Factory Merchants Mall will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt as well as a visit from the Easter Bunny this Saturday (March 22nd, 2008) at 10:30 a.m. in the upper courtyard.

The Easter Egg hunt will include thousands of eggs and is open for children 10 and under. There will be a special area set aside for toddlers.

Prizes will be given for the Best Decorated Easter Basket or Bag.

This event is free! For more information please call 417-335-3386. The Factory Merchants Mall is located at 1000 Pat Nash Drive

The tables were turned on Gene Williams on his television show when the guest stars on the March 15 and 16 broadcasts of the Lucas Oil sponsored “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” presented him the key to the city of Horseshoe Bend, Ark.

Williams was surprised by the presentation on air by Horseshoe Bend Mayor Bob Barnes and Melodie Clemmons of the “Music in The Mountains Show” at the Music Mountain Theater. Williams founded the theater some 40 years ago and the key was presented in appreciation of his work to bring significant country entertainment to the resort community during its early development.

“Roy Acuff, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Carlisle, Mickey Gilley, Freddie Hart, Claude King, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins, Del Reeves, Hank Thompson, Buck Trent, Porter Wagoner amd Faron Young are among those who performed on the stage of this historic theater under Gene Williams’ guidance in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Tom T. Hall and Ernest Tubb each performed there three times,” said Clemmons who has worked hard to restore and reopen the theater during the past year.

Clemmons and Barnes also invited Williams to return to the theater in Horseshoe Bend for a Founders Day Show Friday, April 11, in conjunction with Dogwood Days festivities. Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn and the Country Junction Band will make a special appearance on that date in support of the restoration of the theater.

“For tickets to our show with Gene contact the Horseshoe Bend Chamber of Commerce at 870-670-5433, Horseshoe Bend City Hall at 870-670-5113 or B and B Supply in Franklin, Ark. at 870-322-7201. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in advance or at the door,” Clemmons said.

Williams is the star, producer and creator of the weekly television show that takes the entertainment town of Branson to more than 45 million households across the nation and into Canada and Puerto Rico. Most recently Atlanta, Reno, Nev., and Seattle have joined the list of cities where the program is seen. It is the longest running weekly television show in Branson. Recently it was listed as the most popular TV show in national ratings on WNGS Buffalo/Rochester, N.Y., and was listed as a favorite TV show in the national magazine “Maxim.”

Williams’ guests have included Doug Kershaw, Ed McMahon, Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds, Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Fred Travalena, Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ava Barber, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent, Johnny Lee, Gary P. Nunn, Todd Fritch, Ava Barber, Wanda Jackson and Razzy Bailey.

The “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” is taped live in front of a studio audience at Branson Mall at the Gene Williams Theatre on Hwy. 76.

Williams’ career is filled with milestones. He was recently presented the key to his hometown, Dyess, Ark., and a historical marker in appreciation for his support to help preserve the town’s history. A historical building there will be used for a museum recognizing the town’s significance and its former residents, Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash and Williams.
Recently he was recognized for his community commitment to the industry and presented an honorary doctorate degree in television and broadcast communications from St. Martins College. He has also been honored by the states of Arkansas and Missouri for his work in tourism, entertainment and community.

Nominated for induction into two halls of fame, the Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum and the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, Williams has worked with such greats as Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Jack Greene.

Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the “Mickey Gilley Show.” She has worked with Gilley for more than seven years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest stars perform with the Country Junction Band.

For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

The weekly television show featuring Branson, Mo., courtesy of Gene Williams and his Lucas Oil sponsored “Gene Williams Country Television Show” has pushed the number of households to which the show is telecast to 45 million. The newest locations in which it can be seen are Atlanta, Seattle, Reno, Nev., Lafayette, La., and the tri-cities area of Tennessee and Virginia including Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol.

A winner of three 2007 National Telly Awards, the Gene Williams Show features celebrity guest stars such as Mickey Gilley, Ed McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Roy Clark. Celebrities perform with Williams’ band, the Country Junction Band, and are interviewed up-close-and-personal by the legendary Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn.

The new stations that carry the show are Atlanta, WSB/RTN Channel 2.2; Seattle, KIRO/CBS Channel 7; Reno, Nev., KRXI/RTN Channel 11.2; Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia, WKPT/ABC Channel 19; and Lafayette, La., KDCB/RTN on Channel 22. All will be aired Sundays at 9:30 a.m. This follows the 2007 addition of a dozen prime markets and Puerto Rico in 2006.

“We have added new cities where viewers will become Branson fans and enjoy the show’s country music, our comedy and our great band. In the Country Junction Band we have some of the best pickers in Branson and country music. We also have some of the best guest stars,” said Williams whose celebrity line-up is impressive.

In addition to Gilley, McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys and Clark, Williams has welcomed Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three, Doug Kershaw, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, Jimmy Osmond, the Osmonds, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams and Bob Anderson. Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Jim Owen, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Mary Lou Turner, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Buck Trent, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Lee, Fred Travalena and Razzy Bailey have also guest starred on his stage.

