Branson OZ Award Winners for 2003 Announced

The OZ Awards, are an annual salute to the best that Branson has to offer. The awards are based 50% on the vote of members of the Branson Academy of Arts and Entertainment and 50 % on the vote of the general public who have visited Branson and attended the shows. Voting for the 2003 Awards opened in December of 2003 and was closed April 15, 2004.

The awards were presented at an awards ceremony held at the White House Dinner Theatre on May 2, 2004. Emmy Award winner Jim Owen served as host and emcee for the ceremony with various Branson personalities serving as presenters. The following Awards were presented:

Best Morning Show – Doug Gabriel Show

Best Afternoon Show – Pierce Arrow Show

Best Evening Show – Paul Harris Show

Best Dinner Show – Dixie Stampede

Best New Show – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

Best Male Vocalist – Doug Gabriel.

Best Female Vocalist – Pam Tillis.

Best Comedian – Jarrett Daugherty (Pierce Arrow)

Best Tribute Artist, Tony Roi as Elvis Presley (Legends in Concert)

Best Male Youth Performer – Dakota Pagan (Raising America)

Best Female Youth Performer – Amanda Haffecke (The Magnificent 7)

Best Vocal Group – Pierce Arrow.

Best Guest Performance – The Oak Ridge Boys.

Best Bass Vocalist – Dan Britton (Pierce Arrow)

Best Dance Troupe – Country Tonite Dancers (Country Tonite)

Best Specialty Act – Mike Bliss (Brett Family Singers and Magnificent 7)

Best Lead Guitarist – Dino Strunk (Pierce Arrow and Dalena)

Best Bass Player – Larry Alred (Lost in the 50’s and Dalena)

Best Steel Guitarist – Terry Bethel (Paul Harris Show)

Best Banjo Player – Scooter Hill (Country Tonite)

Best Keyboardist – Bobby Blackburn (Pierce Arrow)

Best Drummer-Percussionist – Dino Phillips (John Tweed and the Paul Harris)

Best Fiddler-Violinist – Amy Dutton (Duttons)

Best Brass Player, Vince Selvidge (Doug Gabriel and Shoji Tabuchi)

Best Woodwind Player – Marvin Short-tenor saxophone (50’s at the Hop)

Best Specialty Instrumentalist, Cedric Benoit (Cajun Connection)

Best Multi-Instrumentalist – Doug Gabriel-guitar, piano, mufftar

Best Band – The Urban Cowboy Band (Mickey Gilley)

The OZ Diamond Award, to recognize a nationally known headlining performer performing in Branson who has made a significant impact on the Branson entertainment community during 2003 was awarded to Andy Williams.