi/Yakov. Lead guitarist nominees are Barry Bales/Country Tonite/Brett Family, Waylon Herron/Lost in the Fifties, Gary Meyers/Mickey Gilley, Mickey Springsteen/Pam Tillis and Dino Strunk/Pierce Arrow. Bass player nominees are Larry Alred/Lost in the Fifties, Kevin Brashear/Mickey Gilley Show, Jeff Donachy/Magnificent 7, JJ Jones/Moe Bandy and Marty Wilhite/Doug Gabriel /Showboat Belle.

For steel guitarist candidates are Terry Bethel/Paul Harris Show, Dean Holman/Down Home Country/Moe Bandy, Steve Matlock/Pam Tillis, Joey Riley/Mickey Gilley and Danny Yancey/The Grand Jubilee. Banjo player nominees are Jonathan Dutton/The Duttons, Scooter Hill/Country Tonite, Dean Holman/Down Home Country/Moe Bandy, Buck Trent and Danny Yancey/The Grand Jubilee. For keyboardist (any keyboard instrument including, but not limited to, acoustic or electronic piano, electronic, reed or pipe organ, synthesizer, harpsichord, calliope, digital sequencer or workstation in any show). A winner will be announced from Bobby Blackburn/Pierce Arrow/Brett Family, Darrell Croy/Magnificent 7, Mickey Gilley, Bobby Hamilton/Stuck on the 70’s and R.P. Harrell/Country Tonite.

Drummer/percussionist nominees are Rosa Avila/Andy Williams, Robby Blackwood/Lost in the Fifties/Buck Trent, Doug Huffman/Pierce Arrow, Michael Jackson/Magnificent 7 and Dino Phillips/John Tweed Show/Paul Harris Show. Fiddler/violinist (on the traditional 4-string fiddle/violin or non-traditional 5 or 6-string fiddle/violin in any show) contestants are Jennie Lynn Collier/The Baldknobbers, Amy Dutton/The Duttons, Bruce Hoffman/Buck Trent/Down Home Country, Wayne Massengale/Country Tonite and Shoji Tabuchi.

Brass player (any of the instruments of the traditional brass family including but not limited to trumpet, coronet, flugelhorn, French horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba or sousaphone in any show, but does not include woodwind instruments such as the saxophone though they may be made of brass.) nominees are Robert Fisher/trumpet/Mickey Gilley Show, Randy Fisher/trombone/The Mickey Gilley Show, Dennis Parsons/trombone/Showboat Branson Belle, Vince Selvidge/Doug Gabriel/ Shoji Tabuchi and Sunny Spencer/Sons of the Pioneers. Woodwind player (any of the traditional woodwind family including but not limited to metal or wood flute, piccolo, recorder, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, oboe or bassoon) nominees are Jay Brandon/tenor and baritone saxophones/Mickey Gilley Show, Norman Carlson/tenor saxophone/Mickey Gilley Show, Scott Ford/tenor saxophone/Lost in the Fifties, Marvin Short/tenor sax/50’s at the Hop, Sunny Spencer/clarinet/tenor saxophone/Sons of the Pioneers.

The specialty instrumentalist category is for any instrument that does not fall into an earlier category and is an integral part of his/her performance, including such instruments as the dobro, mandolin, lute, bouzouki, harmonica, melodica, viola, cello, keyboard accordion, button (or Cajun style) accordion, concertina, washboard, washtub bass, harp, hammered dulcimer or mountain dulcimer in any show.

Nominees are Cedric Benoit/Cajun accordion/Cajun Connection, Doug Gabriel/Mufftar/Doug Gabriel Show, Michael Hermsmeyer/dobro/From Patsy to Present/Eli Barsi, Greg Presley/harmonica/The Presleys and “Washboard” Leo Thomas/Cajun Connection.

Multi-instrumentalist category candidates are Doug Gabriel/guitar, piano, mufftar/The Doug Gabriel Show, Michael T. Hermsmeyer/steel, fiddle, guitar/From Patsy to Present/Eli Barsi’s Opry, Dean Holman/steel, dobro, banjo/Down Home Country/Moe Bandy Show, Bruce Hoffman/fiddle, guitar, steel/Buck Trent Show/Down Home Country, Marvin Short/tenor sax, guitar, clarinet/50’s at the Hop. Best band nominees are Andy Williams Orchestra, Pierce Arrow Band, Paul Harris Band, Stuck on the 70’s Band and the Urban Cowboy Band/Mickey Gilley.

