Plans are finalized for the 15th Billboard World Song Contest Awards Presentation Show & Performance on March 29, 2008 at Mansion America Theatre in Branson, MO.

First Place Winners, All Categories, will be invited to receive their award and perform their winning song onstage in front of music industry professionals, theatre owners and talent buyers.

EXTRA!!! In addition to the Billboard prizes, for the first time, from the live performance, a $5,000 Grand Prize winner, Runner-up ($1,500), and a second runner-up ($1,000), will be selected by industry jury. It furthers your chance to be seen, heard and discovered.

The Billboard World Song Contest opens 15th Annual Contest. Winners receive over $30,000 in prizes of equipment, merchandise and promotion.

The top three winners in each of the eleven categories will have their song featured on a CD that is distributed exclusively to music industry decision makers — record company heads, producers, A&R executives, music publishers, important artists and celebrities, agents, managers and others in the music industry. They listen!

This contest offers unparalleled exposure for up-and-coming songwriters. It's the songwriter's springboard to success.
Last year's Country song winners, Stephen Desjardins, Lisa Firestone and Charles Harn landed a publishing deal for their song "When He Comes Home to Her". First place Pop winners Peter Roberts and Ron Boustead's song, "Fearless", has been placed in the soon-to-be-released motion picture "Bratz".

Song categories are: Rock/Alt Rock, Pop, Country, Latin, Folk/Americana, Jazz, Contemporary Christian/Gospel, R&B/Blues, Dance, Rap/HipHop and World. New category Electronica/Soundtrack seeks entries to this growing niche.

Besides Billboard Magazine, sponsors include: CASIO, D'Addario Strings, TAXI-The Independent A&R Vehicle, Indie Band Manager, Discmakers, BluBlocker Sunglasses, GoGirlsMusic.com, The Halsey Institute and online song submission partner Sonicbids at www.sonicbids.com.

Further details and entry forms can be found at www.billboardsongcontest.com. Write us at Billboard Song Contest, P.O. Box 470306, Tulsa, OK, 74147. Call 918-624-2100 or 918-827-6529, or email [email protected].

Saturday, October 13 at 6:30 PM

Keith, Diana Lynn and “Bobby” will be performing a variety of music, from Country and Pop to Gospel.

Keith has performed in LasVegas, New York, and all across the United States, doing many tribute shows to such great artists as Elvis, Neil Diamond, Conway Twitty, Julio Iglesias, and many more. Diana has the pure “Olivia Newton John” sound you’re going to love, and little “Bobby Darin”, (his real name, by the way), recognized as the world’s youngest Elvis, will steal your hearts.

Don’t miss this fun-filled family show!
Admission is just the cost of our Buffet.

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2007 Branson Area Festival of Lights. Beginning on November 1 and all aglow through December 31, this year's drive-through will be located at Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway Lane, close to the new Sight & Sound Theatre.

Experience the magic of an Ozark Mountain Christmas with the Branson Area Festival of Lights 2007 as all of Branson sparkles for the holidays. From fabulous Christmas shows and dazzling lights to spectacular shopping and breathtaking scenic beauty, Branson is a special gift for everyone in your family at this festive time of year.

The centerpiece, Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, will delight children of all ages. Your journey begins with a magical 1-mile drive along a path aglow with over 120 displays. Conveniently located off of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway at Expressway Lane, this one-of-a-kind family experience promises to be memorable.

Also in the Branson/Lakes Area you can enjoy extraordinary Christmas lighting displays at Silver Dollar City's Old Time Christmas celebration, the Enchanted Forest on Indian Point Rd. and the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills.
Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through is open daily November 1 through December 31, 2007 from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:00 pm through 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday.

Admission fees for 2007 are $50 for full-size motorcoaches, $25 for mini-coaches (12-28 seats), church vans and limos while family vehicles are $10. Prepaid vouchers for motorcoaches are available by contacting Lenni Niemeyer at 417-334-4084, ext. 305. For a complete list of shows, attractions and events in Branson at this most wonderful time of the year, visit the website at www.explorebranson.com or call the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 214-3661.

Thirty-two years is a long time to be in one place! Please join Gerken & Associates Realtors in celebration of the completion of our office renovation as we honor our past and move towards our future.

When: October 17th, 2007
Where: 1157 West Highway 76 (next to Mazzio’s Pizza)
Time: 4 pm to 6 pm
Ribbon Cutting: 4 pm

Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and good times provided. Please RSVP Carol at [email protected] or 417.334.1892.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Branson, Missouri — Kids who think they can cut the mustard are invited to audition at the Oscar Mayer/American Idol "Sing the Jingle, Be a Star" Nationwide Talent Contest at the World's Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction in Branson Oct. 6-9, 2007. The Grand Prize winner will have an opportunity to star in a national Oscar Mayer TV commercial, attend the 2008 American Idol Finale Performance Show in Los Angeles, and take home $5,000 in cash!

