It’s been over 30 years since Jim Owen portrayed Hank Williams Sr. in his PBS special “Hank” and this week on the Lucas Oil sponsored “Gene Williams Country Music Television Show” Owen is honored for his work with a gold record. The awards just keep coming when Williams is also surprised with one presented to him from his fans.

The gold record awards are made by Nashville’s Ken Kittinger of Creative Award Designs who has made gold records for the likes of former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, George Strait, Earl Thomas Conley, Willie Nelson, Epic Records, CBS, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie McDowell, Charly McClain, Exile and the Jack Daniels distillery.

Kittinger presented Williams’ award on behalf of his fans for having the “best traditional country music show in America,” and “Jim’s award is one that just slipped through the cracks and it is well deserved. It gives me great pleasure to present it to him,” he said. Owen won an Emmy for his PBS special that was voted public television’s best show of the year in 1977. In addition to the PBS portrayal of Hank, Williams also portrayed the legend in two movies.

Charlie Daniels called Owen a country music superstar and many country superstars have recorded his hit songs. “Louisiana Women, Mississippi Man” was recorded by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. Mel Tillis recorded “Too Lonely Too Long” among others. Charlie Pride, Cal Smith, Tommy Cash, George Jones, Charlie Louvin, Melba Montgomery, Waylon Jennings and Eddy Arnold and Owen himself have recorded his original songs.

Also on this show Johnny Lee stops in to visit with Williams, Owen and Katie Lynn, Williams’ co-host. Lee is making country music history by starring in his own show that will open Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Gene Williams Theatre, the former Branson Hall of Fame Theatre, at the Branson Mall. Tickets are on sale at the box office of the theater recently opened by Williams where his weekly television show is taped live before a studio audience and where he is now showcasing several live shows: Mark Aldred Variety Show at 10 a.m., The Sweethearts of Branson at 2 p.m. and through Aug. 30 Real Country with Wally Barbee and Warren Farren at 8 p.m.

The broadcast with Owen and Lee of Williams’ syndicated TV series was May 17 and 18.

Williams’ television 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, Charlie Louvin, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent and Wanda Jackson.

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 eight 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 weekly on the television show with the Country Junction Band.

For more information please call 417-334-4400.

Since the early 1900s the Branson Fire Department has provided fire and life safety services and now the community it serves has an opportunity to give back on May 17-18 in the Jubilee parking lot 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Branson Fire Department and Auxiliary are hosting a fund-raiser with all the proceeds going to several funds to help firefighters in their time of need. Funds include Branson Firefighters Association, Branson Firefighters Auxiliary, Branson Fire Rescue Honor Guard, E.F.F.O.R.T. (Every Firefighter Offering Relief Together) and C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team).

Classic and non-classic fire trucks from across Missouri will be on display such as Branson Fire Department’s 1937 Dodge Pumper 3 M Series. Prizes will be given to antique fire truck owners for Best of Show (voted on by the public), furthest traveled, oldest working and more.

Among the events are local vendors and prize drawings and refreshments sponsored by the Branson Fire Department and Auxiliary. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday is Johnsonville brats and Sunday is Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Que. Donation drawing items include a one night stay at La Quinta, a 32-inch flat screen HDTV, one free haircut at City Styles, a Stihl leaf blower, Bass Pro Merchandise worth $150- barbecue smoker package, rod and reel and more. Anyone wishing to donate items may contact Chris Ely at 417-598-9420 or Brandi Ely at 417-230-8118.

Junior Firefighter Challenge for ages 8-12 will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a new challenge starting on the hour and one heap every hour.

Local performers will provide entertainment noon-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. To date members of American/Arkansas Kids Inc., American Kids alumae Brandi Ely and Wendy Keith, and performers from the Gene Williams Theatre are on the schedule.

Branson Fire Department is dedicated to teamwork, communication and professional career development to provide prompt and reliable fire and life safety services to the residents and visitors of Branson. It was organized in the early 1900s and was volunteer until 1993. The first piece of motorized apparatus was obtained in 1927 and a rural fire service was established in the mid-1950s. In late 1996 Station #2 opened, in 1999 Station #3 opened and Station #4 is being proposed to open soon.

In addition to fire protection the Branson Fire Department provides public education, maintains a benevolent fund to help visitors and residents in times of need and operates volunteer programs. Other programs include Storm Ready for weather emergencies, continuing education and training programs and the Honor Guard that participates in 10 to 14 events per year, both fire, and non-fire related.

