As he moves into his eighth year of taping the Lucas Oil Products sponsored Gene Williams Country Music Television Show live in Branson, Mo., Gene Williams is moving his show to the 50’s at the Hop Theatre beginning with the Sunday, Feb. 15 taping.

The move also marks Williams’ celebration of more than a half century of working in country music – his first job was on KWAM radio as a disk jockey – and more than four decades of country music television – he blazed a trail in country music television beginning in the late 1960s on KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, Ark., and KARK-TV in Little Rock.

“I’m looking forward to being in one of the newest and nicest theatres in Branson. I am looking forward to a long relationship at this new, state-of-the-art theatre,” said Williams.

The 50’s at the Hop Theatre is located in the Branson Meadows Mall, 4230 N. Gretna Rd., 417-335-5300.

As part of the celebration an extended list of door prizes will be given away on Feb. 15. The first 50 will receive dinners at the world’s largest Golden Corral in Branson and the next 200 families will receive Lucas Oil caps. Doors open at 1 p.m. for the first taping of three shows at 2 p.m. Following the tapings, everyone upon exiting the theatre will be given an apple courtesy of the Black Apple Man from Leslie, Ark.

Williams is the star, producer and creator of his weekly television show that is seen across the nation and into Canada and Puerto Rico in more than 90 markets and broadcast to more than 60 million households. Williams will announce the addition of 22 more stations soon.

In addition to Feb. 15, shows are taped approximately every third Sunday. Set on the schedule are March 8 and 29, April 19, May 10 and 17, June 14, July 12, Aug. 2 and 16, and Sept. 13.

The Gene Williams Country Music Television Show is the longest running weekly television show in Branson and was listed as the most popular TV show in national ratings on WNGS Buffalo/Rochester, N.Y., and as a favorite TV show in the national magazine “Maxim.”

Williams and his co-host Katie Lynn interview guests in an up-close-and-personal format and the guests and Katie Lynn perform with Williams’ band, the Country Junction Band. Guests have included Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Doug Kershaw, Ed McMahon, 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, the Blackwoods, Wanda Jackson and Razzy Bailey.

In recognition of Williams’ country music career, he holds an honorary doctorate degree in television and broadcast communications from St. Martins College and has also been honored by the states of Arkansas and Missouri for his work in tourism, entertainment and community.

He recently had a road named after him by his hometown of Dyess, Ark. This followed a 2007 presentation of the key to the city 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 and in 2008 he was the grand marshal for the Christmas parade.

Williams also was presented the key to the city of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., for his work to bring significant country entertainment to the resort community during its early development and April 11 will be celebrated as Gene Williams Day.

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 eight years and also worked with Jim Owen for seven years. In addition to her singing career, she is a real estate agent.

For more information go to the website genewilliamscountry.com.

American Kids Inc., the nation’s only little league of entertainers, is holding open auditions for the 2009 children’s cast of its patriotic musical Raising America at the Branson Mall Theatre on Jan. 31 (inclement weather date Feb. 7.

Registration, on site, opens at 12:30 p.m. in the theatre’s lobby. Singers, dancers, boys and girls, ages 8-18, are needed.

“The show has more than 25 appearances booked in Branson for 2009. This is a great opportunity for young people to share their talent gifts for the benefit of others as many of the shows are for the nation’s veterans,” said American Kids Inc. Founder Dr. Dale Smith, who along with his wife, Kathy, are rebuilding and managing the cast of singers and dancers. Brandi Ely, an alumna of American Kids Inc., will assist them.

Smith, a retired Air Force Major and a seasoned entertainer, created Raising America as an avenue for young people to develop a personal sense of patriotism and, through this exciting, fast-paced, original music show, share their talents with all types of audiences from veterans groups to mall shoppers.

“We teach patriotism and all that it entails honor, respect, loyalty, commitment, courage, self-discipline and faith,” Smith said. “After seeing a past stage show, a veteran of three tours of conflict came up to the cast and said, ‘You kids were worth all I’ve been through, I served for you.’ The stunned and grateful cast gathered in prayer backstage with an even deeper commitment to show their appreciation to those who have been in military service.”

For more information and pre-registration call Brenda Hoffstatter at the national office at 417-337-8964.

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The 27-year-old American Kids Inc. is the nation’s only ‘little league’ of entertainers celebrating what’s right about America promoting drug-free lifestyles, patriotism and community service. The group’s founder, Dr. Dale Smith, holds a doctorate in administration-education and masters in music education. Young people, ages 3 to high school seniors join American Kids just like adults join a civic club. In the program, they find a peer group all involved in making a difference in the world by using the performing arts as the vehicle. Competition is held on a local to state to national level. Shows range from fairs, festivals and theme parks on a national and international scale to the touring cast of Raising America, a patriotic musical. Members enjoy exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life. Many members are performing on Broadway and on tour, with Disney and in Branson and Nashville: Kristin Chenoweth, Bryan White, Jarrod Neimann and Blake Shelton are alumni. The group is affiliated with Ed McMahon, Barbara Fairchild, Randy Earhart and Taco Mayo, Steve Weyher and Golden Corral.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/26/09

BRANSON, MO. – Branson’s first and only Internet radio network, BRANSON WORLD RADIO, is pleased to announce the welcome addition of the Cromwell Radio Group to its growing list of air radio affiliates. With their main studios at WMCI(FM) in Mattoon, Illinois, Cromwell Radio is a group of 23 radio stations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and will be broadcasting “BWR Newsradio” to their listeners, as part of our national Branson vacation promotion.

“BWR Newsradio”, a locally produced News program, is a daily 5 minute feature on the events and happenings in Branson, and the Ozarks of S.W. Missouri AND N.W. Arkansas. The focus of “BWR Newsradio” is on the special shows, guest stars, area events and developments across the Ozarks. In addition to the hourly web casts on BRANSON WORLD RADIO, “BWR Newsradio” is broadcast on air radio stations in key market areas throughout the Midwest.

Rated as the #2 Hot Country Radio Station on the Internet, BRANSON WORLD RADIO is heard over the “Live365” Network. With thousands of stations and more than 4 million listeners a month, Live365 is the world’s largest Internet radio network. Live365 is a two-time winner of the Best Radio Website Award from the Web Marketing Association, a two-time winner of the People’s Voice award for Best Music Site at the Webby Awards (2001, 2002), a winner of the Webby’s People’s Voice Award for Best Radio Site (2004), and has received Best-of-Web designations from Forbes.com and the San Francisco Chronicle. Since 1999, BRANSON WORLD RADIO now serves air radio stations in more than 50 markets, and has established a loyal Internet fan base in 43 states and 33 countries around the world.

Find out more about this powerful marketing opportunity for the 2009 season by contacting us through the BWR website at www.bransonworldradio.com, Email at [email protected], or call us at (870) 743-1311.

Just as a reminder, we are beginning our monthly Partners in Education meetings this Wednesday, February 4th from 2:30 – 3:30 pm at the Taney County Airport. These meetings will be similar to the Partners in Progress, but we will be discussing upcoming education related issues.

Rob Dixon, Director, Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, 417.334.3050