The Gene Williams Show, taped live with a studio audience for the past seven years in Branson, is at home at the Branson Hall of Fame Theatre at the Branson Mall on the world famous Hwy. 76. Admission for the studio audience is free and the doors open at 1 p.m. with taping at 2 p.m. Three shows are taped approximately every third Sunday. Taping dates are March 16, April 6 and 27, May 18, June 8 and 22, July 20, Aug. 10 and 31, Sept. 21, Oct. 12 and Nov. 2.

Williams is credited with having the largest syndicated country music television show not affiliated with Nashville (where his show is telecast) and with breaking ground for country television. The Gene Williams Show began in 1963 in Arkansas and is now the longest running television show taped in Branson. In 2006 Williams’ television show was listed as the most popular TV show in national ratings on WNGS Buffalo/Rochester, N.Y. It was also listed as a favorite TV show in the national magazine, “Maxim.”

Williams began his career in the country music field as a DJ on Memphis’ KWAM in 1957 and was named 1961 Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year. Two movies he made about country music featured more than 39 Grand Ole Opry stars including Ray Price, Carl Smith, Jordanaires, Kitty Wells, Little Jimmy Dickens, Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers, Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, Ernest Tubb, June Carter, Bill Monroe, Duke of Paducah and Faron Young.

Williams is an inductee to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and has been nominated to two halls of fame, the Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum and the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame. He holds a record in Arkansas of having nine days proclaimed Gene Williams Day by six governors including three times by former President Bill Clinton. He was honored with a historical marker in his hometown, Dyess, Ark., and presented the key to Dyess in appreciation for his support to help preserve the town’s history. Most recently Williams received a key to Horseshoe Bend, Ark., for founding the Horseshoe Bend Theater where he featured country stars such as Dolly Parton, Mickey Gilley, Porter Wagoner and more.

St. Martins College presented Williams with an honorary doctorate degree in television and broadcast communications in recognition of his commitment to the industry. The Missouri Senate and the State of Arkansas have honored him for his contributions to the tourism industry.

Williams’ co-host Katie Lynn has received the Branson Entertainment Awards Best Support Vocalist twice for her work in the “Mickey Gilley Show.” She has worked with Gilley for more than seven years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent. She and the guest star perform each week with the Country Junction Band.

The show can also be seen in Aberdeen, Miss., Ada, Okla., Albany, N.Y., Alexandria, La., Amory, Miss., Atlanta, Baldwin, Miss., Booneville, Miss., Branson, Mo., Bruce, Miss., Buffalo, N.Y., Burlington, Vt., Cadillac, Mich., Calhoun City, Miss., Casper, Wyo., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cheyenne, Wyo., Coffeyville, Miss., Colorado Springs, Colo., Columbia, S.C., Cornith, Miss., Denison, Texas, Denver, Ecru, Miss., Eldorado, Ark., Eugene, Ore., Eupora, Miss., Eureka Springs, Ark., Fayetteville, Ark., Flynt, Mich., Fort Smith, Ark., Green Bay, Wis., Guntown, Miss., Harrison, Ark., Holly Springs, Miss., Houlka, Miss., Houston, Miss., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jonesboro, Ark., Lafeyette, La., Las Vegas, Nev., Lexington, Ky., Little Rock, Ark., Marianna, Fla., Marquette, Mich., Memphis, Tenn., Mt. Vernon, Ill., Myrtle, Miss., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nashville, Tenn., Nettleton, Miss., New Albany, Miss., Niagara Falls, N.Y., Okolona, Miss., Oxford, Miss., Panama City, Fla, Pittsburgh, Plattsburg, Vt., Pontotoc, Miss., Provo, Utah, Pueblo, Colo., Pullman, Wa.., Raleigh, N.C., Reno, Nev., Ripley, Miss., Roanoke, Va., Rochester, N.Y., Roseberg, Ore., Salt Lake City, Utah, Satillo, Miss., San Francisco, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Santa Barbara, Calif., Savannah, Ga., Seattle, Shannon, Miss., Sherman, Miss., Sherman, Texas, Smithville, Miss., Spokane, Wash., Springfield, Mo., St. Louis, Syracuse, N.Y., Toledo, Ohio, Tri-Cities, Tennessee and Virginia, Tupelo, Miss, Vardaman, Miss., Verona, Miss., Water Valley, Miss., and Waterloo, Iowa.

For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

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April 11th & 12th, 2008 have been designated as Spring Clean-Up days for Taney County residents. Collection times will be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

With proof of residency (photo ID with an address or electric bill, etc) items that will be accepted at no charge are : furniture, appliances, automotive batteries, and nearly anything metal.

Drop off locations will be found at Taney County Transfer Station, 274 Buchanan Rd as well as the Taney County Recycling Center located on Hwy 160.

At the Buchanan address tires will be accepted with a charge of $1.00 (per tire).

This Clean-Up is for residents only and businesses/dealers will be charged a fee. No commercial trash will be accepted at these locations. For more information please call 417-546-7268.

