The Platters and Michelle Innskeep are the celebrity judges for the Friday, Aug. 27 performance of the hit one-hour late night contest Doug Gabriel’s Branson Idol at 11 p.m. at the Legends Family Theatre in Branson where singers from Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri will compete.
“The World Famous Platters are the guest judges and Michelle Innskeep of Hank Williams Revisited is the rotating judge for this Friday’s contest,” said Doug Gabriel, creator, producer and director of the show. “Last week’s winner was Maci Wainwright of Oklahoma City who sang I’m Gonna Take That Mountain. This week’s contestants are Sarah Diviney of Grapevine, Texas; Jessica Whitney-Buist of Collins, Mo.; Shannon Cage of Muskogee, Okla.; Julie Rockwell of Catoosa, Okla.; and Randal Barton of Mesquite, Texas.”
Wainwright won a prize package which included $100 cash and guest appearances around Branson. She will return to Branson Idol later in the year to compete in semi-finals along with Amanda Reddick of St. Louis, Trish Cardona of Hillsboro, Mo., Aimee Flanders of Lebanon, Mo., Gregory Manis of High Ridge, Mo., Paul Williams of Bloomsdale, Mo., Jay Stack of Sullivan, Mo., Carrie Joy Andreas of Edwardsville, Ill., Trish Muenks of Effingham, Ill., Justin Temme of Okmulgee, Okla., Cassie Hobson of Briston, Okla., Bill Baker of Tahlequah, Okla., Amy Hargrove of Tulsa, Okla., Andrew Riley of Dallas, Texas, Angie Flanagan of Rockwall, Texas, Payton Kane of Dodson, Texas, Kristin Major and Kazzie Shae Broyles from Arlington, Texas and Debra Osborn of Burleson, Texas, as semi-finalists.
“Each week five outstanding singers perform a variety of music. They were selected from more than 500 who auditioned last winter in person or by packet. In the close, exciting competitions, judges narrow it down to two contestants and then the audience selects the winner. They are competing for an array of prizes, a personal appearance on the Doug Gabriel Show Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and on KRZK’s Grand Country Saturday Night at 11 p.m., a chance to return for semi-finals and then an opportunity to compete in the finals for the $5,000 grand prize to be awarded on Oct. 22,” said Doug.
The show is hosted by Doug’s wife Cheryl Gabriel and Chance Havens. The entertainer VIP balcony section of the show is sponsored this week by The Rails.
Youth Life, a non-profit organization which offers unconditional friendship for youth, assists and part of the proceeds from each show is donated to the group. Youth Life’s unconditional friendship for youth provides positive alternatives to local youth through weekly clubs, small group Bible studies, sports, activities and trips. The Youth Life staff builds relationships with the students and earns the right to share the gospel and then introduces them to a local church of their choice for discipleship.
Call 417-334-0335 for information, show schedules and reservations.