Branson welcomes Tanya Tucker for two performances with Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers

Tanya Tucker is joining Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers during their live performances on Thursday, June 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson.The shows will be taped before a live audience to create an all-new “Feed The Children” fundraising special that will air nationally on cable networks and television stations in major cities throughout the United States later this summer. A special discounted admission rate for these two “Feed The Children” show tapings is available at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office or by calling 800-734-5515 or 417-337-7469.

Joe Sullivan, executive producer and general manager of Welk-Sullivan Productions and The Welk Resort Theatre, made the Gatlins-Tucker announcement today. “This is a great opportunity to again put Branson in the national spotlight on television while aiding a very worthwhile cause,” Sullivan said.”We encourage area folks to be a part of the audience and show the world how much fun we have here in Branson.The combination of The Gatlin Brothers and Tanya Tucker will create a heavy demand for tickets, so reservations should be made early.”

Tucker is among the all-time best-selling female vocalists in country music.She burst on the country music scene when she was 13-years-old with her Top-10 hit “Delta Dawn.”She has ten chart-topping hits including “What’s Your Mama’s Name,” “Would You Lay With Me (In A Field of Stone), ” and “Strong Enough To Bend.” Her distinctive, sophisticated country rock is evident on over 30 albums including four Platinum and 12 Gold albums.Tucker has been named Academy of Country Music (ACM) Top New Female Vocalist, Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, ACM Video of the Year, Country Music Television’s Female Video Artist of the Year and has received multiple Grammy nominations.

The two “Feed The Children” live performances are part of the final week of Spring Shows at the Welk Resort Theatre for the Grammy Award-winning brothers — Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin.2005 marks their 5^th year in Branson with their first-ever spring schedule from April 13 through June 3.The Gatlins will return to Branson later this year for their fall shows with Pam Tillis in September and October; and Christmas shows in November and December with The Lennon Sisters.

Feed The Children, a Christian, international relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, was co-founded by Larry and Frances Jones.In 25 years it has grown into one of the world’s largest private organiza- tions dedicated to feeding hungry people.Last year Feed The Children supplemented over 500,000 meals a day worldwide.They shipped 61 million pounds of food and 22 million pounds of other essentials to children and families in all 50 states and in 62 foreign countries.