Sponsored by the Branson Christian Business Men’s Committee, the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer. The date for this event is May 1st, 2008.
The host for this years breakfast is Mayor Raeanne Presley and the guest speaker will be Jordan Lorence, Senior Counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund.

This event will be held at the Tri-Lakes Center (2527 Hwy 248) from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Seating is limited. For reservations or more information please call 417-334-1772.

Tickets are $25.00 per person or $175.00 for a table of eight.

#1 Hits of the 60’s will open March 20, 2008 at 8:00 for the 6th season at the Jim Stafford Theatre. Great Groovin’ 60’s music, dance,and a Drive-In Movie too! FUN – FUN – FUN for the whole family.

The Branson High School will be performing their 16th Annual Talent Show March 26th, 2008. The show will feature Branson High School students and will be held at the Legends Theatre.

Tickets are $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child. All proceeds will be donated to the Skaggs Foundation Cancer Treatment Center.

(Branson, MO) The Downtown Branson Main Street Association (DBMA) has hired a lifetime resident of Branson as its executive director.

Dawn Erickson will take on the DBMA responsibilities beginning March 17. Erickson’s background includes editorial management of Tri-Lakes Newspapers in the 1980s when downtown businesses first formed an organization. She became the first director of communications for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and managed publications, public relations and media relations during most of the 1990s.

Subsequent years as a free-lance writer emphasizing tourism and economic development promotion have included film projects as well as many magazine and travel guide projects. With an associate, Erickson helped to produce comprehensive plans and various marketing studies for small government and educational entities in southwest Missouri.

She has twice served as interim director of economic development for Taney County under the direction of the Taney County Industrial Development Authority.

“I am so pleased to become part of the downtown business community,” Erickson said. “Branson’s downtown has always been vital and strong, and it has reinvented itself to stay that way. One of my favorite success stories is how the downtown organization positioned itself as a key tourism attraction as well as the heart of the community when so much media attention was focused on the West 76 ‘Strip.’ The strategy was remarkably successful, and I am aware of how much hard work it takes to support that momentum.”

Erickson said she is looking forward to calling on merchants, service providers and other members of the downtown community to gather their thoughts on community issues, needs and priorities. “I’m a believer in regular communication and lots of research. I will be asking a lot of questions. And I hope the downtown business operators will pick up the phone or call me inside their shops and offices whenever they want to share an idea or express a concern.”

“Erickson’s skills and long history in the Branson area will be valuable to the downtown community,” said DBMA President Jeff Justus. “With a new director in place, we are looking forward to strengthening relationships within the downtown area, and with the city and lakes area community as well.”

(Branson, MO) – After receiving over 200 entries, Branson Bank awarded first and second place prizes from the 5th Annual Hometown Radio Health Fair, presented by Skaggs.

Janis Beth of Forsyth was presented with the first place prize by Cynthia Carson, Marketing Director of Branson Bank, at the Bank’s Hwy 248 location in Branson. Janis received an athletic bag filled with workout goodies (valued over $75) and a $50 savings bond from the bank.

Brenda White of Branson and owner of All About Storage received her second place prize, a jar of Branson Bank cookies and a $50 savings bond, from Becky Blair, Advertising & Public Relations Coordinator.

The Branson Brothers are proud to announce their schedule for the 2008 season. Exciting changes are coming for the new production at the Americana Theatre opening March 12, 2008. Long time fans will appreciate the traditional flavor, while others will delight in the ALL NEW SHOW.

Exciting News! The Branson Brothers are now a quartet. The name became popular during the 1980’s as the first Branson entertainers to be awarded a National Recording Contract and appeared before thousands daily at the Echo Hollow Amphitheater. Today that close harmony and rich tradition is being relived as the show adds two world class entertainers. David Ponder from North Carolina and Seth Dillehay, a bass singer from Nashville, Tennessee join Dee Allen and Jimmy Ponder to make up the new quartet. The eighteen year old Dillehay, famous for his deep, rich bass voice with the world renown Stamps Quartet, will amaze you.

The featured new quartet member is David Ponder, joining the show after appearing in the Gaither Homecoming Shows and their famous Homecoming Videos. Having won several Dove Awards, he is well known for his award winning songs and performing nationally with the Christian group, Ponder, Sykes and Wright before joining the Branson Brothers.

The show, with a completely new format, adds a female vocalist joining Natalie Nicole and Diana Ponder. Ponder, a favorite of Branson visitors, will take on a major new role in the production with background singers and new instrumentation supporting her fabulous talent. Former musicians will be joined by a new horn section, utility player, keyboard player and lead guitar player.

Comedy will bring side splitting laughter with the antics of Perry Edenburn, one of the funniest characters on stage today.

“This is exciting,” said Jimmy Ponder, producer of the new show. Adding, “it’s always been my dream to perform with my brother and produce a big show like this. The Americana Theatre is perfect for our show and we look forward to an exciting year.”

Your guests are sure to proclaim this as “One of the best NEW shows in town.” We personally invite you to join us at the show or stop by to see us anytime during the day.

We appreciate your loyal support and look forward to serving you and entertaining your guests throughout the year.