"With all the talent here, we thought what better place to host a nationwide talent search than Branson," said Mary Kellogg Joslyn, museum attraction co-owner. "We'd love to see this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity go to someone from our area," she said.

The famous yellow and orange 27-foot hotdog on wheels, the Oscar Mayer WienerMobileâ„¢, will be on location Oct. 6-9 at the TITANIC Museum Attraction, the official audition headquarters for the Branson area. Guests of all ages are invited to hop on board the 14,000-lb. traveling icon to explore its condiment-splattered carpet, ketchup walkway, hotdog-shaped dashboard, and computerized control panel with a sound system to relish, during this free outdoor event.

Kids aged 6 and older who wish to audition should come prepared to impress the judges with their best version of one of the Oscar Mayer Jingles: the Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle© (“I Wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener”), the Bologna Song© (“My bologna has a first name”), the Oscar Mayer Spanish Wiener Jingle© (“Cuando quiero algo bueno y sabroso”) or the Oscar Mayer Spanish Ham Jingle (“Yo le canto a mi jamon Oscar Mayer”). Visit www.singthejingle.com for complete jingle lyrics and contest rules.

Audition Dates & Times

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 & Sunday, Oct. 7
• Noon to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8 & Tuesday, Oct. 9

For more information on this and other interactive special events coming to the World's Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction, call (417) 334-9500 or visit www.titanicbranson.com.

The World's Largest TITANIC Museum Attraction is Branson's new landmark tourist destination. The 17,000 square foot, ship-shaped structure – built half scale to Titanic's original size – towers more than 100 feet above its anchored position on Highway 76. A 90-minute, self-guided tour covers 20 galleries on two decks where more than 400 priceless artifacts that once belonged to Titanic's passengers or crew are on display. None of the artifacts were retrieved from the ocean's floor.

Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days showcasing world-class performers, local arts and culture, and authentic Branson fare. BransonFest welcomes spring with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer —
and all in one location!

Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater complex. At the daily "Big Shows" inside, you can sample some of Branson's best shows each day. If you attend all the Big Shows, you'll sample at least 50, yes, 50 shows! No wonder this festival has been named a "Top 100" Event in North America by the American Bus Association since 2004!

The five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 8th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds and the first "Big Show" is in the American Bandstand Theatre at 7:00 pm. Wednesday thru Saturday, the outdoor activities begin at 9 a.m. and the daily "Big Shows" are at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. Big Show group ticket price, including tax, is $28 per show.

And if that's not enough to whet your appetite, the daily outdoor activities in the Real American Entertainment Tent and the Hospitality, Business and Arts tents are free and open to the public. BransonFest 2008 is your chance to sample the multi-dimensional experience that Branson offers its more than seven million visitors annually.

Outdoor Activities

The Real American Entertainment Tent features outstanding entertainment all day long! Enjoy a variety of performances and local talent from Branson's shows and organizations — and there's no admission charge.
In the Taste of Branson Food Tent, Branson's finest eating establishments offer for purchase a variety of local and traditional dishes. From ribs to pizza, soup, sandwiches or a Vigilante Taco — be prepared to enjoy! The Food Tent Stage has special presentations highlighting food and entertainment.

The Hospitality and Business Expo Tent features over 70 booths with representatives from area theaters, attractions, businesses and several area civic organizations. They're there to answer your questions about everything that's new with the shows and entertainment at their venues. Enter to win prizes and even visit with your favorite Branson entertainers, one-on-one, during special autograph sessions.

The Arts, Culture & Heritage Tent, sponsored by the Branson Arts Council, showcases Ozark Mountain Art, culture and history. Nationally recognized local artists display and often demonstrate their unique craftsmanship. Meet a featured artist, author or musician at daily autograph sessions.

BransonFest Streetmosphere is featured throughout the festival in the outdoor courtyard area between the tents. Dance troupes, magic acts, special demonstrations, and costumed characters entertain during the beautiful spring days of BransonFest. Children's activities are featured on Saturday.

Nature is on display, too!

BransonFest celebrates spring — a special time of renewal in America's Live Entertainment Capital. Branson, Missouri, is nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains where Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show with brilliant displays of flowering trees (dogwood, redbud, Bradford pear) and bushes (forsythia, crepe myrtle, lilac) contrasting against the dark green cedars and beginning-to-leaf-out trees. There's also a plethora of colorful flowers dotting the landscape, signaling the annual period of rebirth and renewal in the Ozarks. It's also the perfect time to explore scenic nature trails, walking paths and shorelines of area lakes and recreational facilities.