Selection of the five finalists in each category began last September with the formation of the Branson Academy of Arts and Entertainment. Entertainers, theater owners and managers, and local businesspersons joined the new Academy and began the arduous process of defining categories, establishing criteria and reviewing credentials of individual talent. Next a credentials committee presented a slate of nominees for each category who possessed the defined credentials. This list was presented to the general membership, and in a closed ballot the members elected those entertainers who became the five finalists in each category.

Since December voting was open to the general public by written ballot and online at the Academy website at www.bransonacademy.org. These public votes count 50% toward selecting the winners in each category. In addition, the Academy members are being provided a private ballot on which they will vote for their favorites. These votes will also count 50% toward the final winner. Voting closed April 15. Tabulations will be kept secret until the announcements on May. 2. Tickets may be purchased by calling the theater at (417) 335-2396.

Branson, MO – Jim Stafford, comedian and Branson theater owner, is kicking off his 15th season in Branson with some exciting changes to his show. Not only is he debuting six brand new numbers, but he is also adding new changes and hilarious laughs over the next few months! “This season, you’ll be surprised to see me play three guitars at once,” said Jim. “And, wait ’til you see my kids! Sheaffer, just turned 11, and G.G., now seven, are helping me take family fun to an all-new level.”

Both Shea and G.G. play the piano, and join Jim’s harmonica on twin pianos for “Memory.” Shea also stars in a new rock ‘n roll piano number in which he makes his singing debut. Jim says, “Shea puts the B in Boogie and, if you can believe it, he’s now playing six instruments – fiddle, drums, piano, slide guitar, glockenspiel, and bagpipes. I’ve had to bring out my ‘One-Man Band’ (Jim plays drums, bass, and guitar at the same time) just to keep up with him!”

In addition to the new numbers in the show, the Jim Stafford Theatre has installed new projectors with 20,000 lumens for their back screen, giving them creative opportunities that no other theatre in Branson has. Jim’s 3-D show is sure to jump at you now like never before!

“We’ve got a show packed full of fun just waiting for you,” said Jim, “And believe me, we’ve tried doing it before without you and it just lays there.”

The Jim Stafford Show is located at the Jim Stafford Theatre and plays Monday-Saturday at 7:30 PM. There is also a 3:00 PM matinee on Wednesdays. Christmas Shows start on November 1, 2004, and continue through December 15, 2004. On December 27, regular season shows will start again at 7:30 PM and continue through December 30, 2004. There is a special show on New Year’s Eve at 9:00 PM to celebrate the New Year.

Call 417-335-8080 or visit www.jimstafford.com for schedules and reservations.

British Pop/Rock Band Delirious? To Play The Grand Palace In Branson April 18

Based on information in a Silver Dollar City press release and web site as edited and modified by the author.

What would a festival be without food? Festival foods from around the world will be featured throughout Silver Dollar City during the Festival. In addition, “World’s Fare,” a pavilion of international specialties will feature international entrees such as Jamaican Ribs, coconut shrimp, Irish lamb stew, Greek pies, and Mexican fajitas. What’s a meal without desert, how about a selection of international deserts including dark chocolate French chambray cake or Italian tiramisu with layers of chocolate, espresso and mascarpone cheese?

World-Fest activities are in addition to shows, crafts, and park activitites.Silver Dollar City, located near Branson, Missouri, is open Wednesdays through Sundays during World-Fest, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

For ticket information or purchase call 1-800-451-3791 or, for on-line information and service through Branson.Com, click here.

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre has announced that the legendary music group, the SONS OF THE PIONEERS will be performing on the historic homestead for the 2004 season.

Founded by the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers, in 1934, the Pioneers remain the longest continuous performing group of all time, and their unique harmonies and style have made them the standard by which all other western groups are measured.

A “Living Legend,” the SONS OF THE PIONEERS have become an American institution, known the world over for their own special vocal sound, and arrangements of their classic western songs.The Pioneers continue on under the leadership of Trail Boss – DALE WARREN, who will celebrate his 52nd year as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers throughout the 2004 season, holding the record as the longest participating member in the history of the group.