-30-

“Lookin’ for Love” Johnny Lee will star in his own show beginning in September in the new Gene Williams Theatre in Branson and recently announced that the tickets will be only $15 a person.

“That’s an amazing price for this level of entertainment in Branson or anywhere else. Johnny Lee has had top hits on Billboard charts and numerous concert, television and Grand Ole Opry appearances,” said Gene Williams who showcases his own TV show in the Gene Williams Theatre along with several other live shows.

The Gene Williams Theatre (formerly Branson Hall of Fame Theatre) is located in the Branson Mall (2206 W. Hwy. 76) on the world famous Highway 76 in the entertainment town that Johnny Lee calls home.

Lee said, “This price for my concert which will run through Sept. 2-Dec. 15 is a recession proof price. In spite of rising prices and no matter what the price of a barrel of oil this fall, I am sticking with a $15 ticket for anyone who wants to see my Branson show.”

Lee will open on Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Gene Williams Theatre and present concerts Monday through Saturday through Dec. 15. Tickets are on sale now at the Gene Williams Theatre Box Office at 417-335-4400. For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

Having his own show in Branson is a first for Johnny Lee and Branson although he has guest starred on many Branson stages. Lee, who is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, had his own band in high school. He took time out to serve his country in the Navy and then worked with his friend Mickey Gilley, appeared in several television roles and then was asked to perform in the film, “Urban Cowboy.” His “Lookin’ For Love” from that film and soundtrack spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard country music singles charts as #1 and #2 on the pop music singles charts. He followed that with a string of Top 10 hits, numerous television appearances, appearing on the Grande Ole Opry and recorded several albums.

In addition to “Lookin’ For Love” his hits include “One In A Million,” “Bet Your Heart On Me,” “The Yellow Rose (a duet with Lane Brody),” “You Could’ve Heard a Heart Break,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers,” “Prisoner of Hope,” “Be There for Me Baby,” “Cherokee Fiddle,” “Sounds Like Love,” “Hey Bartender” and “Rollin’ Lonely.”

His TV appearances include “Fantasy Island,” “ChiPS,” “The Fall Guy” and “The A-Team.”

Branson, MO —The Best Western Music Capital Inn in Branson, Missouri has received the Best Western Chairman’s Award, the hotel chain’s highest honor for outstanding quality standards. The Chairman’s Award recognizes Best Western International hotels with a cleanliness and maintenance inspection score of over 950 points out of a possible 1,000. Hotels must also meet Best Western’s requirements for design and high customer service scores to qualify for the award.

“Receiving the Chairman’s Award from Best Western is a tremendous honor,” explains Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels. “This award demonstrates the Best Western Music Capital Inn team’s commitment to providing quality accommodations for our guests. Our housekeeping and maintenance departments have worked hard to achieve this level of excellence.”

The Best Western Music Capital Inn is directly across from the Shoji Tabuchi Theater, Branson’s most popular show, with several other theaters and restaurants within walking distance. The Best Western Music Capital Inn exudes the intimate and personal atmosphere of a small, boutique hotel while providing the amenities and benefits of a large hotel. This combination creates a lodging experience sure to satisfy and lure guests into relaxation. The hotel offers numerous amenities such as their indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, game room, exercise room, gift shop and free deluxe continental breakfast.

“We are excited that the staff has achieved this award once again. The Best Western Music Capital Inn has consistently been one of the top Best Westerns in the country. The hotel has achieved this award several times in the past” said Chris Myer, VP of Marketing. “As a part of the world’s largest hotel chain we get inspected several times a year. This is an opportunity for us to further understand how we compete with hotels across the country as well as have an independent inspector provide feedback to us. This helps us continually improve.

About Myer Hotels
In the lodging business for 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for over 24 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows and Comfort Inn West. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area.

Every Saturday night between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, we clear the dining room floor at Playtime Pizza and Dance, Dance, Dance!

Line Dance – Patterned Partner Dancing
Country Two-Step and the Waltz
For beginners and the more experienced dancers.

The evening is hosted by Bob & Sandy Hughes. They will help you learn all the latest steps.

Come join us at Playtime Pizza. The only cost is the price of our buffet.

Come have dinner — “Let your hair down” “Kick your heels up” and Let’s have a little Fun!!!