Big Shows Mean Big Entertainment!

BransonFest is a great opportunity to sample the best of Branson and decide for yourself what you'll want to come back and enjoy even more of in 2008! Tent and Outdoor Activities are free. For individual tickets to the daily Big Shows in the American Bandstand Theatre and updates on the daily entertainer lineups, go online to BransonFest.org or call 877-588-1957.

Starts Nov 2nd, 2007
Get ready for some Holiday Cheer as the Ghosts of Christmas
Past, Present & Future help Scrooge find his Groove in this very special “#1 HITS OF THE 60’s Christmas Carol”. You’ll enjoy the fabulous Cast & Band performing 100% LIVE renditions of some of the biggest chart-topping hits from the 1960’s.You'll here Ol' Marley do "Chain of Fools", and, The Ghost of Christmas Present will sing, "These Boots Were Made for Walking" just to name a couple. A unique and fabulous combination of Christmas Spirit and groovin’ 60's music & dance! Other songs in the Christmas Show include "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf, "Let's Hang On" by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, "Let It Be" by the Beatles, plus many more. And of course some traditional Christmas Carols. The Christmas Show is one hour with the second half being our regular season show. A unique look at the Classic Christmas Carol with a 60's Twist.
Call for Reservations 800-677-8533
Nita Tate — Group Sales call 866-339-1960

BRANSON, MO – Folks who visit Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede during the Christmas season will be amazed by the unbelievable transformation. Opening Wednesday, October 24th, Christmas at Dixie Stampede converts the dinner and show into a beautiful holiday spectacular. From the festive show theme and the full-scale live nativity scene including camels, donkeys and sheep to the gorgeous decorations throughout the building and the warmth of traditional holiday music.

Back by popular demand this year, Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show adds a touch of grace to the holidays with a special performance by professional Adagio ice skaters, Alicia Cavanaugh & Michal Przyk.

Alicia is a USA triple gold medalist (singles, pairs & moves-in-the-field) and was a US National team member in 2001. She accepted her first professional contract in 2002 and since then Alicia has performed as a principal soloist around the world including shows such as Holiday on Ice, Festival on Ice and on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise line ships to name a few. Michal (known as Mikki) is from Poland and was a Polish National Dance competitor for several years. Mikki also toured with Holiday on Ice as a dance pair soloist and has also been featured in productions in the USA, Germany and throughout Eastern Western Europe. Combined, their style, grace and strength are becoming well known throughout the professional skating world. Alicia’s and Mikki’s goals for the future include seeing the world and entertaining audiences together for years to come!

“We wanted to give families more joyful entertainment during the Christmas season,” says owner, Dolly Parton. “The special effects like the ice skaters and live nativity scene really bring the holiday season to life. I can’t wait for folks to experience this year’s Christmas show – it’s going to be great.”

Christmas at Dixie features a seasonal twist with a friendly rivalry between the North and South Poles full of equestrian feats, graceful riders, and audience participation games like wreath tossing and a stick reindeer race. The 90-minute production is highlighted with ice skaters descending from the ceiling on a specially designed skating platform and gliding under the stars to a brisk holiday soundtrack.

Celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus is brought to life with Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and a living nativity of live camels, donkeys, and sheep. In addition, Santa himself makes an appearance in his sleigh, as Dixie’s 1100-seat arena is transformed into a winter wonderland of fresh fallen snow.

Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is complimented by a holiday feast of a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked barbecue pork loin, herb-basted potato, buttery corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuit, and an apple turnover for dessert.

Christmas at Dixie Stampede runs October 24th, 2006 through December 31st, 2007. One ticket price includes the Carriage Room pre-show, the main arena Christmas At Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show and a collector series Souvenir Boot Mug with a speciality soft drink.

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction originated in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 1988, as Dolly’s premier dinner and show experience featuring horses, equestrian thrills and audience participation on a grand scale. The company has since added locations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Branson, Missouri and Orlando, Florida.

For more information or reservations please call early, 1-800-520-5544, or visit the Dixie Stampede website at dixiestampede.com.

The 9th Annual Jingle Bell Charity Gala, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks is Saturday November 17, 2007 at the Chateau on the Lake. This elegant evening begins at 6:00 pm, and includes a silent auction and sumptuous dinner followed by a fabulous live auction. Over 400 people attend this event each year. All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks, which provided after school, summer and sports programs to over 1,000 youth last year. The Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks serves youth ages 6-18 at its Shirley M. Schaefer Unit in Branson, the Lake Taneycomo Elks Club Unit in Forsyth, and its Extension Site in the Reeds Spring Elementary School. Call today to request your invitation!