Over the last 30+ years I traveled to Branson once or twice a year for work and then sometimes again for a pleasure. I haven’t been for some time, however we have an upcoming wedding in Missouri, so I’ve decided to check it out. Whenever I’m in town, I make a point to take in as many shows as possible. Some have labeled me an “entertainment junky.”
Branson is far from “junk”. My musician friends all agree some of the most talented players are in Branson. My husband says its “country”. After 30 years, he has softened that label a bit especially after he saw the Platters, a Beatles Review and the Red Skelton show.
On a recent trip, I talked up SIX, a group of brothers singing a cappella and sounding like a whole band. As we entered the theatre that night, I was hoping I hadn’t built up their expectations too much. When this group first came to Branson, I was blown away because I had expected a barbershop group. I like all kinds of music so barbershop wasn’t a problem, but I hadn’t rushed out to see the show because I had a lot of choices ahead of them.
Finally, I decided to give them a try. Another co-worker who happened to be on that trip described them as “Blue Man Group on Steroids.” I had never seen the Blue Man group but understood what he meant and thought it would make a great promotion tag line. Phenomenal comes to mind. You need to keep reminding yourself that there isn’t a band member or instrument on stage. The percussion, the bass, the sound effects, all executed through the human voice. In addition to being talented, they are witty and personable too with just the right amount of banter between songs and a good bit of audience participation. We were not disappointed. SIX had lived up to our expectations, and I am so glad to see they are still performing at the Legends Family Theater on the strip.
Another act oozing with personality is The Twelve Irish Tenors. Twelve young strapping men from all over the world who are either Irish or have some connection with Ireland entertain. They sing like angels and talk like they might have a bit of the devil in them. Unfortunately, the group tours now and is not in Branson. However, there is a show called the Dublin Tenors and Celtic Ladies that might be great fun. You can find them in King’s Castle Theatre April thru December. And with some shows already SOLD OUT, it tells me they must be darn good.
We saw Legends this trip as well, and again, totally blown away. Various impersonators across all styles and ages of music entertain at the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. I thought when the Blues Brothers opened the show, they couldn’t be topped. Then a young, trim Elvis impersonator performed the King’s early hits, and I couldn’t decide who was better, the Blue Brothers or Elvis. Finally, the evening ended with The Temptations and hands down they won with a standing ovation from the crowd. I thought they were better looking than the “real” Temptations and if you closed your eyes you swore you were hearing the authentic group.
The woman who played Marilyn Monroe did a great job and had a lot of competition that night. The audience loved her interaction with an older-gentlemen who she coaxed up on stage. The whole evening was great fun, including the pie and ice cream we had afterward at Billy Bob’s Dairyland, a local place on the strip. That’s Branson, even though they have liquor now and food choices besides biscuits and gravy, you still want to have some of their old-fashioned home-baked goods and ice cream.
It’s the best.
One other performer I need to mention as outstanding is Mickey Gilley. I see the Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee Urban Cowboy Reunion Show is at his theater on the strip. I could not believe Mickey was still performing given he age and several major accidents he has had. Looks like he has been performing since 2010 and will be there again this April and May, and then again September thru December. Even though I am not a big country-western fan, you cannot beat seeing these legends in person. There is a reason they are Stars and when in good health can put on one hell-of-a-show regardless of age. From Roy Clark, to Mel Tillis, to Chuck Berry, to Jim Stafford, to Barbara Mandrell, to Tony Orlando, to Glen Campbell, they have all dazzled me with their talent and energy when live on stage. I’ll definitely put the Mickey Gilley show on the schedule.
Branson has continued to change with the times and the taste of their varied audiences. They offer great family entertainment at very affordable prices in some of the nicest theaters around. One of the dearest venues was the Andy William’s Variety show because it was based on the format of his TV show from the 60s which was one of my favorites as a kid. I saw him last with Ann Margaret and was amazed at how clear his voice was. In 2011, I had planned to see his Christmas show. He was battling bladder cancer and unable to perform. Instead the Osmonds’ and the Lennon Brothers stepped in to do the show. He passed the following September. Andy is a national treasure whose days on stage will be remembered by many of us.
Go to www.exploreBranson.com and start planning your next trip. If you want something special for the holidays Andy Williams Ozark Mountain Christmas hosted by Jimmy Osmond with the Lennon Sisters will by playing November and December.