The group will be performing in the brand new Pavilion Theatre which is set to open May 17^th.It is a natural home for the Pioneers and their unique chuckwagon dinner shows.Shows will begin at 5pm and include a hearty chuckwagon meal featuring barbecue beef, roasted chicken, red beans, cold slaw, baked apples, a hot, roasted ear of corn right off the grill, cornbread, and campfire cobbler, plus drinks.

“We’re very pleased to have the Sons of the Pioneers join our family,” Gary Snadon, owner of The Shepherd of the Hills said.”Their Western flair ties in perfectly with what we offer.I think the two shows will compliment each other very nicely.”

Indeed both shows do have a very rich history.The Shepherd of the Hills, originally the bestselling book by author Harold Bell Wright, was first reenacted on the lawn of Old Matt’s Cabin in the early 1920’s.After various performances across the country, including an off-Broadway production in New York, the show found its permanent home in 1960 on the homestead where it was written.Since then, millions of visitors have delighted in the action-packed drama.

The Pioneers, who have made their home in Branson since 1983, have over three thousand compositions to their credit, featuring the trademark harmonies and haunting lyrics of their vocal and instrumental styling, known as the “Pioneer Sound.”They have been inducted into the Western Music Association, National Cowboy and Singing Cowboy Halls of Fame, and their music has been inducted into the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME.They have been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Pioneers have appeared in ninety-eight movies with such stars as John Wayne, Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, Charles Starret, Walt Disney and forty-five films with Roy Rogers.The SONS OF THE PIONEERS have been designated as “National Treasures” by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, and two of their most requested songs, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water” have been placed into the National Archives, with Cool Water being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1986.

Famous for their western classics, the Pioneers have added a few surprises to their already extensive repertoire.This multi-talented group, consisting of DALE WARREN, LUTHER NALLIE, SUNNY SPENCER, GARY LEMASTER, KEN LATTIMORE, RANDY RUDD, and PRESTON ELDRIDGE, creates twenty-eight instrumental combinations lending an exciting “lift” to the western swing sound, country songs, gospel and Dixieland.

But, not to be left out is the comedy of Branson’s number one sidekick and funny man, HARGUS MARCEL.Hargus, who after a long stint with the Pine Mountain Jamboree in Eureka Springs, brought his zany, down-home comedy style to Branson, where he has delighted audiences with both the Moe Bandy Show and Country Tonite.Now he’s fulfilling his life-long dream “to be a cowboy,” which is sure to make for the funniest trails fans have traveled with the Pioneers’ since their days with lovable sidekick, Gabby Hayes.

Following the Pioneers’ 5:00 pm show in the Pavilion Theatre, The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama will begin at 8:30pm in the outdoor theatre. For tickets and information on both of these legendary shows, call 1-800-653-6288.

In 2004, for the very first time, Branson’s state-of-the-art stages will offer more than 100 shows. Much to the approval of the estimated seven million visitors who converge each year on the Ozark Mountain town of little more than 6,000 residents, Branson’s stars can be spotted each morning, afternoon and well into the evening in almost every type of theatrical performance imaginable. Pop, gospel, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, western, Cajun, swing, classical, big band, Motown and Broadway have become as important to Branson visitors as its country and comedy roots. “Day or night, our little town of Branson, Missouri, just may hold more stars than anywhere else in the universe,” says Dennis Mabe, singer, guitarist and member of the founding family of Branson’s first music show, the Baldknobbers Jamboree.

“At the moment, we can name 110 shows at 46 venues,” said Ross Summers, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce executive vice president. “That’s about a dozen more shows than last year. Almost every week we hear of a new show or an announcement in the works.

