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| Doug and Cheryl Gabriel with the world famous "Mufftar." |
On the morning of April 12, the Ole Seagull and his lovely bride of 43 years Lois, attended the second 2007 performance of Branson’s Doug Gabriel Morning Show at the Jim Stafford Theatre located on Branson’s famous “strip.”
If you are a Branson theatergoer that is a Doug Gabriel fan or just love the sound of a powerful strong clear voice singing songs that will touch your heart this is the show you are looking for. His singing of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and “Unchained Melody,” the playing of the “Steel Guitar Rag” on the famous “Mufftar, the duet of “When I Said ‘I Do,’” with his wife Cheryl, and the song he wrote in memory of his dad, “Well Done” are show highlights. Add his performance of playing of “Malaguena” on the acoustical guitar and you have one of the most unique and entertaining entertainment experiences available in Branson, perhaps anywhere.
In May of 2005 the Ole Seagull wrote, “From the first note to the last note, as Branson’s Doug Gabriel sings, the audience hears testimony as to why he was voted Branson’s Male Vocalist of the year five times. His powerful and sensitive voice clearly and precisely captures every note, word, and nuance of the music he sings. From gospel to contemporary, rock and roll and everything in between Doug does it all and does it well.” Based on what we saw and heard, it appears that things haven’t changed much in the last two years.
From his opening number to the finale, Doug performs a variety of songs that fully display his exceptional vocal talents and why he has won the vocalist of the year honors so many times in Branson. The Patsy Cline standard, “Sweet Dreams (Of You),” sung beautifully by Doug’s wife Cheryl, and the bands instrumental and vocal presentation of the “Man of Constant Sorrows” from “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” are two of the many featured numbers by other performers that stand out.
In addition to playing number like “Chariots of Fire” on the piano, Doug’s instrumental versatility and ability gets almost to the “amazing” level as he performs his rendition of “Malaguena” on the acoustical guitar. Quite simply, it is one of the most outstanding guitar experiences a person is likely to ever hear or see. How a person’s hands can move that fast and not hit a bad “string” is an amazing thing. Couple that with his playing of his world famous ‘‘Mufftar,’’ a guitar made out of a 1969 Thunderbird muffler, and you have an unforgettable instrumental experience.
It is not often that one will encounter a single entertainer with both exceptional vocal and instrumental ability. Doug Gabriel is such an entertainer and his show is a one of a kind Branson experience.
For further information or to purchase tickets by phone or on line, call 1-800-451-3791 or click here.
Photos by Basil Groman. Click here for more photos.