In 2004, returning favorites Tony Orlando and Ray Stevens and new arrivals Ann-Margret and Les Brown, Jr., join Branson marquee names Andy Williams, Roy Clark, Mickey Gilley, Jim Stafford, Shoji Tabuchi, Moe Bandy, the Osmonds, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Pam Tillis, Mel Tillis, Sons of the Pioneers, the Lennon Sisters, Yakov Smirnoff, the Oak Ridge Boys, Buck Trent, and more in Branson’s stage lights. Swelling the throng are dancers, illusionists, acclaimed instrumentalists, and a host of tribute artists from the Rat Pack to Red Skelton. Branson’s original shows, Presleys’ Country Jubilee and Baldknobbers Jamboree, now include up to four generations of the founding families and continue to draw sell-out crowds. And weekend concerts by visiting artists like Tony Bennett, the Beach Boys, the Moody Blues, Loretta Lynn, Jeff Foxworthy, and Merle Haggard bring even more variety to the Branson entertainment mix on a regular basis.

It’s an eclectic town that shows many faces; most all are family-oriented and approachable. It’s not unusual to see Andy Williams on the golf course, or to encounter comedic performer Jim Stafford in a restaurant (he knows he’s been spotted when he hears someone in a nearby booth singing, “I don’t like spiders and snakes …”).

Branson’s 45-year-old live entertainment scene had been enjoyed by many thousands of visitors before it was “discovered” by the CBS television program 60 Minutes in 1991. Since that time, family entertainment has continued to explode here (city fathers report a 58-percent increase in new construction this past January over 2003) with a huge influx of performers, exciting additions to the area’s famed amusement parks and increased focus on the Ozarks’ limitless outdoor activities.

Each spring, Branson kicks into high gear in April when Branson Fest packs a sampling of the town’s shows into a five-day festival. “We go every year,” says Bob Langbein of Mountain Home, Arkansas. “I can’t wait to see what’s new for this year, and I love getting to meet the stars.” Bob says he has made plans to attend this year’s event, April 6-10 at the Welk Resort in Branson.

April is also when the internationally-awarded Silver Dollar City theme park opens for the season with the first of its four seasonal festivals, World-Fest, bringing in hundreds of performers from around the world. Groups include a steel drum performance band from Trinidad, precision flag-throwers from Italy, musicians from Australia and acrobats from Africa. Throughout the year the park offers visitors a chance to spend a day in the 1880s Ozarks with traditional food, festivals, music, costumes and atmosphere, as well as themed rides.

Other popular Branson attractions include Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, complete with six tons of real live buffalo leading the stampede nightly; the $40 million Celebration City theme park offering a massive wooden roller coaster, a variety of rides and games, and a spectacular laser and light show; the vintage 1940s Branson Scenic Railway featuring fully-restored passenger cars that recreate the classic travel experience of another time; the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, displaying personal and professional memorabilia from the Roy Rogers family; and turn-of-the-century paddlewheeler Showboat Branson Belle, providing a two hour lake excursion with a sit-down meal and the Steppin’ Out Show starring ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his talking dog, Irving.

The surrounding Ozark Mountains provide the gorgeous backdrop for all this spectacular entertainment and are an ideal playground for outdoor enthusiasts, as well. Visitors can hike, bike or ride horseback through the wooded hills; three pristine lakes offer water activities galore with easy access to world-class fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, cruises, houseboats, jet-skiing and even “duck” rides.

Integrating inspired course design by such luminaries as Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus with rugged Ozarks topography, Branson’s golf courses provide a challenging golf experience set amidst sweeping mountain vistas and scenic hillside terrain. The area boasts eight 18-hole courses and two 9-hole executive courses. Branson Creek Golf Club has been named #1 course in Missouri and in the Top 100 nationwide by Golf Digest.

With three outlet malls featuring over 200 outlet stores, Branson offers name-brand merchandise as well as a remarkable assortment of heirloom crafts, designer clothing and handmade items. Branson’s historic downtown shopping district is a step into the past with flower-lined streets, quaint shops, flea markets and old-fashioned hospitality.

“People of all ages come to Branson because there is truly something fun for everyone,” says Steve Presley of Presleys’ Country Jubilee, first show on the famous Branson Strip (Highway 76). “…the theme parks, the lake activities, the wooded hills, the shopping, the golf, the endless variety of first-rate entertainment. Branson’s fun! And folks really appreciate the old-fashioned Ozarks hospitality.”

“Many visitors come several times a year, as each season brings something new to enjoy,” says one of the most popular of Branson stars, famed Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff. “Besides, if you see five shows every time you come, you’ll have to visit more than 20 times just to see them all once!”